We are stuffs as dreams are made on and our little life is rounded with sleep. Why are dreams important to us even after we wake up? Why do they linger in our minds? Because, we are made up of dreams. Hang on, isn't reality all that matters? Sure it does, but what is real? What we see or feel or touch or hear — but these are electrical impulses or signals send to the brain. These are what we perceive as 'real'. Remember Morpheus in The Matrix.
It's very diffult to be sure of what's a dream. And when are we dreaming. Which world is real and what's our imaginary space? When we think we wake up, do we really wake up or start dreaming a new dream? The only difference is that this reality 'dream' has a connection. Everyday, it's a new story. There's a consistency in the plot and the characters. It's like a programme. Everyday, you can predict a bit, but there's always an element of surprise.
Our conventional dreams are irratic, haphazard and random. But we are connected to it. We react to it just as we do to a real life situations. We cry, feel good and sometimes scream in fear — nightmare. If these dreams are so unreal why does our rational mind react to these impulses.
So, should we accept this world as real just because it's programmed to match perfectly our beliefs or the given data that is fed by someone into our systems? Or should we think and focus more on our real dreams? We should try to find out if that is the real world and not a dream then what are we? And who is programming us?
If god is a super power, he might as well be an alien trying to keep us away from reality in a fake world. If it's all in the mind we can use the conventional dream to sneak peek into the other reality or the real world, maybe.
So, next time you dream, be there.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
Wild Wild West — The Budget Saga
"When you shoot, you shoot, don’t talk." Remember, the Clint Eastwood starrer 1966 epic The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. It reminded me of P Chidambaram-starrer Union Budget 2007-08. Strange, but couldn't help it. Why? See, the run-up to the Budget is like a treasure hunt with every word of PC (even his gestures) are taken as clues. Corporate India, Common Man and Left-backed Common Minimum Programme (CMP) are the three contenders. Don’t call them good, back or ugly. Please. Each one eyes the treasure, the key to which belongs to PC.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly tells the story of three men seeking a fortune in buried coins, the catch being that no single one of them knows the exact location. At one stage of the film, one knows the name of the grave the coins are buried in, the other two know only the name of the graveyard. Well a clear case illustrating modern day mantra — Information Is The King. The contenders only have bits of information and ideally needed to team up to get the spoil. This way they could have easily avoided all the bloodshed and pain. Unfortunately, they fight and the fittest survives — Darwin still rules the globe. If we look closely the three contenders in our case also have bits and pieces of information and the one with the key data will come out as the winner.
A closer look will tell you that the areas of interest of the three actually overlap. Surprised? See, the CMP is basically for the Common Man but the latter is reluctant to believe that. He actually thinks that there are high chances that the CMP may hold back the economy and if that happens, he will be the ultimate sufferer. Well, globalisaton and free market economy are not that bad and isn't rocket science for our Common Man to understand. He also believes that corporates should be given support and help they need to compete globally. But, that can't be at the cost of the Common Man's income. He's happy with the support as long as his income is not axed.
Our second contender, CMP, believes it's fighting for the Common Man. Of course, it is for, by and of the people. It understands the needs of the Common Man better that he does. And it knows that Corporate India will exploit him for its bottomline.
Finally, Corporate India, which only understands profits, fails to realise what's the need for CMP. It's a free market and the fittest will survive. And with competition and takeovers reaching global standards, the great Indian takeover as they say, the economy will grow at a fast pace and Common Man will only gain in a booming economy. So, what's the problem with them growing?
So, our contenders don't really hate each other, like the movie, but are confused. This, in effect, confuses PC.
The treasure here is the document that PC will unveil on February 28. The reformer, we are sure, knows that the spoil belongs to all the three. There's no Clint Eastwood here. As a matter of fact, here all the three are the heros. So. lets see how PC, the star of this version of the Italian epic spaghetti Western, has scripted the ending of the saga. I am sure, when he’ll shoot, he will shoot and will talk too.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly tells the story of three men seeking a fortune in buried coins, the catch being that no single one of them knows the exact location. At one stage of the film, one knows the name of the grave the coins are buried in, the other two know only the name of the graveyard. Well a clear case illustrating modern day mantra — Information Is The King. The contenders only have bits of information and ideally needed to team up to get the spoil. This way they could have easily avoided all the bloodshed and pain. Unfortunately, they fight and the fittest survives — Darwin still rules the globe. If we look closely the three contenders in our case also have bits and pieces of information and the one with the key data will come out as the winner.
