News & Views: Genetically Modified Food

Today while reading I came across this link -- http://is.gd/F4fJIl

Summary: This editorial opinion says how majority of the scientist says its safe to eat Genetically Modified Foods (GMF), and hence extrapolate that 'We don’t need labels on genetically modified foods'

Opinion: I think there are two points here that needs to be underlined.

1. People need to know what they are reading if they are interested. The right to know/transparency is an important part of the democracy.

2. This is not even 50 years old. To understand the full effects of it you need at-least three generations of a family, the first gen that had started eating GMF, second that was born to them and grew up eating GMF, and the third which had parents who grew up eating GMF and now they are too. Only when this third generation matured to old age can we be sure about its side-affects. Until then we are dealing with theories and probabilities.

Opinion on "The Senate Committee's Report on the CIA's Use of Torture"

Ever since "The Senate Committee's Report on the CIA's Use of Torture" has come out in the public domain there are two extreme views that I see. Those who would be saying the reports stand that torture was not required and it was extremism and compromised on humanity etc. The other's who would characteristically say the report is wrong, and it was because of the torture that many lives were saved.

I believe the truth is perhaps somewhere in between. Till now I was avoiding to write on it, but now at-least there is one expert who thinks on the same lines although they have left some questions in their article. Obviously since it seems like an American author so I wouldn't get into the details of his biases.

Now coming back, before getting into the moral questions lets try and recall what had happened. In India it was approx 9 in the evening in India when America was attacked.

It was typically a situation that was 1. Not anticipated. 2. And no one had any clue. 3. The top management, in this case the bureaucrats and the politicians who were perhaps thinking they were back in the wild wild west, where everything is my-way or the highway. And hence what followed next was more of a logical conclusion

Stratfor has perhaps got the entire thing closest to reality that most people while are calm now, were jittery then. They correctly diagnosed the problem: "The use of torture was not part of a competent intelligence effort, but a response to a massive intelligence failure."

On torture and what went wrong with US was perhaps quoted by the report as: "The problem with torture — as with other exceptional measures — is that it is useful, at best, in extraordinary situations. The problem with all such techniques in the hands of bureaucracies is that the extraordinary in due course becomes the routine, and torture as a desperate stopgap measure becomes a routine part of the intelligence interrogator's tool kit."

As far as the moral dilemma is concerned. There is a time when you don't know anything, so you get people who deliver with perhaps dubious means and then you build capability and transfer to achieve things in the right way.

This could have sound counter-intuitive and extremely grey. But we need to accept, not everything in life is in black or white. Many things are out-rightly in between.

Sharing Ideas for hiring website

People are shy of sharing ideas, I believe knowledge should always be shared. 

Recently while checking some websites for jobs I came across some ideas and shared it with one of the job site founders. I don’t know if the mail was correct or not but looking back I find it quite funny, wonder what the person at the other end thought.

Let me share the mail here.

Hi,
I will skip the formalities of introducing myself because that is irrelevant and get to my suggestions.
On the hiring side I think you should collect two set of data/response to question/
1. Are you looking for someone with the same industry experience?
2. Are you looking for people with skill set that would suit your company and bring in diversity of skill-set and perhaps lateral thinking capability?
And accordingly mark all jobs either (1) People with industry experience or (2) cross functional experience.
This will help identify HRs on what they want. People from within industry may not always get them fresh thinking but maybe the HRs don't want it. If it comes out clearly then it can be mapped to the persons field. Hence making acceptance and rejection easier.
In any domain, a job can be bracketed in between creative, operations/coordination and management. You can start the paid module where each applicant's experience is distilled into these either manually or programming and from there you can advice on best matches if the HRs are looking for cross-functional hiring.
I don't think there is any job website which looks from this perspective. If I have not been articulate enough about my suggestion but you are interested then let me know when you are in Mumbai and relatively free.
Its merely a suggestion based on my observations. Good luck!
--
Warm regards,

It was nice of the founder to actually reply that they were working on something similar. Which confirmed that I was not the only one thinking about the problem. Rather there were people who were also thinking about the solution. 

Modi. A hope for many.

