"Bonus"

It funny the way American media and the politicians are shouting over the AIG executives being paid the bonus.

There are some who want the bonus to be either returned or capped for "xyz complicated reasons."

Then there are those who are fighting that it should be paid if not, "we should consider it, the end of capitalism. And that without 'bonus' senior management will not feel motivated to work and show performance. Therefore, the company (AIG) should pay them (the management) bonus and kick them out."

I checked up on answer.com for its meaning and their business dictionary said -

1. Compensation paid to an employee or employees for achieving a particular sales goal or organizational objective. This is above and beyond either a Commission or a Salary. A corporation achieving a 10% increase in profits may distribute part of the earnings as a bonus to its employees.

2. An unexpected benefit occurring as the result of making a particular action.

That sounds simple. Doesn't it? Maybe the simple reason for not paying the business is for failing to make any profit. So why not just state the simple reason rather than fuming and writing 1000 of words when you can finish it in less than 200.

And if some are still advocating that it (bonus) should be paid then just ask them, why? And, how do they define 'Bonus'? Also which private company pays bonus for failing?

I think these questions will be enough to get the desired results.

Curious Olympics?

Recently I received a mail from a friend of mine, given below is the text of that mail.

What do you say? why should a country bid to host games such as commonwealth, Olympics and so on...

I think there are two factors: pride, and economic growth. I think that growth comes first, and pride follows...

It helps create employment, infrastructure development. The expenditure that the govt incur to prepare for the games gets reimbursed through increase in tourism during those games, and thereafter the image that the country creates for itself attracts further investments and tourism.

So pride / image is just a means to faster growth, and the latter remains the primary objective.

On the other hand, there is a considerable risk: if the govt is not able to provide with sufficient facilities to the guests during those games, then its image takes a beating, and problems follow...

Well before proceeding to the answer, a simple understanding is must; life is not mathematical i.e. 2+2=4, this doesn't happen in life of an individual, entity, nation etc. It's complex!

So assuming that its about economic or pride first and then the there is a follow up of the element would be wrong. Let me put it this way, there are few essential things that happens.

- Government improves infrastructure for a simple reason to give employment and show there is work being allotted. This keeps 'social unrest' away.

- Some business man gets involved to earn money.

- Power brokers and some leaders or people near to the decision makers take their cut and support it also making sure they don't have to bear any downside.

- Now to make sure that the nation can be united there are different policy that statesmen adhere to for example feel superior and hate others is also one of them (have already mentioned this one in my previous blog)

Now it is not that any one factor be termed as major and the other as minor, nor can their be any priority. They all work in tandem. And some where in this whole circus it depends who is more powerful, the traders or the power mongers, who can go to any length to keep power to themselves.

The Mob Psychology

Man is an animal, albeit a social one. We all follow only the “mob psychology.” Best part, most of the time we don’t know that we are following the mob.

Probably we do it to avoid the constant clash of identity, not in all cases but definitely most.

When at home, each of us is an individual, then venturing outside the house, but within the block we identify ourselves with the family or the house. Doesn’t mean that we don’t pay heed the normal identity but to back our self as to ‘who I am?’, we tend to add a secondary identity.

Then once we are in the other part of the town, we tend to identify from out block/colony etc.

The moment one steps out of the city the identity gets bigger too, because while introducing we tend to give the name of the city.

Well just go outside your state or another part of the country and your identity gets promoted. Didn’t get it, the ‘bhaiya’ problem in Mumbai, does that sound familiar?

Take it a step further comes the country, People of Indian Origin (PIO), Ajit Jain may become the next leader of Berkshire, and we (Indians) have been talking about it. Before that we have celebrated every NRI’s achievement from Amartya Sen to Vikram Pandit

.......

Well above was more of an example based on geographical location and the general association we make. There are many others also, from race, religion, language etc.

We (One of my friend and me) define this phenomenon as – “we all are sort of thugs, hence we will always show our strength, be it by numbers of head count, technology, money or by any other means. With that we will also try to get a position that according to that individual is more ‘beneficial.’ And hence, most of ‘us’ (the common people) tend to come together and act as a mob. Not that ‘we’ gain anything out of it; the gainers are the one’s who manipulate and create these mobs (to be more precise, the leaders fuelling the mob psychology).”

Just to give a better instance, Bush’s rhetoric of –“us” and “them” – since 9/11 was an example of building the mob psyche. This worked well enough to get him in the White House the second time. It’s easiest to build on anger and fear. Closer at home we can see, 2002 Gujrat affair (minority bashing; “us & them”), the continuous chaos for years in J&K (again us & them) etc. Though there are times when the manipulators are not able to create any euphoria like the slogan India Shining was a disaster.

And with the coming of election and deteriorating economic conditions, it will not be surprising that the mob psychology will see more light than it should.

