Author: Eduindex News

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Where have all the promotions gone ?

Many men of this blogger\’s vintage are seriously challenged when it comes to matters of fashion. This blogger is a card carrying member of the tribe who behaves like this when it comes to clothes

 – A few shirts and a few trousers, all looking very similar, hang in the closet
 – A shirt is plucked from the leftmost corner,  the trouser is picked from the rightmost corner and worn
 – As they are laundered , they join the back of the queue in the hanging sequence; thereby ensuring an automatic first in first out principle !
 – When a hole appears in any of the garments, it is thrown away
 – When there comes a day when not enough shirts or trousers are hanging in the closet, a shopping expedition ensues and half a dozen items are bought and the cycle repeats all over again !!

The last of the above happened recently to yours truly and off I trooped off to the mall to replenish supplies.

By way of background, you must know that this is the way men\’s clothes are sold in India

 – An anemic looking shirt or trouser is priced at a king\’s ransom. Let us say that in India it is something like Rs 3000 (circa $50 ; a ridiculous price to pay for a shirt)
 –  Random words such as \’Uncrushables\”, \”Perfect Fit\”,  \”Wrinkle Free\”, \”Soft\”, \”Smooth\” , all of which are nonsense, are displayed prominently to justify the price tag. Of course they all mean absolutely nothing.
 – Then a promotion scheme is run wherein you get 2 items free, if you buy 3, or even Buy One and Get One Free (BOGOF is an accepted word in Indian English)
 – Everybody is happy

Men at the level of fashion consciousness as this blogger , shop for clothes as follows

 – Enter the store. Go to the section where their size is stocked
 – Pick the first three shirts on display
 – Pick the first three trousers on display
 – Go to the cash counter and pay
 – Snigger at the lady draping and preening in front of the mirror and  and suggest rudely that no amount of this or that garment can hide the fact that she needs to go to the gym !
 – Exit store, preferably within 5 minutes

Accordingly, I entered a store and performed all of the above maneuvers. And then when I went to the cash counter to pay, the guy said I had to pay for all of them. I told him that I would of course pay for all as per whatever promotion scheme was running. He said there was no promotion scheme and I had to pay full price for all. WHAT ? I have never heard anything more ridiculous. He repeated that I had to pay full price. I said, I don\’t understand. He patiently said – No promotion. The he spelt it out letter by letter – N O ; P R O M O T I O N.

I stalked out of the store yelling that he must be joking and if he expected me to pay $50 for a shirt, he must be a member of the Monster Raving Loony Party (such a political party actually exists in Her Majesty\’s land). I stormed  into the next shop and went through the same sequence.

No promotion. Stormed out and went to the next shop. No promotion. Next shop. No promotion. There wasn\’t anymore shops to enter into. And I had no shirt to wear tomorrow. So I went back to the first shop, tail between my legs, paid $ 50 and bought just one shirt and slunk back home. There is still a  huge hole in  my closet, but I am damned if I am going to pay the ridiculous full price tag to fill it up. I shall launder and iron my clothes twice a day and live with just a pair or two !!!

This facetious post underscores a serious issue. The explosion of promotions and consumer behaviour which has now been tailored to buy only promoted items. All promotions are a distortion on a fair price-value equation. The true price of a product can never be determined when crazy promotions are running all the time.  The seller tries to hoodwink the consumer, the consumer shops around for what he believes is the best promotion and this has become a complicated dance.

And so, apparel manufacturers stopping all promotions is a good thing. But then  they have cheekily not cut the price tag at all. It remains the ridiculous $50.  That\’s absurd. I live in India and not in the US of A. I am not shopping on Bond Street or the Champs-Élysées. A shirt should cost $10. OK $20. Not $50.

Every manufacturer has withdrawn promotions at the same time. This smacks of collusion. Is the Competition Commission looking ? Or have the stocks of shirts and trousers of the worthies not diminished enough to warrant a visit to the shop ?

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

    Wallowing in Nostalgia

    This blogger has reached a stage in life where he often turns nostalgic. Ahhh – the good old days … Sigh …
    Today it was nostalgia in ads. All from about 40 years ago. Colour television had not yet come to India (it came with the Asian Games of 1982). Black & White TVs were few and far between and it was perfectly OK to go to your neighbour\’s house to watch TV because they had a set and you didn\’t. Of course, there was only one channel – Doordarshan, the state TV. 
    Ads were primarily through cinema. Before the movie started, there would be a series of ads shown in full colour. Those days, you eagerly looked forward to the ads as much as you looked forward to the movie itself And then when TV came, these ads morphed to TV, but the largest reach was through cinemas for a long time. Of all the ads, there were  3 or 4  that almost everybody knew by heart. We could hum along, skip along to each of them.
    First Gold Spot. When Coca Coal exited India in 1977, a local entrepreneur quickly cashed in with equivalents – Thums Up (Coke), Limca ( a lemon drink) and Gold Spot (Fanta). The Gold Spot ad was a classic – Indians with a taste for Bollywood might recognise a young Javed Jaffrey. Gold Spot, alas, disappeared when Coca Cola reentered India in the late 1990s.
    My second classic of course has to be Liril, by Unilever.  It completely took India by storm sending the soap skyrocketing as the largest selling soap in India. The ad was so successful that the model Karen Lunel  was paid by Unilever never to appear in any other ad ever again. She will forever be the Liril girl. Liril is still going strong in India – it was , and  has always been, an \”India soap\”. Unilever , despite being global never sold Liril in any other country, but in India it was a mega hit.
    My personal favourite of them all is  Close Up also from the Unilever stable. The wonderful Close Up jingle; I can still remember the words and hummed along when I listened to the song today. Alas, the ad has been lost to history. I can\’t find it on You Tube at all. When Close Up was launched with this ad, it caught on to become one of India\’s best selling toothpastes. Today, Unilever has withdrawn from toothpastes in most countries, but in India, Close Up is still a star. The ad seems to have been lost, but the song on which it is based is very much there – Walter Navarro\’s lovely classic. Listen to the song and those of you old enough to remember that ad, imagine it before your eyes. Even better that way.
    Why is it that my vision is a tad blurred today !

      https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

      Amazon vs Walmart in India

      The war for the future of the retail trade in the world is going to be fought in India. It has happened by default, but happen it nevertheless has. The irony hasn\’t struck the policymakers in India as yet – they of the medieval dinosaur disposition of still not allowing foreign companies into the retail sector in India. If that makes your head reel, then this is India, true to its form.
      Globally, Walmart (the old incumbent) and Amazon ( the not so new disruptor) have been itching for a gigantic fight for a long time. In the US, Walmart dominates in store and Amazon dominates online. There it is a fight between one form of retail trade and another. Not a headlong fight. In China, which would have been the logical war zone, both have failed against domestic competition – not least because the playing field is not level (actually tilted a full 90 deg). Hence India, by default, has become the battlefield.
      It actually is peculiar that India is the chosen fighting arena. This is a country where foreign firms are still not allowed to open a store in India. You need domestic partners. Every rabble rousing politician has demonstrated and agitated in the past against allowing wicked foreigners into the retail trade. Most of India\’s retail trade continues to be the mom and pop store. 
      Amazon was the first to enter. Amazon.in is now globally second (distantly) only to Amazon.com in the Amazon universe. E Commerce is still minuscule in India but given India\’s size , even minuscule is big. Amazon has been pouring money into India, adopting the time tested formula from the US. Their competition was Flipkart, a local E Commerce provider. Now Walmart is acquiring Flipkart. This will now become an all out battle between the two for the online market . Right now Flipkart and Amazon.in are close in India with Flipkart being the marginal leader. With the acquisition, Walmart will now be bigger online than Amazon in at least one country.
      I wonder what the other global majors are thinking about all this. Carrefour and Tesco, the old European giants, are not present here at all.  OK Tesco is , via a joint venture, but you would be hard pressed to find a store. The newer European upstarts Aldi, Lidl, et al, can\’t point to India on a map and so, have not come. The Chinese, notably Tmall and JD seem to be interested only in slugging it out in home territory. Alibaba is of course more global in outlook, but they are  in the B2B space. So its just the Americans wanting to fight in India.
      Where is the famous Ramamritham in all this. How come none of the rabble rousers are yelling their heads off against evil Americans ? The truth is that both Ramamritham and the political worthies are old foggies. Neither know how to switch on a computer, let alone how to buy anything online. Events have overtaken these dinosaurs before they have realised what\’s happening. The same thing happened with the Indian IT industry a couple of decades ago. The only way to beat Ramamritham is with something he does not understand.
      So now the war will begin. This blogger is salivating at the prospect. You see, he is a piddling customer of both Amazon and Flipkart. \”When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers\”,  goes the old saying. I beg to differ. When these two elephants fight, it will be the grass that will flourish. I am looking forward to all the lovely deals and freebies !
        https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