Recently I came across an article where an NRI had written why he is gung-ho on India. Since I don’t have his permission to put up the entire thing, let me just put up the points on why he is so bullish:

Lets call the gentleman Mr A. So Mr A says, "There have been very few world leaders who have possessed a combination of Modi’s extraordinary vision, drive, experience, and charisma." The way he arrived at this conclusion was --

1. In the May 2014 elections, Narendra Modi won an unprecedented mandate and has completely transformed the landscape of Indian politics.
2. Narendra Modi is the first Prime Minister of India who has come to power at the national level after demonstrating proven leadership in one of the most economically vibrant states of India—Gujarat.
3. The State of Gujarat, where he was the Chief Minister (U.S. equivalent of Governor) for more than a decade, has seen unparalleled economic progress due to his success in rooting out corruption, enhancing infrastructure, and improving governance, thereby making Gujarat the most sought after state in India for not only foreign direct investment (FDI) but also for investment by mega Indian business houses such as Tatas and Ambanis.
4. Modi became the first person in India to run a Presidential-style campaign for the highest political office in the country.
5. No other leader has garnered as much support and warmth on foreign soil. More than two dozen U.S. Senators, Governors, Congressmen, and Congresswomen attended the event.
6. Mr Modi will focus on India’s three unique strengths -- (a) Democratic institutions. (b) Demographic dividend (c) Gigantic market place
7. Mr. Modi has also brought with him a clean brand of politics which has been uncommon in India. There are a large percentage of lawmakers in India who are in trouble with the law. Mr. Modi has consciously selected a trustworthy cabinet which does not include many of his own party’s stalwarts and old guard and he himself possesses an impeccable record.
8. On the centenary year of Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa, Mr. Modi has given a clarion call to all Indians living abroad to return to India and contribute to its economy
9. The Mission to Mars that India is proud of launching recently is a crown jewel in the country’s progress in science and technology. He quipped that the mission cost less than a quarter per mile to launch.

PM Modi has done a lot of good things (from a businessman's perspective). If I am running an MNC I think he is the best PM to have. But everything comes at a price. The only question is whether one is more interested in next 10 years or would like to look at it from a longer term perspective maybe 100 years or more and hence take steps while understanding the full consequence of their actions.

During the great depression Franklin D Roosevelt had written, "The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it; if it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something." His thinking was the government needs to try something to bring growth, and FDR understood that not everything will work. And he was prepared for it.

If look at it more closely, there were two factors that supported FDRs thinking, the international laws were not as complicated nor were they as enforceable as they are today, and one could always use their military strength to deal with an unfavorable outcome. Communication modes were still developing, and the country had more resources and less people.

But our PM Modi doesn't have that edge that FDR had.

Less talked about facts

1. Though Modi is not the sole culprit, but knowing him I wouldn't be surprised if he actually weakens the court structure. It was not strong earlier nor free of corruption, but now it will be easy for politicians to corrupt it or run it on their whims and fancies. This is a major flaw that we are about to introduce.

The government has introduced two bills in Parliament on the appointment of judges of the Supreme Court and high courts. One of these is a Constitution amendment bill, which proposes that the current system of consultation with the chief justice of India and other senior judges be replaced by recommendations from a new body called the judicial appointments commission (JAC). The other bill specifies the composition of the JAC and its functions. Together, these two bills may have enabled the dilution of some of the safeguards in the current system of appointments. 

The process of judges selecting their new colleagues is sought to be modified so that the executive also has a role to play. The Constitution is being amended so that the process of "consultation" with judges is replaced by "the recommendation of the judicial appointments commission". The Constitution amendment bill also removes the proviso that requires consultation with the CJI. It adds a new Article 124A, which states that Parliament may, by law, determine the composition of the JAC, the appointment, qualification and terms of service of its chairperson and members, its functions and the manner of selection of judges.

Read more on: 
http://www.prsindia.org/theprsblog/?p=2987
http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/case-not-closed/1164724/0

2. Secondly his coming in power will dilute the environment ministry and forest ministry and get all projects cleared at central level. But effective implementation in most cases will be done by the state government. Now the government can definitely come to the aid by allowing all development to take place on the area that comes under the jurisdiction of the central government forests. Two we don’t live in the 19th century where growth is only important, sustainability is also something that we need to keep an eye on.

Through a quick series of notifications, the Union environment ministry has eased rules for mining, roads, power and irrigation projects and other industrial sectors. It has diluted a host of regulations related to environment, forest and tribal rights. 

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar had earlier done away with the requirement of public hearing for coal mines below 16 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) wishing to expand output by up to 50 per cent. This has now been extended to mines above 16 mtpa, permitting them to mine up to five mtpa more without consulting affected people.