The logic of "Cycle"

Well to put in simple terms economic cycles can have two simple comparisons. And its applies to not just economic cycle but to business cycle as well.

The first cycle can be called is the non-market way, or a life’s way. To make it more comparable consider the life cycle of plant, animal or top of the food pyramid humans too. We live a certain number of years and then we die, this is the ultimate statistics. To put it to brutal terms there is no cycle in it; it’s a one way path which ends with death. Ok you need a bigger example then consider communist Russia, or you can look up any monarchs. They all survive for some years or few hundred years max and then get settled in the dust.

Then there is a second type of cycle - the market cycle – which is the natural cycle. Very much like the nature or a complete cycle; the reason mentioning it this way is because it is repetitive in nature, the patterns will be repeated though the time frame may not necessarily be exact. There will be summer, autumn/ monsoon, winter and spring. A country and its economy will have to see it, doesn’t matter if they want to or not.

So the current financial meltdown should not be surprising, since we all are part of this market cycle. The new millennium witnessed financial engineering on an unprecedented level. Complicated financial models were developed to make people reach in short span of time. Then should it be surprising that we have been hit by the draught of credit and flood of pink slips?

This is similar to the excess done by us humans; too much of deforestation or building big dams without considering the biosphere then there will be calamity like massive flood, draught and according to most recent problems that we (humans) have created global warming.

Escaping it is impossible; unless you can figure out a way to escape death, don’t count on getting out of this mess so fast. We all read in school or if not in school then by way of experience we should learn – “You reap what you sow”

Unfortunately public memory is very short. when the time is good rather than taking some of the tough decisions we get greedy; then we tend to forget the lessons learnt a bit too fast.

O freedom, My freedom!

On January 26, 1950, India as a nation was not reborn rather it was christened. The rules (the constitution) to run a nation were put to practice from that day. Till then we were ruled by British Law under the British Monarch but on that day it ceased to be so and India became a Republic. 60 years it has been today since then and the rule of law is facing an asthma attack.

“WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly
resolved to constitute India into a [SOVEREIGN
SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC] and
to secure to all its citizens:
JUSTICE, social, economic and political;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;
and to promote among them all
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual
and the [unity and integrity of the Nation];
IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twentysixth
day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT,
ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS
CONSTITUTION.”

This is the preamble of our constitution. Its importance can be compared to that of 'United States Declaration of Independence.’ The declaration lays the foundation for freedom, the reason. The preamble tells us – How we will live in this country.

According to the supreme court it should be only used to interpret the constitution in an ambiguous situation. Well read it. Read it many times over, over again, and the one thing that we will have to confront is we are not what the preamble envisaged. It has the spirit of why we needed freedom; freedom from the Raj (British Raj). Looking at it today there is still a lot for us to imbibe from it.

The first line says – we the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a socialist, secular, democratic, republic.

That’s a big line, have we resolved to it? We are secular, democratic, republic and socialist to some extent. But more in words, cause actions fail to support this. Yes we are secular; we crucify everyone in the name of religion. Yes we are socialist; we will privatize all companies, profit or loss making alike. Yes we are democratic, every time we have elections we choose a powerful thug; this may not be entirely true since there is a lot of hope with Omar Abdullah. Let time be the judge on him for he is still young. That’s quite an achievement for us.


The next one has many components where we the citizens shall enjoy justice, liberty and equality. Alas! We are a dismal lot here too.

On December 23, 2008, Lok Sabha passed eight bills in 17 minutes! Now these are rare species of human and they should be kept in a museum or should they be sent to the zoo cause how many humans can present, debate and arrive at a consensus on eight bills in 17 minutes? Among this bill includes a radically altered Criminal Procedural Code (CrPC). According to this bill cops cannot arrest a criminal if charges would result in seven years or less of imprisonment on proving guilty

Therefore now one can do anything short of killing which is termed as – attempt to commit culpable homicide - So harm in trying or scaring some one to death. Then, I am sure that thieves will upgrade themselves to robbers, as robbery too comes under the same gambit. Or you can act like Raju or Madoff i.e. cheating; women can be sure to not feel so good because 'outraging a woman’s modesty' is no more a serious issue according to the government (I really want to know what women MPs and the President have to say on this); this should help the son's of those MPs who are involved in cases of rape etc. Oh and a new tool of killing anyone perceived to be threat by politicians will be 'death caused by negligence' a.k.a try killing some one then just prove that it was negligence. After doing all or one of them, the police department famous for being inefficient will only serve a notice.

Now comes the fuuny part - the notice of appearance casts a duty on the accused person to appear before the police and “cooperate” with the investigation. (Freedom at last!) It is only if he fails to comply with the terms of the notice that the question of arresting him will arise. And what will the police do when the criminal runs away? Try chasing him/her, how in humane that is, making a pot belly officer run after a criminal? That is insanity? Where is the Human Rights commission?