A closer look will tell you that the areas of interest of the three actually overlap. Surprised? See, the CMP is basically for the Common Man but the latter is reluctant to believe that. He actually thinks that there are high chances that the CMP may hold back the economy and if that happens, he will be the ultimate sufferer. Well, globalisaton and free market economy are not that bad and isn't rocket science for our Common Man to understand. He also believes that corporates should be given support and help they need to compete globally. But, that can't be at the cost of the Common Man's income. He's happy with the support as long as his income is not axed.
Our second contender, CMP, believes it's fighting for the Common Man. Of course, it is for, by and of the people. It understands the needs of the Common Man better that he does. And it knows that Corporate India will exploit him for its bottomline.
Finally, Corporate India, which only understands profits, fails to realise what's the need for CMP. It's a free market and the fittest will survive. And with competition and takeovers reaching global standards, the great Indian takeover as they say, the economy will grow at a fast pace and Common Man will only gain in a booming economy. So, what's the problem with them growing?
So, our contenders don't really hate each other, like the movie, but are confused. This, in effect, confuses PC.
The treasure here is the document that PC will unveil on February 28. The reformer, we are sure, knows that the spoil belongs to all the three. There's no Clint Eastwood here. As a matter of fact, here all the three are the heros. So. lets see how PC, the star of this version of the Italian epic spaghetti Western, has scripted the ending of the saga. I am sure, when he’ll shoot, he will shoot and will talk too.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Kiranas Forever
Super-powered supermarkets are taking over by storm. But, unlike the perfect storm, it's not able to wash away the little corner shops better known as kirana stores. Long live the great Indian middle class, and perhaps, longer lived are these stores.
Human factor coupled with convenience makes these stores a part of the common man's daily life. These Shuklajis, Mishrajis and Hasmukhbhais (the store owners) mean more to us than mere shop owners. Have you ever wondered what's the name of a salesperson in a supermart? They know you personally, ask about your family, well-being and are also ready to give you credit, if you want. "No issues, you can pay later," they'll quip and quickly open your account.
The growing Indian middle class can't live without them. Though they are regular supermart-goers, but they will also frequent a Manoj's Multi-purpose Store, for instance. Unfortunately, the store owners aren't very secure about their long-term existence.
I quizzed a few kirana store owners across the city. What would they do if suddenly a supermart comes up just beside their store? Whether they have any defence mechanism like a cartel to resist it? Or, do they have a strategy like changing the product mix or starting a price war to tackle them? Or are they confident that their loyal customers won't let them down?
A majority of them admitted that they fear supermarkets may eventually throw them out of business. And if you shop in bulk, they lose out on the best buys that the retail chains offer. But, their doomsday won't come in the near future, kirana owners feel. They are confident on the long-term ties they have developed with the clients i.e. on the human bondage.
"It's a matter of trust that we share with our customers. Most of them have their accounts open with us and they pay us at their convenience. Moreover, they know me by my name. I don't think they can ever develop such a relationship with a supermarket," says Ganesh, owner of Tirupati Supermart in Kandivali (what's in a name).
Well, besides trust on loyalists and the human factor some also have faith in the almighty. Says Aziz Khan, a Thane-based kirana owner, "No, there's no cartel to prevent super stores from setting shops. They are far more powerful than us. But, god is with me and I believe my shop will run even if there's a mart beside it."
Well, they are right. Andheri-based Manisha Goel, a housewife, and an "account holder" in her neighbouring kirana shop says, "The best part is you can pay them later. I also buy from the super stores but there are times you don't need to shop in bulk. Say if you need just a small item in the month-end, you won't certainly go to a supermarket and use your credit card for it. Kiranas are very convenient."
But, weekend shopping at the supermarkets isn't a happy experience, feel some customers. The marts are crammed and you need to jostle your way to get the stuff. Moreover, there's a perpetually long queue at the cash counter.
Malad-based banker Ankita Ghosh says, "They even remember the FMCG brands you use. You just give them a call and they'll deliver them at your doorstep."
When asked would she still prefer kiranas if the supermart gives her home delivery, she says, "Yes, I would still go for kiranas. Because, first, I am sure the phone lines will be busy forever. Second, even if they take your call, if the quantity required is small, they'll refuse to deliver saying the total amount does not exceed their pre-determined threshold for delivery."
Despite the support from these loyal customers, the superstores have been able to hit the bottomline of these stores. "Our sales figures would have been much higher had the supermart not been there. They can offer goods at a cheaper rate because they buy in volumes. I can't beat them on the price front. But, still my shop is doing good business," says a Mulund-based shop owner Mohan.
A few shops have also started keeping mobile recharge coupons to attract more customers. Some have included ice creams, cold drinks and even cosmetics in their product mix.