The need for consent from gram sabhas for prospecting in forests has also been done away with. This dilutes the Forest Rights Act, which requires the consent of tribals before forest land is diverted to industrial activity.

So if there is a new drawn support for naxalites then we will just have to accept the consequences.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/nda-eases-green-rules-to-push-investments-114080700031_1.html

http://business-humanrights.org/en/india-eased-industry-regulations-may-endanger-human-rights

I don’t say what he has done is wrong, perhaps it was right but in being pro-industry don’t ravage your own population. Visit the ground and solve problems on case to case basis, in such cases there is no one size fits all approach.

3. The current tactics of polarizing to win elections is setting up a poor precedent for the future. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-29828802

And hence it is important to see how he deals with the fringe organisations like RSS, VHP, Bajrangdal etc.

1. http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-11-09/righteous-hate-returns-to-india
2. http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/bhavnagar-model-muslim-buys-house-cant-move-in/

Gujarat’s new compulsory reading list for government primary and secondary students doesn’t just seek to educate students on “facts” about India’s culture, history and geography. It also has its own take on science, particularly landmark inventions. 

“…America wants to take the credit for invention of stem cell research, but the truth is that India’s Dr Balkrishna Ganpat Matapurkar has already got a patent for regenerating body parts…. You would be surprised to know that this research is not new and that Dr Matapurkar was inspired by the Mahabharata. Kunti had a bright son like the sun itself. When Gandhari, who had not been able to conceive for two years, learnt of this, she underwent an abortion. From her womb a huge mass of flesh came out. (Rishi) 

Dwaipayan Vyas was called. He observed this hard mass of flesh and then he preserved it in a cold tank with specific medicines. He then divided the mass of flesh into 100 parts and kept them separately in 100 tanks full of ghee for two years. After two years, 100 Kauravas were born of it. On reading this, he (Matapurkar) realised that stem cell was not his invention. This was found in India thousands of years ago.” — Page 92-93, Tejomay Bharat 

“We know that television was invented by a priest from Scotland called John Logie Baird in 1926. But we want to take you to an even older Doordarshan… Indian rishis using their yog vidya would attain divya drishti. There is no doubt that the invention of television goes back to this… In Mahabharata, Sanjaya sitting inside a palace in Hastinapur and using his divya shakti would give a live telecast of the battle of Mahabharata… to the blind Dhritarashtra”. — Page 64

And I am not sure how PM Modi will put the foundations of technological brilliance when we are about teach such stuff to our students. Most certainly I would like to see how the Indian Diaspora explain this to their children.

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat/science-lesson-from-gujarat-stem-cells-in-mahabharata-cars-in-veda/

4. His cabinet selection is poor too. Let me quote Reuters on it --

Attempted murder, waging war on the state, criminal intimidation and fraud are some of the charges on the rap sheets of ministers Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed to the cabinet on Sunday, jarring with his pledge to clean up politics. 

Seven of 21 new ministers face prosecution, taking the total in the 66-member cabinet to almost one third, a higher proportion than before the weekend expansion. 

At least five people in the cabinet have been charged with serious offences such as rape and rioting.

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/new-junior-minister-for-education-faces-charges-of-forging-his-marksheet-620584

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/police-unable-to-identify-union-minister-nihal-chands-address-to-deliver-summons/?SocialMedia

http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/11/10/india-politics-crime-idINKCN0IU1A920141110

Although the inclusion seems more political, because of what I hear from various journalist is that all powers have been centralized with the secretaries and all decisions are routed through PMO. And there is not many exceptions except for Finance Minister.

5. Things that are neither new nor surprising, but I don’t know why people talk about them.

• People of Indian Origin. If my memory serves right every new govt gives that call, especially if it’s an NDA government, good for NRI’s to take part in India’s growth story. It is standard road show. 
• Mars mission is not jewel in his crown, every government passes the rules, and scientists work on it. Maybe most people are not aware but ISRO makes profit also, as it launches number of satellite for different countries and companies.

“Globally, the space industry business turnover was $160 billion, while at Antrix it was $200 million,” said Dr.V S Hegde during July 2011 while taking over as chief of Antrixand; as quoted in a report in The Hindu newspaper.

There are so many things which run independently or go in their own routine it is best they are not given undue attention.