Now back to the benifits of the criminal - I guess the easy thing to do would be to commit a crime and if you are served a notice then get ready to run. Just leave the country and go some place, cause if proven guilty you will go to jail. And if you can hire some smart lawyer and give a little money to the prosecution also make sure to do something that would make the witness go hostile. Well if you can do all of these then dont go to bahamas or some other place like Dubai or Pakistan. WE (the government- please dont get confused with the people) will protect you!

Oh and the best part is that if the police arrest accused person then they (police) will have to tell the court ‘why it did so and furnish evidence in support of it.’

On the other hand new laws are being incorporated for terror – latest in the list being strengthening of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, (UAPA), 1967. When will we learn? Previously also we had these anti-terror laws but it has never managed to protect us. The truth is, they have been abused by those in power time and again.

Now see the funny part these laws (TADA, POTA and UAPA) do not identify any new offenses under the law. Because ‘terrorism’ is complex and no country could define terrorism in precise legal terms. One man’s terrorist turns out to be another’s hero. What is done is that, definition is made murky and vague. Now look at this, violence itself is also a given importance under other offenses like murder, arson, loot, rioting, causing injury, etc. under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) or under laws like the Arms Act or the Explosives Act. The very offenses specified under these draconian laws.

However, if a person is charged under the provisions of UAPA instead of the IPC, the police would obtain legitimacy for torturing the accused. Thus, it will be the cop choice to charge under UAPA. The accused would then be denied bail, the only good thing is they wont accept forced confessional statements. So, overnight, they become "terrorists" in the eyes of the law while the other accused remain without any such term tag. Therefore if a politician or a well connected person is charged it wil definitely be IPC and a normal person will be left to the mercy of the Cop.

With such double standards being implemented how can we say that WE WILL PROVIDE JUSTICE TO OUR citizen – social, economic and political?

LET THE SHOW GO ON

Course books have been meddled by past two governments. And now the states and centre are having different things in their books. The precedent has been set; history will not reflect the past but those in the seat of power will decide what the past was.

“Media is the fourth pillar of democracy” – This statement was there in the school text book (don’t know if it is still there or not.) And Jawaharlal Nehru understanding the importance of this fourth pillar sanctioned in Delhi the prime spot building around Income Tax Office (ITO), so that media is near the seat of power and can put a check on those in the driving seat of the country.

There are instances like emergency when the press did what it’s supposed to do or at least tried to do so. So did it manage to get justice in Jessica Lal murder case but what about now? It is quite when the rules are being set to end justice. Why did it behave irresponsibly when there was carnage in Mumbai? Why is it that India doesn’t allow Aljazeera being the biggest democracy? What is there to fear?

We allow hatred in the name of freedom etc. ‑ Gujrat 2002 (target of hate - Muslims), Orissa & Karnataka 2008 (target of hate – Christians), Jammu & Kashmir 2008 (target - minority in the respective area). This is a small list post millennium, detailed and well researched would be longer. The noted ones in pre-millennium have been – Sikh riots (1984), post Babri Masjid riots (1992) and many more; this we have allowed so far. But a channel with the idea of representing the other side will not be allowed?

Where is the citizens ‘LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship’? Why is one allowed to preach hate in any form but the other cannot even practice the liberty? Why the double standard?

Without Justice and Liberty how can one even think of Equality?

For the record how are we equal? When those who rule us can get away after scams and get re-elected? When the CJI says that judges need not declare assets, then where do Justice and Equality Stands?


But this should not mean the end of the world

One thing maybe we have managed to preserve is the idea of ‘Fraternity’; if not in the complete then partial. The belief that we are a great nation persists, when things go awry from riots to Mumbai 26/11 we get to see the believers stand up. There are those who stand for the fraternity like Hemant Karkare and many others whose names have not been highlighted but contribution no less in significance.

On the road the feeling of nationalism is high in every one, in there own ways. If not for the county, then for a holiday, the spirit is at a high. And ‘Yes’ we are secured on that one day because the, our dear politicians are safe with their A, B, C to X, Y, Z security cadre around them.

Let us try to keep the spirit because that will only give us the hope. The hope – Change will happen, and there shall be a better Day. That winter can be long but will end some day. For it is our work to keep the lights on and stand for the fraternity in the hope, “one day democracy will bring justice and liberty.” That will be the day when the constitution will follow the preamble in spirit and word!

Jai Hind!

The eventful year?

An year has ended!! So many things have happened in 2008 and most people would like to forget it, because it wasn’t good according to them or for them. A lot of has been written about it, with such varied opinion that it is all muddled up now.