However, super markets also have their share of loyalists. Mulund-resident Anita Shukla, a BPO employee, Says, "The superstore is just a 5-minute walk from my house and I shop there in bulk once a week. I save quite a lot. Kiranas can't offer me stuff at such cheap rates."
Supermarkets and kiranas can co-exist, peacefully. Though they share a common customer base, they cater to different needs of their clients and that's a specialised job. They can't replace each other.
So, they can live in harmony happily at least for a few decades, if not ever after.
Human factor coupled with convenience makes these stores a part of the common man's daily life. These Shuklajis, Mishrajis and Hasmukhbhais (the store owners) mean more to us than mere shop owners. Have you ever wondered what's the name of a salesperson in a supermart? They know you personally, ask about your family, well-being and are also ready to give you credit, if you want. "No issues, you can pay later," they'll quip and quickly open your account.
The growing Indian middle class can't live without them. Though they are regular supermart-goers, but they will also frequent a Manoj's Multi-purpose Store, for instance. Unfortunately, the store owners aren't very secure about their long-term existence.
I quizzed a few kirana store owners across the city. What would they do if suddenly a supermart comes up just beside their store? Whether they have any defence mechanism like a cartel to resist it? Or, do they have a strategy like changing the product mix or starting a price war to tackle them? Or are they confident that their loyal customers won't let them down?
A majority of them admitted that they fear supermarkets may eventually throw them out of business. And if you shop in bulk, they lose out on the best buys that the retail chains offer. But, their doomsday won't come in the near future, kirana owners feel. They are confident on the long-term ties they have developed with the clients i.e. on the human bondage.
"It's a matter of trust that we share with our customers. Most of them have their accounts open with us and they pay us at their convenience. Moreover, they know me by my name. I don't think they can ever develop such a relationship with a supermarket," says Ganesh, owner of Tirupati Supermart in Kandivali (what's in a name).
Well, besides trust on loyalists and the human factor some also have faith in the almighty. Says Aziz Khan, a Thane-based kirana owner, "No, there's no cartel to prevent super stores from setting shops. They are far more powerful than us. But, god is with me and I believe my shop will run even if there's a mart beside it."
Well, they are right. Andheri-based Manisha Goel, a housewife, and an "account holder" in her neighbouring kirana shop says, "The best part is you can pay them later. I also buy from the super stores but there are times you don't need to shop in bulk. Say if you need just a small item in the month-end, you won't certainly go to a supermarket and use your credit card for it. Kiranas are very convenient."
But, weekend shopping at the supermarkets isn't a happy experience, feel some customers. The marts are crammed and you need to jostle your way to get the stuff. Moreover, there's a perpetually long queue at the cash counter.
Malad-based banker Ankita Ghosh says, "They even remember the FMCG brands you use. You just give them a call and they'll deliver them at your doorstep."
When asked would she still prefer kiranas if the supermart gives her home delivery, she says, "Yes, I would still go for kiranas. Because, first, I am sure the phone lines will be busy forever. Second, even if they take your call, if the quantity required is small, they'll refuse to deliver saying the total amount does not exceed their pre-determined threshold for delivery."
Despite the support from these loyal customers, the superstores have been able to hit the bottomline of these stores. "Our sales figures would have been much higher had the supermart not been there. They can offer goods at a cheaper rate because they buy in volumes. I can't beat them on the price front. But, still my shop is doing good business," says a Mulund-based shop owner Mohan.
A few shops have also started keeping mobile recharge coupons to attract more customers. Some have included ice creams, cold drinks and even cosmetics in their product mix.
However, super markets also have their share of loyalists. Mulund-resident Anita Shukla, a BPO employee, Says, "The superstore is just a 5-minute walk from my house and I shop there in bulk once a week. I save quite a lot. Kiranas can't offer me stuff at such cheap rates."
Supermarkets and kiranas can co-exist, peacefully. Though they share a common customer base, they cater to different needs of their clients and that's a specialised job. They can't replace each other.
So, they can live in harmony happily at least for a few decades, if not ever after.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Globalization and the farmer's discontent
Imagine there's no countries. Unwittingly, John Lennon captured the essence of globalisation in this song. It's an engine to integrate markets so that a farmer in a remote district of Maharashtra is almost as well off as his counterpart in US. However, the key word is 'imagine'. Why? You'll come to know soon. Let's ask the farmer whether he understands globalisation or if he has heard of Joseph Stiglitz or Jagdish Bhagwati. No? But, isn't he the one the noted economists are fighting for?