        How do you solve a problem like CEO pay

        It\’s very simple really to most people and that\’s why its such a complex problem. The problem of executive pay (lets just take CEO pay as a proxy to make it easier to analyse).
        For the left, CEOs are greedy bastards who make too much money, when lower level staff in the company can barely make ends meet. Income equality is one the biggest issues facing society. Therefore the answer has to be to curb CEO pay.  Preferably by law. Where is the problem ?
        For the right, who is anybody to say what somebody else earns. It\’s a free market and CEOs perform one of the most difficult jobs of all. When a CEO can increase shareholder value by $10 bn, why should he not get $10 m. Where is the problem ?
        In the US, this issue has got into prominence because companies are now required to report how much their Chief Executives make in comparison to the median paid worker. This was opposed tooth and nail by industry, but now the law has come into effect. And the first reports are starting to come in – In Marathon Petroleum it was 935 times, in Del Monte produce it was 1465 times, in Manpower, a temp agency, it was 2483 times. In Berkshire Hathaway it was 2 times.
        Governments are starting to act. In the great state of Oregon, where a couple of readers of this blog live, the city of Portland has levied a 10% tax on companies where the ratio is more than 100 times. Many other states and cities are planning a similar levy. I don\’t think that is right.
        Remember, just because something is popular does not make it right. If you held a referendum that the state must burn down the house of every billionaire, it\’s quite likely to pass with a 75% majority. That won\’t make it right.
        This is not as easy a problem to solve as it seems to the extremists. First to take on the left.
        If you extend the same principle to every other domain – no film star should get more than 100 times the salary of an extra. Ditto music star. Ditto sportsman. For that matter why should the mutual fund where your pensions come from, make 100 times more than the janitor who cleans the stock market building. If you sell your property and make a fortune, then of course you shouldn\’t be doing that as its 100 times more than what the majority of us who have no property to sell are making. We can go on and on. Its been proven time and again  that arbitrary wage equations for everybody will only create a Soviet Union. And why should 100 be some golden number simply because it satisfies somebody\’s sensibilities.
        Now to take on the right. 
        Is anybody really worth $98 million ? Really ? That\’s what Thomas Rutledge took in 2016. The median CEO salary is some $ 11m, but there are also wild outliers. But more than the absolute quantum,  the real problem with executive pay is the reward that even poor performers get. Like golden parachutes if you are sacked. Like pay rises when your company results go down. Like bonuses which don\’t get returned even though the results are later proved to have been fiddled and overstated. Like backdated stock options. Like saying you have to honour bonus contracts even though your company has just been bailed out by the government.
        And then there is certainly the reality that CEO pay has risen far more dramatically in the last 20 years than the pay of others working in the company. It is therefore natural that there is a societal backlash. No society can live with wild inequalities, whatever be the justification.
        Companies must be seen to behave sensibly, else regulation is inevitable. A formula could be to more tightly link to company performance, something that\’s happening anyway. No contractual sweetners that would not be in any other employee\’s contract. In good years, distribute the bonus pool more widely. Take pay rises only when company performs very well – employees won\’t grudge your pay rise then. Maybe CEO\’s can think of contributing 1% to a staff welfare fund. Its all optics. If you not only are fair, but seen to be fair, people won\’t grudge your pay.
        As we began the post, its not an easy problem to solve. So sit back an enjoy how a problem like Maria was solved !
        https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

        A “different” politician

        I received an email from a classmate of mine, who is now the CFO of a large Indian company. It was such a lovely story that I asked for his permission to publish it in my blog. It is contextually, very Indian and the specifics may be unfamiliar to an overseas reader, but the overall story can easily be appreciated.


        Here is the message from my classmate.

        (On the left is Mr Konnappa, the MLA who is the subject of this post)

        PART 1

        The person with me is Konnappa, MLA (equivalent to a Congressman in a state in the US) from the north west part of Telangana adjoining Maharashtra.  I happened to meet him while pursuing some factory location.
        He was originally elected on a BSP ticket – only one of two MLAs of BSP (Mayawati). But then seeing his good work, the Chief Minister asked him not to waste his time, join the ruling party and continue his work. So they merged. His constituency is in the vicinity of Ramagondam, Sirpur, and Singareni coal mines.
        Recently the area has seen some factories shut down and many workers in the streets. He is working hard to bring some industries into the area or revive the shut ones.  
        We learnt about some of the good work that he has been doing. This based on my colleagues\’ personal visit to the area and my interaction with him.
        The closure of factories has thrown some 2400 children potentially out of school – due to loss of jobs of parents. He has supported the children attending school by paying their fees – some Rs 34 lacs ($ 50K) per annum. \”Children cant afford to lose their precious years of schooling\”   is his logic. \”Whats the source of funds – Personal?\” I quizzed. \”No sir I am not that wealthy.  I ask some money from Chief Minister, some other like minded MLAs, I asked some theatre owners, shop keepers and some  industries who support such efforts. I only make up the balance. Its more of a co-ordination exercise\” said he.
        Konappa is providing one meal a day for some 1500 poor children in his area. \”Half my salary and allowances goes in this\”. He had invited one of my colleagues during an earlier visit to eat with them and said  \”your colleagues was very pleased to do that.\”
        Recently some potential investors were visiting a factory closed for last 3-4 years. \”To make it presentable, I worked alongside the workers to clean it and make it as good as the … he showed the table top of our lunch table in Bikanerwala restaurant. If you start any industry here, I will work one day in the factory free to see that everything goes smooth for you. \”

        \”When your colleague had visited my town, I made him talk to the workers of a closed factory to pep up their mood. They were all happy and appreciative.\”           
        \”From last 6-7 months back, I have started a scheme for pregnant women. Tribal women suffer  blood deficiency. This causes several deaths of the mother during child birth or poor health of children. I have started giving them 2 kgs Gude (Jaggery) +some other thing he said which he claimed is good for blood generation + 2 Kgs of Ragi which he claimed he ensures that only the pregnant get to eat\’ (may be thru social policing). The deaths have started coming down. Now the state has witnessed it and wants to roll it statewide\’ he said with a pride in his voice. 
        I did not get the impression that his claims were unjustified. He seemed utterly sincere; guileless for a MLA. Moreover when the Deputy Chief Minister introduced him to us said,  \”he is firstly a social worker; incidentally he happens to be a politician. Ask him for whatever help you need \”
        PART 2
        It was supposed to be the final meeting to say Yes or No as to whether we would take over the closed factory and revive it. The MLA had done stupendous work in the last 4-6 weeks which would have taken 6-8 months for us.
        It was in relation to takeover and restarting a sick mill. At stake was the livelihood of 2000 odd workers and their families, the children\’s education, daughters\’ marriage, etc. And a passionate MLA who felt the weight heavily on his shoulder.
        The Secretary to the government informed us of the decisions of his govt on various help, assurances and policy incentives and assured supply of feedstock etc, we had sought.  It fell short of what we wanted. The MLA , Konappa,  and the Government had gone a great distance; yet it was below our threshold. 
        My colleague and myself had a quick discussion and said that in the interest of moving forward we will take it. We said so to the Secretary and requested him not to completely shut the door on the others requests. We thanked him and got up to go. The Secretary must have sensed our discomfort.  and said \’If there are some difficulties later, you can always come back. It is also our interest that you keep things going\’  
        We came out. In the corridor, I congratulated the MLA for his efforts. Even while shaking his hands I found his eyes getting wet. I am yet to learn how to handle such situations. My colleague, senior in age, sympathised, and consoled the now visibly shaken man. He told him he can\’t be seen by others in that state and that we should get into some room and we moved into one.
        Konappa said  \”Sir, for the first 61 years of my life, I did not have any BP or sugar. Last 3 -4 years, I have developed both. Loss of livelihood, children\’s education, the future, no growth in my constituency… have all affected me. Today I see some hope return\”. 
        \”This is the first time I have stayed in Hyderabad, the state capital for 9 days continuously. To go from one person to person to plead for a solution in the best interest of the workers and their families \”
         