1. http://www.indiaspend.com/cover-story/but-indias-space-adventures-make-money-too-77331
2. http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/why-the-outcry-over-isros-mars-mission-cost-is-stupid-215627.html
3. http://www.livemint.com/Industry/wVmPLdPA759oFCHMmZYjvK/ISRO-makes-40-million-profit-out-of-W2M-satellite.html

Not all hope is lost.

It seems PM Modi wants something good for the country as well. Like when he said he wants a moratorium to all hate and violence for next 10 years on 15th Aug speech.

He has also forced bureaucrats and colleagues refraining to go out for lunches with businessmen or meeting them outside office, hence making crony capitalism a bit difficult. Everyone has been advised to stay disciplined and focused. (http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/dear-lutyens-reporters-welcome-to-the-club-114111200894_1.html)

He has given promotion to a number of capable IAS, especially to all those who had not hesitated to take on the politicians in the previous government and off-late he seems to be giving chances to his critics, his choice for Chief Economic Advisor, although I am not sure if that will always the case.

The relationship and the groundwork that PM Dr Singh had done in his 10 years on foreign relationships is being properly utilised by PM Modi since he took over charge. All the roadshows and foreign trips reflect that he is trying to capitalise on it and perhaps saying the right things (minus the part when PM Modi said "may the power be with you" while on trip to USofA)

Summing up

Therefore, it is important to not only look at only the negatives or the positives or taking myopic view. What is necessary is to acknowledge all of it and show all facets so that if the leadership is making mistakes then it is able to correct the course but if it’s a systematic exploitation then the same is noticed at the earliest. To be blinded by any one side will surely lead to exploitation and create a bubble.

Mahatma Gandhi had said, “It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.” And Albert Einstein had said, "A true genius admits that he/she knows nothing." I am not even a percent as smart as these giants were. So I could be wrong about PM Modi. Nonetheless it is too early at this stage to not be careful, small signs of trouble have also surfaced along with hope. 

Change in working style – political reporters in India

I have started falling back on my idea of writing everyday. As said earlier, I was travelling, but then agree its more of an excuse. Perhaps I could have written. Just don't know how or when. 

Off late I have had the chance to read up on certain interesting pieces and also think through some of the problems. For example. 

There was an interesting article in Business Standard on how government reporters are now finding it difficult to get information from the Lutyens. (Click here.) The author then writes about how the flow of information is very stifling on the corporate side.

The one sentence from the article that perhaps can sum up the problem when corporate stifle reporters from carrying their job would be --

"When an entire group gives up probing on a certain company altogether that results in blow ups such as Satyam and NSEL scam."

Perhaps something similar can happen with the government as well if it starts creating choking the freedom of the press. Perhaps political reporters should take a leaf from the corporate reporters' book. Now political reporters should also start reading all documents and make noise for transparency in governance.

They should perhaps think of themselves as auditors who are looking for paper trails and mismatch in the stories or some hard facts. It will increase the work load but perhaps this may be the new way of working.

Sometimes the only way of doing an interesting thing or achieving even decent result is by slogging hard. Now the time has come for journalist to show if they are in the profession because they actually like it or if it was just a coincidence and they don't like to do hard work. 

Developing a habit that I don't want!!

I am sure we all want some good skills to inculcate like thinking clearly. Being flawless in our writing. Even I would want those two. After reading and thinking through for sometime now, I have realised there is only one way to develop those two skills for someone like myself. 

Write everyday!!! A better idea would be to aim to write about 500 words. No excuse, maybe give yourself a break on Sunday but that's about it. It also requires building some sense of routine for few years at least so that it becomes second nature. 

While its easy to talk about, there would inevitably be some challenges as well. The perception of challenge will change from person to person. I think, there would be two challenges that I will have to grapple with: the effort of typing everyday and pushing it to 500 words and the second would be of ideas. 

My solution would be that I will write before leaving for office early in the morning either after I wake up or just before I go to sleep in  the night. Although sometimes I may not write 500 words, but I guess that is ok to start with, as long as I do put up the effort to write something everyday. For the second challenge there are two or three possible solutions. First I also write my opinion of what ever has been there in the media. The second solution would be to write what happened the previous day or that day, this will depend upon the activity level or third write on some topic based on suggestion of my friends, and other acquaintances. In fact if you are reading this and dont know me yet, then even you can ask me to write on some particular subject or facet of life. Feel free to leave your comment.

Well now that I have stated the aim and the challenge in it as well, let's see how far this goes. Today being the first day, I plan to use this as my first piece as part of the plan.