Hardliner Stiglitz takes a softer path — converts his discontents (as evident from his book 'Globalization and its Discontents') to a solution in 'Making Globalization Work'. The solution is easy to implement, but only theoretically. It's actually like the song. To start with, we need to imagine that all the countries are at par — there's no first, second or third world. They sit and discuss agreements on agriculture. Let's restrict globalisation to trade and not stretch it to terrorism. As they say, with attacks in foreign countries having no direct relation with the attackers' own country terrorism has also globalised.
At a WTO meet, unlike Uruguay round in Marrakesh, they agree to share their markets for agricultural good. They make the trade laws, clause, discuss about the little boxes of subsidies and the intellectual property rights. Unfortunately, the green, amber and blue little boxes aren't all the same (as in the song). Because in the real world, they are used by the first world as an instrument to manipulate the quantum of subsidies.
Anyway, for our farmer the market will no more be his village, it may now be somewhere in Europe. They pay him in euros and give the best deal available globally. Wow, amazing that means our villages will eventually not remain poor. Therefore, being an agro-based country India can become rich — so called first world. Hold on, do I smell a circular logic? Of course, our assumption was there's only one world, that is, we are already rich (or poor), as rich (poor) as US.
But, what if we don't imagine? We realise that world isn't integrated and the first world nations are dictating the terms to the third world. Globalisation is used as a tool to penetrate deeper into the untapped markets of the developing nations. The terms are tailor-made to suit the needs of the haves at the cost of the have-nots.
So our farmer remains poor, exploited no more by the intermediary but by some European agent. India can walk out, deny, but perhaps, would never be able to dictate terms of trade to the developed world.
What the hell, it's just a song. We may be the third world, but we can always imagine.
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Hardliner Stiglitz takes a softer path — converts his discontents (as evident from his book 'Globalization and its Discontents') to a solution in 'Making Globalization Work'. The solution is easy to implement, but only theoretically. It's actually like the song. To start with, we need to imagine that all the countries are at par — there's no first, second or third world. They sit and discuss agreements on agriculture. Let's restrict globalisation to trade and not stretch it to terrorism. As they say, with attacks in foreign countries having no direct relation with the attackers' own country terrorism has also globalised.
At a WTO meet, unlike Uruguay round in Marrakesh, they agree to share their markets for agricultural good. They make the trade laws, clause, discuss about the little boxes of subsidies and the intellectual property rights. Unfortunately, the green, amber and blue little boxes aren't all the same (as in the song). Because in the real world, they are used by the first world as an instrument to manipulate the quantum of subsidies.
Anyway, for our farmer the market will no more be his village, it may now be somewhere in Europe. They pay him in euros and give the best deal available globally. Wow, amazing that means our villages will eventually not remain poor. Therefore, being an agro-based country India can become rich — so called first world. Hold on, do I smell a circular logic? Of course, our assumption was there's only one world, that is, we are already rich (or poor), as rich (poor) as US.
But, what if we don't imagine? We realise that world isn't integrated and the first world nations are dictating the terms to the third world. Globalisation is used as a tool to penetrate deeper into the untapped markets of the developing nations. The terms are tailor-made to suit the needs of the haves at the cost of the have-nots.
So our farmer remains poor, exploited no more by the intermediary but by some European agent. India can walk out, deny, but perhaps, would never be able to dictate terms of trade to the developed world.
What the hell, it's just a song. We may be the third world, but we can always imagine.
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Make way for the world citizens
Come November, it's raining Nobels and Booker. Be it Yunus of Grameen Banks or Phelps of Phillips curves or Kiran and her Inheritance of words, it sure makes us proud. In the age of globalization, we are proud to be world citizens. We no more restrict our pride in these amazing achievements by geo-political barricades.
If we leave politics and economics aside, globalization may be cultural in origin — arising from watching a fireign film or sending students abroad. Democratic globalization is a concept of an institutional system of global democracy that will give world citizens a say in the world organizations. This would, in view of its proponents, bypass nation-states, corporate entities, ideological NGOs, cults and mafias.
The Sergio Vieira de MelloCitizen of the World award is given out by the UN Correspondents Association was initiated in 2003 in honor of the Braziliandiplomat and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights who was killed in 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Iraq. Recipients include actor Angelina Jolie, who is also the UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.
India is likely to bid farewell to poverty and become the third most-powerful nation by 2030, says a senior World Bank official. So India will become a superpower in two decades. But, we Indians are ready to become dual citizens — of India and the world. The recipients too, are world citizens as they thrive to improve the world for us.
To the world citizens, though the world is just not enough, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani.