        \”When the factory closes and there is no one to care, people start looting. I closed the scrap shop nearby 3-4 years ago and warned other dealers  within the vicinity against dealing in any material from the factory or they will close down for ever. I told the workers some day or the other someone will come and  not even a single bolt should be missing. I know the pains and delays such things can cause for I have been a daily labour in the very same factory several years ago\”
        \”Sir, please  don\’t worry. It is my personal responsibility that you people will face no difficulties. \”
        He seemed much more in control by now. and we told him it was time for us to leave. He walked us down. \”These are the times that give me satisfaction. Far more than seeing Rs 2-3 lacs in my bank account  (I thought their unit of thought will be in crores rather than lakhs, but this man seems stuck in a time warp of his own).  That\’s when I feel … this earth (pointing downwards) which has to bear my weight. I feel I am repaying a part of the debt I owe to it, when I see some poor people appreciate it\”
        He was composed by now,  with some pride and a smile on his face.  But I was shaken. My mouth was quivering. In full public view at the entrance to the car park.

        Some politician this. Some human being. Hope I can work with him some day. Imitation is the  best form of flattery they say. I hope I will be able to imitate him … one day… some day.

        https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

        A "different" politician

        I received an email from a classmate of mine, who is now the CFO of a large Indian company. It was such a lovely story that I asked for his permission to publish it in my blog. It is contextually, very Indian and the specifics may be unfamiliar to an overseas reader, but the overall story can easily be appreciated.


        Here is the message from my classmate.

        (On the left is Mr Konnappa, the MLA who is the subject of this post)

        PART 1

        The person with me is Konnappa, MLA (equivalent to a Congressman in a state in the US) from the north west part of Telangana adjoining Maharashtra.  I happened to meet him while pursuing some factory location.
        He was originally elected on a BSP ticket – only one of two MLAs of BSP (Mayawati). But then seeing his good work, the Chief Minister asked him not to waste his time, join the ruling party and continue his work. So they merged. His constituency is in the vicinity of Ramagondam, Sirpur, and Singareni coal mines.
        Recently the area has seen some factories shut down and many workers in the streets. He is working hard to bring some industries into the area or revive the shut ones.  
        We learnt about some of the good work that he has been doing. This based on my colleagues\’ personal visit to the area and my interaction with him.
        The closure of factories has thrown some 2400 children potentially out of school – due to loss of jobs of parents. He has supported the children attending school by paying their fees – some Rs 34 lacs ($ 50K) per annum. \”Children cant afford to lose their precious years of schooling\”   is his logic. \”Whats the source of funds – Personal?\” I quizzed. \”No sir I am not that wealthy.  I ask some money from Chief Minister, some other like minded MLAs, I asked some theatre owners, shop keepers and some  industries who support such efforts. I only make up the balance. Its more of a co-ordination exercise\” said he.
        Konappa is providing one meal a day for some 1500 poor children in his area. \”Half my salary and allowances goes in this\”. He had invited one of my colleagues during an earlier visit to eat with them and said  \”your colleagues was very pleased to do that.\”
        Recently some potential investors were visiting a factory closed for last 3-4 years. \”To make it presentable, I worked alongside the workers to clean it and make it as good as the … he showed the table top of our lunch table in Bikanerwala restaurant. If you start any industry here, I will work one day in the factory free to see that everything goes smooth for you. \”

        \”When your colleague had visited my town, I made him talk to the workers of a closed factory to pep up their mood. They were all happy and appreciative.\”           
        \”From last 6-7 months back, I have started a scheme for pregnant women. Tribal women suffer  blood deficiency. This causes several deaths of the mother during child birth or poor health of children. I have started giving them 2 kgs Gude (Jaggery) +some other thing he said which he claimed is good for blood generation + 2 Kgs of Ragi which he claimed he ensures that only the pregnant get to eat\’ (may be thru social policing). The deaths have started coming down. Now the state has witnessed it and wants to roll it statewide\’ he said with a pride in his voice. 
        I did not get the impression that his claims were unjustified. He seemed utterly sincere; guileless for a MLA. Moreover when the Deputy Chief Minister introduced him to us said,  \”he is firstly a social worker; incidentally he happens to be a politician. Ask him for whatever help you need \”
        PART 2
        It was supposed to be the final meeting to say Yes or No as to whether we would take over the closed factory and revive it. The MLA had done stupendous work in the last 4-6 weeks which would have taken 6-8 months for us.
        It was in relation to takeover and restarting a sick mill. At stake was the livelihood of 2000 odd workers and their families, the children\’s education, daughters\’ marriage, etc. And a passionate MLA who felt the weight heavily on his shoulder.
        The Secretary to the government informed us of the decisions of his govt on various help, assurances and policy incentives and assured supply of feedstock etc, we had sought.  It fell short of what we wanted. The MLA , Konappa,  and the Government had gone a great distance; yet it was below our threshold. 
        My colleague and myself had a quick discussion and said that in the interest of moving forward we will take it. We said so to the Secretary and requested him not to completely shut the door on the others requests. We thanked him and got up to go. The Secretary must have sensed our discomfort.  and said \’If there are some difficulties later, you can always come back. It is also our interest that you keep things going\’  
        We came out. In the corridor, I congratulated the MLA for his efforts. Even while shaking his hands I found his eyes getting wet. I am yet to learn how to handle such situations. My colleague, senior in age, sympathised, and consoled the now visibly shaken man. He told him he can\’t be seen by others in that state and that we should get into some room and we moved into one.
        Konappa said  \”Sir, for the first 61 years of my life, I did not have any BP or sugar. Last 3 -4 years, I have developed both. Loss of livelihood, children\’s education, the future, no growth in my constituency… have all affected me. Today I see some hope return\”. 
        \”This is the first time I have stayed in Hyderabad, the state capital for 9 days continuously. To go from one person to person to plead for a solution in the best interest of the workers and their families \”
         
        \”When the factory closes and there is no one to care, people start looting. I closed the scrap shop nearby 3-4 years ago and warned other dealers  within the vicinity against dealing in any material from the factory or they will close down for ever. I told the workers some day or the other someone will come and  not even a single bolt should be missing. I know the pains and delays such things can cause for I have been a daily labour in the very same factory several years ago\”
        \”Sir, please  don\’t worry. It is my personal responsibility that you people will face no difficulties. \”
        He seemed much more in control by now. and we told him it was time for us to leave. He walked us down. \”These are the times that give me satisfaction. Far more than seeing Rs 2-3 lacs in my bank account  (I thought their unit of thought will be in crores rather than lakhs, but this man seems stuck in a time warp of his own).  That\’s when I feel … this earth (pointing downwards) which has to bear my weight. I feel I am repaying a part of the debt I owe to it, when I see some poor people appreciate it\”
        He was composed by now,  with some pride and a smile on his face.  But I was shaken. My mouth was quivering. In full public view at the entrance to the car park.

        Some politician this. Some human being. Hope I can work with him some day. Imitation is the  best form of flattery they say. I hope I will be able to imitate him … one day… some day.

        https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

        The Blogger drafts a new law to be passed

        There are various ways to vent out road rage.  I am trying a novel experiment here to douse the fire that is consuming me. By attempting to write a law !! Read on and see if you agree.

        Office of the Frustrated Motorists of Bangalore
        Middle of Nagwara Junction
        Bangalore – 560045
        25th April 2018

        Do No 435/16/346A/FMB/2018-16

        Dear Sirs

        The Motorists Community of Bangalore is considering an amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act to provide guidance for vehicles driving on the wrong side of the road. It is recognised that in Bangalore the number of vehicles driving on the wrong side of the road have exceeded the number of vehicles driving on the right side of the road. It is therefore in the public interest that clear rules are formulated in this regard.

        The draft rules titled \”The Bangalore Motor Vehicles (Wrong Side ) Rules 2018 \” are hereby being released for public comment & consultation. We are seeking your opinion on these draft rules so that they may be considered before the final Rules are framed and enacted.

        Please submit your final comments to this office on or before 13th May, 2018.

        -sd-

        Assistant Deputy Chief Officer (Acting)
        Office of the Frustrated Motorists of Bangalore

        The Bangalore Motor Vehicles (Wrong Side) Rules 2018

        DRAFT

        CHAPTER 1

        1. Short title, extent and commencement

        (1) These rules may be called the Bangalore Motor Vehicles (Wrong Side) Rules, 2018.

        (2) They shall extend only to the city of Bangalore, Karnataka.

        (3) They shall come into force on the First day of May, 2018.

        2. Need for these Rules

        (1) It is recognised that in the city of Bangalore more people drive on the wrong side of the road than on the right side of the road.

        (2) The current Motor Vehicles Act is silent on the rules governing driving on the wrong side of the road.

        (3) It is therefore considered expedient in the public interest to frame clear rules to guide motorists to drive correctly on the wrong side of the road.

        CHAPTER 2

        3. Definition of Lanes

        (1) The left most lane on any road is exclusively meant for 2 wheelers coming in the opposite direction.

        (2) The second and third lanes are exclusively reserved for traffic going in the forward direction.

        (3) The right extreme lane (often erroneously called as the fast lane) is meant for

        a. Four wheelers coming on the wrong side of the road
        b. Two wheelers who are preparing to dart into the opposing side of the road
        c. Trucks and buses who have broken down and are denoted by some leaves placed on their rear
        d. Yellow board taxis who have had a puncture and whose tires are being replaced

        (4) It is expressly clarified that no matter how wide the road is , these four lane rules shall apply.

        (5) When a vehicle is parked in the left most lane, right of way on the second lane is for the 2 wheeler coming in the wrong direction.

        (6) These definition of lanes cater also to single carriageways where they will apply head on , on both sides.

        CHAPTER 3

        4. Rules regarding Lights

        (1) Any vehicle coming on the wrong side of the road must have their headlamps in high beam. It is preferable that high powered lights are fitted so that oncoming drivers can be blinded as effectively as possible.

        (2) It is optional for such vehicles to have their hazard warning lights on.

        5. Rules regarding turn indicators

        (1) Vehicles coming on the wrong side of the road should not use their turn indicators at all . (Note that Rule 4 (2) encourages them to be used as hazard warning lights).

        (2) Any vehicle signalling with their turn indicator is liable to face a penalty of a maximum of Rs 1000 or simple imprisonment not exceeding six months , or both.

        CHAPTER 4

        6. Special Rules for Two Wheelers

        (1) There must be at least 3 people riding on the two wheeler. If any of the riders are less than 12 years of age, the minimum number of riders shall be 4.

        (2) The driver shall carry his helmet on the arm. Under no circumstances shall he wear it on his head. Only ISI mark helmets are allowed.

        (3) The driver shall speak into the mobile phone for the entire duration of driving on the wrong side of the road. He shall not use the left hand to hold the phone and instead cradle the phone between his neck and the head with the head tilted at a minimum of 35 degrees from the vertical.

        CHAPTER 5
        7. Rules at Traffic Junctions

        (1) Traffic lights shall have the following meaning for vehicles coming on the wrong direction of the road

        a. Red means Go
        b. Amber means Go
        c. Green means Go

        (2) At any traffic junction vehicles coming from the wrong side of the road may either continue on the wrong side of the road or change to the opposite side. Such change can be executed at any time while crossing the junction and shall have right of way.

        CHAPTER 6
        8. Service lanes

        (1) For sake of abundant clarity it is hereby reiterated that these Rules are applicable to service lanes to National & State Highways as well. Motorists are encouraged to avail of this facility and drive on the wrong side of service lanes.

        (2) It is recognised that all service lanes have either craters of a minimum dimension of 3ft by 2 ft by 4 ft or a lake of equal dimensions. Therefore the lane rules stated in 3 above do not apply to service lanes and any vehicle can occupy any lane.

        Chapter 7
        9. U Turns

        (1) Vehicles coming on the wrong side of the road are permitted to do a U turn anywhere and at any point in time. This provision is to enable them to do an instant U turn at the sight of a Traffic Cop in the distance. Vehicles coming on the right side of the road must give way for those taking U turns.

        (2) A minimum of 6 points must be executed while performing a U turn. 3 point U turns are not permitted.

        (3) All vehicles coming on the wrong side may, at any time, cross the divider and move on to the right side . Both 2 wheelers and 4 wheelers are allowed to climb the divider and cross over for this purpose. Vehicles coming on the right side shall patiently wait while this maneuver is completed.

        (4) Vehicles coming on the right side of the road shall not honk while maneuvers described in (1) , (2) and (3) above are being carried out. If they do provisions of Chapter 8 relating to Road Rage shall apply.

        CHAPTER 8
        10. Road Rage

        (1) In recognition of the extreme stress faced by drivers coming on the wrong side of the road, it is allowed that they freely curse those coming on the right side of the road.

        (2) In accordance with Karnataka Promotion of Local Language Act, such cursing is permitted only in Kannada.

        (3) Drivers of vehicles coming on the right side of the road shall keep their mouths firmly shut and enjoy the colourful insults, especially on the questions of their parentage and the status of the female members of their family. If they open their mouth they shall be liable to face a penalty of a maximum of Rs 1000 or simple imprisonment not exceeding six months , or both.

        CHAPTER 9
        11. Pedestrians

        (1) Pedestrians are expected to look both sides before crossing the road. If they only look right, and are run over by a two wheeler coming on the wrong side, then there is no liability on the two wheeler and it is entirely the fault of the pedestrian.

        (2) Pedestrians are required to move only sideways while walking on a road. This is to enable them to look both right and left , to ensure that they sight vehicles coming on the wrong side of the road early.

        (3) Pedestrians are required to do the 360 degree head rotate while they are shuffling sideways along the edge of the road. The sequence and purpose of the rotation is described below

        – First right to check vehicles coming on the right side of the road.
        – Then down to avoid the crater, lake, fallen board having 136 photographs of politicians looking like constipated owls, egestion output of various animals, etc.
        – Then left to check vehicles coming on the wrong side of the road.
        – Then up to avoid being entangled by electrical / cable TV wires.

        CHAPTER 10

        12. Monitoring and Penalties
        (1) Traffic policemen shall be deployed at strategic locations to check on compliance with the said rules. They shall be deployed in teams of 2 – one facing the right side of the road and one facing the wrong side of the road to effectively catch offenders.

        (2) The maximum fine for offences under these rules is Rs 1000. This can be compounded by a discrete folded note of Rs 100 slipped unobtrusively (amount increases to Rs 200 at monthends to ensure no loss of lifestyle to public servants in the difficult last week of the month) .

          https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

          Where have all the promotions gone ?

          Many men of this blogger\’s vintage are seriously challenged when it comes to matters of fashion. This blogger is a card carrying member of the tribe who behaves like this when it comes to clothes

           – A few shirts and a few trousers, all looking very similar, hang in the closet
           – A shirt is plucked from the leftmost corner,  the trouser is picked from the rightmost corner and worn
           – As they are laundered , they join the back of the queue in the hanging sequence; thereby ensuring an automatic first in first out principle !
           – When a hole appears in any of the garments, it is thrown away
           – When there comes a day when not enough shirts or trousers are hanging in the closet, a shopping expedition ensues and half a dozen items are bought and the cycle repeats all over again !!

          The last of the above happened recently to yours truly and off I trooped off to the mall to replenish supplies.