If we leave politics and economics aside, globalization may be cultural in origin — arising from watching a fireign film or sending students abroad. Democratic globalization is a concept of an institutional system of global democracy that will give world citizens a say in the world organizations. This would, in view of its proponents, bypass nation-states, corporate entities, ideological NGOs, cults and mafias.
The Sergio Vieira de MelloCitizen of the World award is given out by the UN Correspondents Association was initiated in 2003 in honor of the Braziliandiplomat and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights who was killed in 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Iraq. Recipients include actor Angelina Jolie, who is also the UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.
India is likely to bid farewell to poverty and become the third most-powerful nation by 2030, says a senior World Bank official. So India will become a superpower in two decades. But, we Indians are ready to become dual citizens — of India and the world. The recipients too, are world citizens as they thrive to improve the world for us.
To the world citizens, though the world is just not enough, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Bollywood drowns reggae beats
When was the last time you have danced to a reggae beat? Hard to recall, isn’t it? In city discos and pubs, hip-hop and R&B rule, and reggae seems to be fading out.
Says a city-based DJ, “There’s no demand for reggae numbers. Hip-hop and R&B like ‘Turn Me On’ and ‘Dilemma’ are the favourites.”
The music stores have tuned out of reggae as well. Bob Marley, Shaggy, UB 40 were most popular ones in this genre. However, Apache’s music is not totally reggae but a mix of rap and bhangra. But nowadays, hip-hop is the real chartbuster.
Today’s youth is hip-hop, so that’s their choice. Pure reggae does not have a big market anymore.
Event managers seem to have almost written off the form of music in favour of the flavours of the moment — bhangra and Bollywood. Reggae plays only at the retro bars nowadays. Indian music is so big, even internationally, that you find pub goers asking only for the popular film numbers.
It was Bob Marley, the legend, who made reggae into an international phenomenon. In the wake of his success in the 1970s came a host of other names, and it was not long before reggae became an established genre. But reggae was simply the offshoot of what had been happening in Jamaican music. Beginning with SKA and Rock Steady, the loudest island in the world had declared its real musical independence, and had already made an imprint on the world, albeit a small one.
If you want to take it back to the beginning, you have to blame it on jazz. One of America's great contributions to musical culture, Jamaica soon caught on, through radio broadcasts and records, in the 1940s. Bands sprang up to entertain tourists, like Eric Dean's Orchestra and future giants like trombonist Don Drummond and Sax Man Tommy McCook learned the licks and honed their chops on the music.
In India, Apache Indian introduced this form of music with his album ‘No Reservations’ in 1992. He was born and raised in Birmingham, the epicentre of the UK reggae scene. Apache diluted his pure reggae flavour over time, perhaps, to cater to the popular demand. His new album (still to be released in India) ‘Time for Change’ is also a fused reggae version. His music, however, does not keep the counter guy half as busy as the feet-thumping ’90s.
Says a city-based DJ, “There’s no demand for reggae numbers. Hip-hop and R&B like ‘Turn Me On’ and ‘Dilemma’ are the favourites.”
The music stores have tuned out of reggae as well. Bob Marley, Shaggy, UB 40 were most popular ones in this genre. However, Apache’s music is not totally reggae but a mix of rap and bhangra. But nowadays, hip-hop is the real chartbuster.
Today’s youth is hip-hop, so that’s their choice. Pure reggae does not have a big market anymore.
Event managers seem to have almost written off the form of music in favour of the flavours of the moment — bhangra and Bollywood. Reggae plays only at the retro bars nowadays. Indian music is so big, even internationally, that you find pub goers asking only for the popular film numbers.
It was Bob Marley, the legend, who made reggae into an international phenomenon. In the wake of his success in the 1970s came a host of other names, and it was not long before reggae became an established genre. But reggae was simply the offshoot of what had been happening in Jamaican music. Beginning with SKA and Rock Steady, the loudest island in the world had declared its real musical independence, and had already made an imprint on the world, albeit a small one.
If you want to take it back to the beginning, you have to blame it on jazz. One of America's great contributions to musical culture, Jamaica soon caught on, through radio broadcasts and records, in the 1940s. Bands sprang up to entertain tourists, like Eric Dean's Orchestra and future giants like trombonist Don Drummond and Sax Man Tommy McCook learned the licks and honed their chops on the music.
In India, Apache Indian introduced this form of music with his album ‘No Reservations’ in 1992. He was born and raised in Birmingham, the epicentre of the UK reggae scene. Apache diluted his pure reggae flavour over time, perhaps, to cater to the popular demand. His new album (still to be released in India) ‘Time for Change’ is also a fused reggae version. His music, however, does not keep the counter guy half as busy as the feet-thumping ’90s.
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