          By way of background, you must know that this is the way men\’s clothes are sold in India

           – An anemic looking shirt or trouser is priced at a king\’s ransom. Let us say that in India it is something like Rs 3000 (circa $50 ; a ridiculous price to pay for a shirt)
           –  Random words such as \’Uncrushables\”, \”Perfect Fit\”,  \”Wrinkle Free\”, \”Soft\”, \”Smooth\” , all of which are nonsense, are displayed prominently to justify the price tag. Of course they all mean absolutely nothing.
           – Then a promotion scheme is run wherein you get 2 items free, if you buy 3, or even Buy One and Get One Free (BOGOF is an accepted word in Indian English)
           – Everybody is happy

          Men at the level of fashion consciousness as this blogger , shop for clothes as follows

           – Enter the store. Go to the section where their size is stocked
           – Pick the first three shirts on display
           – Pick the first three trousers on display
           – Go to the cash counter and pay
           – Snigger at the lady draping and preening in front of the mirror and  and suggest rudely that no amount of this or that garment can hide the fact that she needs to go to the gym !
           – Exit store, preferably within 5 minutes

          Accordingly, I entered a store and performed all of the above maneuvers. And then when I went to the cash counter to pay, the guy said I had to pay for all of them. I told him that I would of course pay for all as per whatever promotion scheme was running. He said there was no promotion scheme and I had to pay full price for all. WHAT ? I have never heard anything more ridiculous. He repeated that I had to pay full price. I said, I don\’t understand. He patiently said – No promotion. The he spelt it out letter by letter – N O ; P R O M O T I O N.

          I stalked out of the store yelling that he must be joking and if he expected me to pay $50 for a shirt, he must be a member of the Monster Raving Loony Party (such a political party actually exists in Her Majesty\’s land). I stormed  into the next shop and went through the same sequence.

          No promotion. Stormed out and went to the next shop. No promotion. Next shop. No promotion. There wasn\’t anymore shops to enter into. And I had no shirt to wear tomorrow. So I went back to the first shop, tail between my legs, paid $ 50 and bought just one shirt and slunk back home. There is still a  huge hole in  my closet, but I am damned if I am going to pay the ridiculous full price tag to fill it up. I shall launder and iron my clothes twice a day and live with just a pair or two !!!

          This facetious post underscores a serious issue. The explosion of promotions and consumer behaviour which has now been tailored to buy only promoted items. All promotions are a distortion on a fair price-value equation. The true price of a product can never be determined when crazy promotions are running all the time.  The seller tries to hoodwink the consumer, the consumer shops around for what he believes is the best promotion and this has become a complicated dance.

          And so, apparel manufacturers stopping all promotions is a good thing. But then  they have cheekily not cut the price tag at all. It remains the ridiculous $50.  That\’s absurd. I live in India and not in the US of A. I am not shopping on Bond Street or the Champs-Élysées. A shirt should cost $10. OK $20. Not $50.

          Every manufacturer has withdrawn promotions at the same time. This smacks of collusion. Is the Competition Commission looking ? Or have the stocks of shirts and trousers of the worthies not diminished enough to warrant a visit to the shop ?
          https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

          Amazon vs Walmart in India

          The war for the future of the retail trade in the world is going to be fought in India. It has happened by default, but happen it nevertheless has. The irony hasn\’t struck the policymakers in India as yet – they of the medieval dinosaur disposition of still not allowing foreign companies into the retail sector in India. If that makes your head reel, then this is India, true to its form.
          Globally, Walmart (the old incumbent) and Amazon ( the not so new disruptor) have been itching for a gigantic fight for a long time. In the US, Walmart dominates in store and Amazon dominates online. There it is a fight between one form of retail trade and another. Not a headlong fight. In China, which would have been the logical war zone, both have failed against domestic competition – not least because the playing field is not level (actually tilted a full 90 deg). Hence India, by default, has become the battlefield.
          It actually is peculiar that India is the chosen fighting arena. This is a country where foreign firms are still not allowed to open a store in India. You need domestic partners. Every rabble rousing politician has demonstrated and agitated in the past against allowing wicked foreigners into the retail trade. Most of India\’s retail trade continues to be the mom and pop store. 
          Amazon was the first to enter. Amazon.in is now globally second (distantly) only to Amazon.com in the Amazon universe. E Commerce is still minuscule in India but given India\’s size , even minuscule is big. Amazon has been pouring money into India, adopting the time tested formula from the US. Their competition was Flipkart, a local E Commerce provider. Now Walmart is acquiring Flipkart. This will now become an all out battle between the two for the online market . Right now Flipkart and Amazon.in are close in India with Flipkart being the marginal leader. With the acquisition, Walmart will now be bigger online than Amazon in at least one country.
          I wonder what the other global majors are thinking about all this. Carrefour and Tesco, the old European giants, are not present here at all.  OK Tesco is , via a joint venture, but you would be hard pressed to find a store. The newer European upstarts Aldi, Lidl, et al, can\’t point to India on a map and so, have not come. The Chinese, notably Tmall and JD seem to be interested only in slugging it out in home territory. Alibaba is of course more global in outlook, but they are  in the B2B space. So its just the Americans wanting to fight in India.
          Where is the famous Ramamritham in all this. How come none of the rabble rousers are yelling their heads off against evil Americans ? The truth is that both Ramamritham and the political worthies are old foggies. Neither know how to switch on a computer, let alone how to buy anything online. Events have overtaken these dinosaurs before they have realised what\’s happening. The same thing happened with the Indian IT industry a couple of decades ago. The only way to beat Ramamritham is with something he does not understand.
          So now the war will begin. This blogger is salivating at the prospect. You see, he is a piddling customer of both Amazon and Flipkart. \”When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers\”,  goes the old saying. I beg to differ. When these two elephants fight, it will be the grass that will flourish. I am looking forward to all the lovely deals and freebies !
          https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

          Wallowing in Nostalgia

          This blogger has reached a stage in life where he often turns nostalgic. Ahhh – the good old days … Sigh …
          Today it was nostalgia in ads. All from about 40 years ago. Colour television had not yet come to India (it came with the Asian Games of 1982). Black & White TVs were few and far between and it was perfectly OK to go to your neighbour\’s house to watch TV because they had a set and you didn\’t. Of course, there was only one channel – Doordarshan, the state TV. 
          Ads were primarily through cinema. Before the movie started, there would be a series of ads shown in full colour. Those days, you eagerly looked forward to the ads as much as you looked forward to the movie itself And then when TV came, these ads morphed to TV, but the largest reach was through cinemas for a long time. Of all the ads, there were  3 or 4  that almost everybody knew by heart. We could hum along, skip along to each of them.
          First Gold Spot. When Coca Coal exited India in 1977, a local entrepreneur quickly cashed in with equivalents – Thums Up (Coke), Limca ( a lemon drink) and Gold Spot (Fanta). The Gold Spot ad was a classic – Indians with a taste for Bollywood might recognise a young Javed Jaffrey. Gold Spot, alas, disappeared when Coca Cola reentered India in the late 1990s.
          https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

          Steps Taken to Popularize AYUSH System of Medicine in the Country

          eople across the country are following traditional Indian medical systems of AYUSH. According to the data available, 17,73,75,226 Patients visited Government Health Care Facilities under AYUSH in OPD and 19,57,921 were admitted as inpatients in   2017-18.

          The measures taken by the Ministry of AYUSH for further propagating the natural medical systems are: –

           

          1. The Ministry of AYUSH regularly observes days dedicated to AYUSH Systems of Medicine Viz. International Day of Yoga, Ayurveda Day, Unani Day, Siddha Day, Naturopathy Day, Homoeopathy Day etc. to create awareness about the benefits of the respective AYUSH system of medicine including natural medical systems.
          2. A Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of Information Education and Communication (IEC) in AYUSH has been devised by the Ministry of AYUSH for this purpose. Under this Scheme, the Ministry of AYUSH takes up initiatives to create awareness about and to promote AYUSH systems of medicine including natural medical systems. These initiatives include organizing Arogya Fairs, Melas, Conferences, Exhibitions, Seminars, Workshops, Symposium, Yoga Fests and Ayurveda Parvs. The IEC Scheme also supports undertaking publicity campaigns through electronic media, print media and social media amongst the citizens in the country.
          3. Ministry of AYUSH has established five Research Councils namely CCRAS, CCRUM, CCRS, CCRH & CCRYN for Research in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy, Yoga & Naturopathy respectively. These research councils apart from engaging in clinical/ field research also undertake the following activities: –
          1. Running Mobile health programme catering to backward regions and SC/ST communities
          2. Undertaking health awareness campaigns.
          3. Piloting Innovations like telemedicine with the help of common service centres.

           

          Ministry of AYUSH has already established advanced research institutes in  Indian medical systems through Research Councils.

          1. Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) has 21 Research Centres in different States/UTs for advance research in Homoeopathy.
          2. Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) is carrying out its research activities through its 30 Institutes/Centres/Units located all over India and also through collaborative studies with various Universities, Hospitals and Institutes. The research activities of the Council include Medicinal Plant Research (Medico-Ethno Botanical Survey, Pharmacognosy and Tissue Culture), Drug Standardization, Pharmacological Research, Clinical Research, Literary Research & Documentation and Tribal Health Care Research Programme.
          3. Central Council in Research in Siddha (CCRS) had initiated steps to establish advanced research in Siddha medical systems through IMR and EMR projects. Clinical research, Epidemiological research, Drug research, Literary and fundamental research, and Medicinal plants research are being carried out in these units.  Totally there are 25 ongoing IMR projects and 8 completed IMR projects of CCRS.
          4. CCRS is equipped with state of the art infrastructure with sophisticated instruments in the following departments: Department of Clinical Research, Department of Bio-chemistry, Department of Pathology, Radiology, Department of Chemistry, Department of Pharmacognosy etc.,
          5. CCRS had published 32 books publications and 456 scientific research articles in various indexed international / national peer reviewed journals.
          6. CCRS had signed MoU with reputed institutions / organizations for initiating collaborative research works.
          7. Central Council for Research in Unani Medicines (CCRUM) has also carried out Advance Research on various diseases in collaboration with other renowned academic/scientific institutes.
          8. CCRUM is also authenticating raw drugs as well as compound formulations by implementing Pharmacognostical methods viz., Macroscopy, Microscopy and Powder Microscopy; Physico-chemical methods and instrumental such as TLC fingerprint.

           

          At present there is no such proposal for consideration to establish a University for Siddha and Unani Medical systems in Tamil Nadu on the lines of   Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan  Ayurveda Medical University in Rajasthan. However, the matter comes

          under the purview of State Government.

           

          This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

          ***

          Five Questions to Ask Your Election Candidate (English Version)

          This is the English version of the flyer circulated a little before the last general elections. As mentioned, it got results, but was a little late in the campaign.



          IGNUS-PAHAL
          The one who fights for children’s rights!                         Is the one who will get our vote!
          Five Questions On Our Children’s Rights
          This election may affect your children.  Especially if your would-be representative in legislative assembly keeps the following in mind.
          ·       Education – good / quality education – is everyone’s right. Especially after the RTE, education in every government school should be such that everyone finds it good. But even very poor parents are removing their children from government schools and making sacrifices to send their children to private schools.
          Ask your would-be representative – Question 1: What will you do to ensure appropriate and quality education in government schools?
          ·       Teachers’ salaries have gone up. They now get training from time to time to enable good education for children. There is provision for mid-day-meals, school uniforms, play equipment, learning material – all free. But there is demotivation among teachers. They feel neglected. They feel as if they are not being respected.
          Ask your would-be representative – Question 2: What will you do so that teachers take interest in their work and are committed to the good education of their children?
          ·       According to RTE the responsibility of running/managing the schools will now be with community and panchayats. But the community and the panchayats feel: how can we give any advice to the school? They do not find themselves capable of advising / supporting schools. And they feel this is not even their work.
          Ask your would-be representative – Question 3: What will you do to enable the active involvement of community and panchayats in improving education in our schools?
          ·       Community and parents both expect that education will ensure children’s development as well as employment. But now people say: All this education is going to lead only to unemployment, so it is better that the child be engaged in some wage-earning work right away.
          Ask your would-be representative – Question 4: What will you do so that every member of the community is aware and committed towards the education of their children?
          ·       If we look at the money spent on education, most of it is used for salries, infrastructure and maintenance. Crores of rupees are spent every year on this. Even then our schools and education offices look dirty and disorganized compared to private institutions. And the people responsible for improving education for children cannot even be heard talking about it.
          Ask your would-be representative – Question 5: What will you do so that government schools and education offices look attractive? So that people in the system not only think of children’s improvement but also do what is needed?
          Your views will have an impact, won’t they? But only if you raise these questions! Give your vote only if you get an answer! So go ahead, ask questions, get others to ask, and let us know!!
          https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

          Rajya Sabha to form an informal group of MPs to discuss challenges posed by social media- Vice President

          The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today advised media to provide more coverage to the substantive work being done by the parliament rather than only focusing on sensational remarks or disruptive behavior by some members.

          Presenting the first ‘TVR Shenoy Award for Excellence in Parliamentary Journalism’ to veteran political journalist Shri Vinod Sharma, Shri Naidu called the press as the extension of parliament as it holds the elected representatives accountable to the people whom they represent.

          The Vice President called the parliamentary committees as a beautiful system within our parliamentary system. All members discuss and debate there constructively as there is no media glare, he said.

          However, Shri Naidu expressed concern that the Chairman of the several parliamentary standing committees now complain of only one third of the members attending the meetings on an average. This is a worrying trend, he said. He also said that he is planning to write to all political parties regarding this.

          The Vice President called the role of a parliamentary journalist of critical importance, as people form their opinions based on the information provided by the press. With this information, they analyze and evaluate the performance of their elected representatives and the government.

          Therefore, VP urged the media to not color news with views and stressed the need to maintain objectivity, fairness and accuracy in reporting. “Impartiality and objectivity of press is of supreme importance for a democracy to survive and flourish”, he said.

          Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, who described journalism as ‘service’, Shri Naidu expressed concern over politicians and business groups setting up newspapers and TV channels. “This erodes the credibility and core values of journalism”, he observed.

          He also called upon media bodies to come up with some sort of self regulation to ensure that credibility and reliability of press remains steadfast.

          Highlighting that press fought hard for its freedom, the Vice President called for using this freedom judiciously. He also drew media’s attention towards its responsibility to provide people correct information and educate them on their rights.

          Further, Shri Naidu appealed to media to demystify parliament’s procedures and work, insisting that “people should be able to understand parliament’s functioning in easy and friendly language”. This will inspire them to become active stakeholders in the political processes, he opined.

          Talking about the growing volume of parliamentary data, the Vice President felt a need to invest more in creating infrastructure, tools, capacity and skills for ‘data smart’ journalists.

          “A good data journalist can help the citizens better understand the institution of parliament”, he said, adding that this may also improve the output of MPs as they would become more aware of their performance.

          Shri Naidu also advocated for unhindered access to the important information generated by parliament on a day to day basis in a user friendly format.

          Calling the people’s ‘right to know’ as a vital component for an informed society, Shri Naidu called for a good working relationship between the parliamentarians and journalists. If their relationship becomes too adversarial or too close, it would undermine the public’s ‘right to know’, he added.

          Talking about the impact of social media on the institution of parliament and parliamentarians, VP said that it enables MPs to reach their constituencies directly and is also a good medium for obtaining public feedback.

          However, he also cautioned the parliamentarians to be aware of social media’s potential to spread fake news and misinformation. In this regard, he called for the creation of a system of checks and balances to curb the possible misuse of social media by anti social elements.

          In this regard, Shri Naidu said that Rajya Sabha will form an informal group of MPs to discuss various challenges posed by social media, such as the spread of pornographic content.

          He expressed worry that this trend on social media is misleading the children and posing the biggest challenge to Indian values by devaluing our age old family system.

          Appreciating the initiative by Prof. K.V. Thomas Vidyadhanam Trust to institute an award to honour late Shri T.V.R. Shenoy, Vice President said that Shri Shenoy was an illustrious journalist and editor who served the public cause through his writings for five decades.

          I also congratulate Shri Vinod Sharma, Political Bureau Chief, Hindustan Times on being conferred first TVR Shenoy Award for Excellence in Parliamentary Journalism.

          Shri A.K Antony, former Defence Minister, Prof. K.V. Thomas, Chairman, Trust, Dr. Omcheri NN Pillai, Chairman of Jury and Smt. Sarojam, wife of late Shri TVR Shenoy were among the dignitaries present at the event.

          Following is the full text of the speech –

          “Dear Shri A.K Antony Ji, former Defence Minister

          Priof. K.V. Thomas, Chairman, Trust,

          Shri Vinod Sharma, Political Chief of Bureau, Hindustan Times

          Dr. Omcheri NN Pillai, Chairman of Jury

          Mrs. TVR Shenoy

          Ladies and gentlemen,

          I am very happy to be among you on this special occasion of presenting the TVR Shenoy Award for Excellence in Parliamentary Journalism.

          Friends,

          Shri T.V.R. Shenoy was an illustrious journalist and editor who served the public cause through his writings for five decades. A reporter par excellence, he wrote extensively on issues ranging from politics, economy to international affairs and wars.

          In early nineties, his investigative journalism led to the expose of several banking and stock market scams including the Harshad Mehta scam.

          Shri Shenoy was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2003 for his services to the nation.

          I appreciate the initiative by Prof. K.V. Thomas Vidyadhanam Trust to honour late Shri Shenoy by instituting an award in his name.

          I also congratulate Shri Vinod Sharma, Political Bureau Chief, Hindustan Times on being conferred first TVR Shenoy Award for Excellence in Parliamentary Journalism. Shri Sharma is a very familiar face to me as he has been reporting on the parliament for more than 25 years.

          Dear friends,

          The importance of a parliamentary journalist can not be overemphasized in a parliamentary democracy.

          Our parliament debates and discusses various issues of national importance everyday.

          It is a place where major policy decisions are taken.

          It is the place where governments form and collapse.

          It is the source of valuable political ideas and points of view.

          And the people as important stakeholders in democratic process have a right to know how parliament is functioning, what it is discussing and debating.

          They want to know what their elected representatives are saying or doing.

          A parliamentary reporter has crucial responsibility of reporting all of this to the public.

          People form their opinions based on this information provided by the press. With this information, they make up their minds whether or not to support a candidate in next election …. They analyze and evaluate the performance of their government.

          That is why the role of a parliamentary journalist assumes critical importance in the way he decides which issues to publicise or what angle to give to a new story.  His work and orientation plays an important role in scrutinizing the functioning of the parliament, government and the oppostion.

          That is why press is often called as the extension of parliament. It holds the elected representatives accountable to the people whom they represent.

          Therefore impartiality and objectivity of press is of supreme importance for a democracy to survive and flourish.

          Friends,

          Time and again, I have urged the media to not color news with views and stressed the need to maintain objectivity, fairness and accuracy. The neutrality and sanctity of newsrooms should be upheld at all times.

          Our Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, who was an eminent journalist is his own right had said that, –

          “I realized that the sole aim of journalism should be service. The newspaper press is a great power, but just as an unchained torrent of water submerges whole countryside and devastates crops, even so an uncontrolled pen serves but to destroy. If the control is from without, it proves more poisonous than want of control. It can be profitable only when exercised from within.”

          But today we see even many politicians and business groups setting up newspapers and TV channels. With these mediums under their control, the reporting can become distorted. This erodes the credibility and core values of journalism.

          Therefore, I feel that media bodies need to come up with some sort of self regulation to ensure that credibility and reliability of press remains steadfast.

          Friends,

          The cardinal principle of journalism is to present fair, objective, accurate and balanced information to the reader and viewer without journalists assuming the role of the gatekeepers. This is particularly true while reporting on a political controversy. Rather than opining which argument is the strongest, a good political reporter should lays out all the arguments and facts without bias, and let the people take a decision on the relative merits of the arguments.

          Dear friends,

          Press fought hard for its freedom and this freedom should be used judiciously.  Article 19 (1)(a) of the Constitution guarantees to the citizen, the right to “Freedom of speech and expression”. With regard to parliamentary privileges also, press has full protection as long as reporting is true, without malice and for public good.

          However, freedom and responsibility cannot be considered as inseparable. There can not be unfettered freedom without any responsibility.

          The media has the onerous responsibility to not only provide unadulterated and correct information, but also educate the people on their rights as well.

          Friends,

          When it comes to reporting on the parliament, media has one more special responsibility.

          It should uncode and demystify parliamentary proceedings and procedures to the larger public. People should be able to understand parliament’s functioning in easy and friendly language.

          I appreciate that many news organizations are already doing good work in this direction, specially while reporting the budget, but more needs to be done.

          Many parliamentarians do a lot of research and put forth their views in the parliament. This should be covered more extensively rather than only some sensational remarks or disruptive behavior.

          This will enable a deeper understanding of the functioning of Indian parliamentary system among the masses inspiring them to become active stakeholders in the political processes shaping the destiny of their lives and the nation.

          I suggest that similar efforts need to be made with respect to the growing volume of the parliamentary data.

          Friends,

          Recently, I saw a new story titled as ‘Rajya Sabha records 90% productivity in first week of winter session’.

          This is the power of data.

          A good data journalist can help the citizens better understand the institution of parliament. The members of parliament may also become more aware of their performance. The output may improve as a consequence.

          Therefore, I feel that there is a need to invest in creating infrastructure, tools, capacity and skills for ‘data smart’ journalists.

          At the same time, there should be unhindered access to the important information generated by parliament on a day to day basis in a user friendly format. This would help masses in gaining better understanding of the functioning of Parliament, participation of MPs and various legislative proposals under consideration.

          Dear friends,

          For a democracy to thrive, it is desirable that there should be a good working relationship between the parliamentarians and journalists.

          The media on one hand, communicates parliamentary activities to the citizens, and on the other it also provides valuable feedback on public opinions.

          Thus media creates a two-way flow of information which is vital for the healthy functioning of democracy and good governance.

          Dear friends,

          If this relationship between the parliamentarians and journalists becomes too adversarial or too close, it would undermine the public’s ‘right to know’.

          And this ‘right to know’ is a vital component in our quest for an informed society and informed democracy.

          This is important for empowerment of our citizens.

          But at times it is observed that adjournments and commotion tend to make news rather than substantive debates on important issues.

          Therefore, I would urge my friends in media to not focus on sensationalism and ‘bite journalism’ and impartially report the multiplicity of views expressed by Members in the parliament.

          Friends,

          In the end, I come to the impact of latest technological developments – such as social media – on the institution of parliament and parliamentarians.

          It is true that social media has enabled parliamentarians to reach their constituencies directly, bypassing journalists. Social media also provides a good medium for obtaining public feedback.

          But, the parliamentarians have to be aware of the pitfalls of the social media which has tremendous scope to spread fake news and misinformation. We need to create a system of checks and balances to curb the possible misuse of social media by anti social elements.

          Dear friends,

          In the end, I once again congratulate Shri Vinod Sharma for the prestigious award.

          Wishing you all the best.

          Jai Hind!”

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          National Conference on PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN SUSTAINABLE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN SPORTS, ORGANIZATIONS & COMMUNITY HEALTH

          ABOUT CONFERENCE

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          Sustainable Human development is development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In this regards the practice and research in Psychology provides culturally appropriate Psychological Science, Interventions, behavioural approaches and the Environment for Sustainable Human Development in Sports, Organizations and Community Health. This conference provides a critical platform to the ideas and work emerging from for learners, practitioners, educators of Psychology to seek the ways are fostered and Sustainable Human Development within Sports, Organizations and Community Health contexts, through process of knowledge production.
          OBJECTIVES OF THE CONFERENCE
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          *      This conference provides a critical platform to the ideas and work emerging from for learners, practitioners, educators of Psychology to seek the ways are fostered and Sustainable Human Development within Sports, Organizations and Community Health contexts, through process of knowledge production.
          *      We are interested in exploring and showcasing scholastics, activism, practice, and basic academic commitment, from around the globe that tries to bring about sustainability, inclusivity, and wellbeing for all through Psychological Contributions.
          SIGNIFICANCE AND ADVANTAGES TO WHO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE
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          The event goes for bringing a broad assortment of Psychology specialists running from standard Psychologists to for the most part abnormal study of mind, behaviourism and so on and moreover put something an excellent highlight at Educating and illuminating psychology specialists with the latest information of marketing methods that can be associated with counter the undervaluation psychology practices face. Psychological contribute to Sustainable Human Development in Sports, Organizations and Community Health, is a generally recent issue. One manner by which psychology is important, is its application to fix a portion of the drop out of unsustainable human development e.g., disaster relief and psychological versatility building in the wake of cataclysmic events realized by man-made environmental change, or strife decrease through peaceful correspondence, injury interventions and harmony building in the wake of contentions between ethnic gatherings or over extraction of assets. Another noteworthy way psychology can be applicable is as an indicator of unsustainable human development. Health is at the focal point of sustainable human development and a general public is unsustainable if its monetary and social frameworks and institutions are compromising mental just as physical health. A diminishing in prosperity, for example, rising rates of pressure related issue, melancholy and suicide, dementias, perpetual insomnia, consideration shortfall and momentary memory issues, all point to unhealthy and in the long haul, unsustainable parts of the earth, particularly for youth 
          The Conference is simply the perfect way to deal with place assets into yourself and your occupation. Get inspiration and a fresh viewpoint from the imperativeness of your partners as you submerge yourself in instructive learning sessions drove by a bit of the business\’ most brilliant, most inventive characters who will outfit you with information about the key drivers of fundamental business limits, answers for legitimate challenges, and methods and vital ideas with quantifiable outcomes.
          VENUE OF THE CONFERENCE
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          V. P. S. P. M. S. Arts, Commerce & Science College, Kannad, Hivarkheda – Gautala Road, Tq. Kannad, Dist Aurangabad, Maharashtra, 431103
          ABOUT COLLEGE
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          Welcome to V. P. S. P. M. S. Arts, Science & Commerce College, Kannad. This college is started with the Nobel aim of spreading light of knowledge to the rural hilly economically backward class students of this area. This area has sizable number of tribal students. The college provides quality educations to the socially backward class students. The college has 10 acres of land with beautiful natural ambience. We cater according to the need of students in the era of globalization. The college arranges various programmes and activities for all round personality developments of the students. The college emphasizes on computer education, science & English language. College imparts update knowledge to the students by providing internet facility, library books & magazines. Our college interacts with people from all walks of the life. It has become leading institute imparting education.
          ABOUT KANNAD

          Kannad city is located in Kannad Taluka, in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state, India. It is located 56 KM towards North from District head quarters Aurangabad. 

          Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary is located within its borders. Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary is a protected area of Maharashtra state, India. It lies in the Satmala and Ajantha hill ranges of the Western Ghats, and administratively is in Aurangabad District and Jalgaon District. The wildlife sanctuary was established in 1986 in an existing reserved forest area. Its name comes the nearby village of Gautala, which was itself named after Gautam Rishi, a Hindu ascetic mentioned in the Ramcharitmanas.

          v Pitalkhora Caves located 20 km away from Kannad. The Pitalkhora Caves, in the Satamala range of the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India, are an ancient Buddhist site consisting of 14 rock-cut cave monuments which date back to the third century BCE, making them one of the earliest examples of rock-cut architecture in India.
          v Ellora Caves located 30 km away from Kannad. Ellora is a World Heritage Site located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India. It is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world, featuring Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments, and artwork, dating from the 600–1000 CE period.
          v Grishneshwar Temple, sometimes referred to as the Ghrneshwar or Dhushmeshwar temple, is one of the shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva that is referenced in the Shiva Purana. The word Ghrneshwara means \”lord of compassion\”. The temple is an important pilgrimage site in the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, which considers it as the last or twelfth Jyotirlinga (linga of light). This pilgrimage site is located in Ellora (also called Verul), less than a kilometer from Ellora Caves. It is about 30 km away from Kannad,
          v Ajanta Caves located 98 km away from Kannad. The Ajanta Caves are rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India. The caves include paintings and rock-cut sculptures described as among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art, particularly expressive paintings that present emotion through gesture, pose and form.
          HOW TO REACH KANNAD
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          Kannad town is reachable from Aurangabad and Chalisgaon Rail Way Station. Distance between Aurangabad to Kannad is 56 km by road and Chalisgaon to Kannad is 34 km by road
          The convenient and fastest way for people who came through South Central Railway zone i.e. Aurangabad Railway Station may get the MSRTC Bus from the Central Bus Stand Aurangabad to reach Kannad City.  

          THEMATIC AREAS

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          Ø  Sports and Mental Health
          Ø  Anxiety or Energy Management
          Ø  Attention and Concentration Control (focusing)
          Ø  Imagery, Visualization, Self-talk & Mental Practice
          Ø  Goal Setting, Team Building
          Ø  Time Management/Organization
          Ø  Organizational Behaviour
          Ø  Personal Management in Organization
          Ø  Conflict and Communication in Organizations
          Ø  Leadership in Sports, Organizations and Community
          Ø  Interpersonal Relationship in Sports, Organizations and Community
          Ø  Diversity related to interpersonal relation
          Ø  Conflict and Communication in Organizations
          Ø  Motivation and human behaviour
          Ø  Yoga & Meditation
          Ø  Community mental health
          Ø  Stressful aspects of sports, community and organizational environments
          Ø  Stressful life events in sports, community and organizational environments
          Ø  Attitude and Values in sports, Organizations and community
          Ø  Community Based Intervention
          Ø  Psychological sense of community
          Ø  Preventative strategy in social and mental health
          Ø  Support systems and community mental health
          Ø  Community experimentation
          Ø  Culture and Community Psychology 
          Ø Capacity building in sports, Organizations and community
          Ø  Community health and wellbeing
          Ø  Sustainable communities 
          Ø  Prevention in substance abuse, delinquency
          Ø  Building relationships between individuals and community groups
          Ø  Social Ecological Thinking to Community Psychology
          Ø  Positioning the Critical in Community Psychology
          Ø  Feminism and Community Psychology
          Ø  Community Psychology in the Policy Arena
          Ø  Policy of Government in Psycho-Social and its Implication.
          Ø  Emerging Global Trends in Life Span Development Child Care
          Ø  Perspectives of Community Development
          Ø  Home Science/ Home Economics towards Young India
          Ø   Public health, Nutrition and Food Safety
          Ø  Issues and challenges of contemporary families
          Ø  Ascertaining quality care in early childhood
          Ø  Innovative strategies for promoting family and community well- being
          Ø  Home Science for sustainable human development
          Ø   Community mobilization and gender sensitization
          Ø  Ergonomics and drudgery reduction
          Ø  Emerging trends in Home Science/ Home Economics
          Ø  Community Health Problems related to sanitation, environment, personal hygiene & pollution
          Ø  Community Health and nutritional education
          Ø  Nutritional problems of the community and its remedies
          Ø  Health needs of special groups – women, infants, children and adolescents
          Ø  Community nutrition and health problems


          IMPORTANT DATES

          October 25th, 2019
          Abstracts Submission Deadline
          October 31st, 2019
          Notification Regarding Acceptance of Abstracts Submission
          November 15th, 2019
          Final Paper Submission & Early Bird Registration Deadline
          December 20-21, 2019
          Conference Dates
          December 20th, 2019
          Conference Opening ceremony
          December 21st, 2019
          Conference Closing ceremony
          Abstracts for oral presentations, posters, and symposia may be submitted only electronically using the Scientific Committee at email address vpconfpsy@gmail.com.
          https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

          Government has set up Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) to provide exposure to science and technology to students

          The Government of India is encouraging the schools to provide exposure to science and technology to students so that they can be acquainted with futuristic technology platforms. Government has setup the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) at NITI Aayog. The objective of establishing AIM is to create scientific temper and cultivate the spirit of curiosity and innovation among young minds. Towards this end, AIM is establishing Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATL) across the country for students between grade 6th to 12th, equipped with latest emerging technologies such as electronics, IoT, 3D printing, Robotics, etc.

          In schools, AIM facilitates to set up network of ATL in India. The vision of ATL initiative is to ‘Cultivate 1 Million children in India as Neoteric Innovators’. The objective of this scheme is to foster curiosity, creativity and imagination in young minds and inculcate skills such as design mind-set, computational thinking, adaptive learning, physical computing, rapid calculations, measurements, etc.  As on date, 8878 schools have been selected and 4680 schools have been given the ATL grant in aid for establishment of ATL.

          A total of Rs. 1000 crores are currently earmarked for AIM up to financial year 2019-20. There is no direct allocation of funds at a state/district level by AIM. The disbursement of the funds is directly made by AIM to the beneficiaries and administered centrally.

          This information was given by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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