Most people say 2008 was an extra-ordinary year. But when I checked the TOI’s January 1, 2008, Delhi edition I saw they had mentioned about how some one died due to road rage. And on January 1, 2009 started as usual, TOI, the worlds largest circulating English daily had screamed on its first page how some driver had killed few people. Well that doesn’t sound extra-ordinary to me.

Any ways, I did try and think about the big things of 2008; be it good, bad or the ugly.
Jan, The Sensex was at its high and some people thought we will become the richest nation in the world. And that we were untouchables. Not the untouchables in a demeaning way but in the sense of not attainable, beyond criticism. I wonder what they would say now?

Benazir Bhutto was assassinated; it was tragic for the pakistanis. She died a violent death as her brother and father. The case is just as absurd at times as her brother’s death. There was a report on CNN according to which many people believe that Benazir (she was in power) was involved in his death. It was ironic that both were shot in the neck.

February IPL came into existence, well these people thought they can make money in any time of the year and were more powerful than the ICC. They did make shit load of money and the gentleman’s game became a general mistress. All players were bought and then were treated by some of the owners as private property. Many would know all of this better than me so I would not comment much.

April Bhajji slapped Shreesanth, the lion of Punjab slapped a cub or was it a monkey? Either way every one had a laugh on the episode, especially during the press conference that followed. And many of the people with whom I had a chat said it was coming. Sreesanth was crossing his limits, so it’s not surprising.

August, I think Abhinav Bindra got a gold medal for India. This was the 1st individual gold medal representing one fifth of the world's population. That really seems like an achievement. The way press went berserk on it, the question to be asked was were they making fun or were they being proud? What was the point, should we be happy with our medal tally when competing with our neighbour (china please, Bangaladesh is also our neighbour, don’t get confused)? Ok I will buy the argument that they don’t treat humans as human, they are famous with Human Right Organisation for it but then we are not near to the other big democracy either (USA)! Its good to get medal and represent a country but why the frenzy?

September was a started in comic way; when raj thakery went ballistic on bhaiyas' and they were targeted for a political mileage. All sorts of messages came against him, and everybody took his case. Poor man, uncles old recipe didn’t work in 2008. Then bombs went off in Delhi, a tragedy had struck again. For those who saw it from close range were affected. Some arrests were made, an encounter was done and the whole police theory had many holes. Apart from that nothing much happened, since it were common people and they all have short memory so it was forgotten after few months. And the story seemed something like this – “The politicians lived happily ever after.”

The Indo-US nuclear deal, many people call it historic and consider this as a step that recognizes us (the Indians) as a world power. I don’t know how. Though there is only one Chernobyl incident in this world but I guess we will be adding a few more to the list considering the big plans and the rampant corruption. Or maybe we will avoid it all as most of the plans in India remain on paper. At least some good will happen to us because of it; if we won’t succeed then, at least we won’t die either.

Oct 2 ban on smoking in public places. Gandhiji was a good human being but that doesn’t mean we should punish the smokers from that day itself. Many of my friends complain every year that 2nd oct is a trouble they can’t celebrate Gandhi’s birthday properly with drinks on the table and now smoking also! This month saw the blood bath on stock markets all over. Peace be on all those struck by it.

Nov - Will Obama turnout to be the greatest president in American history? Most believe so or would like to believe so. It is said they elected a president form a suppressed segment and proved they were great; what, after 200 years or something. Look at us a little over 60 years; we have a sikh prime minister, beat that. We know what had happened with Sikhs when Indra Gandhi was killed in late 1970s.

Now in how many counties will the temple be used to exchange gun bullets (akshardham), have mosques destructed (babri masjid), kill the church’s Father and burn the church (orissa) etc. But then rise above everything in politics and get a Muslim president, Sikh prime- minister and the most powerful personality in politics would be a Christian lady. (This was the situation when UPA came to power and Mr Singh became the PM)

Nov 26 – “Mumbai at war” this was what the headlines were communicating on 27th and till the time all the thugs (terrorist) were killed. I call them thugs because usually terrorists have political ambition, but looking at these kids, the understanding is they were brainwashed. Our politicians did their item number in front of the TV. The truly sad part was that even the bosses of the commandos were happy to do item numbers in front of the media (circus). This was unexpected. It was like no one with authority knew what to do. The most simple things like cording off area was not done till late. Electricity wasn’t cut; mobiles and satellite phones were not jammed or tracked!! The whole system was working as a 3rd grade rusted machine bought from a road side shop with no guarantee for function. Not that i am not crediting them for putting the 60 hour siege to an end. But every min lost in these circumstances costs a civilian death, this is not what I say but its standard understanding. Its good that they brought the situation under control in 60 hours but considering the type of claims that is made every now and then, this should have been wrapped up in under 36 hours.

December was eventful in many ways. Ganguly saw retirement after being the most successful test captain or that is what people claim; Australia lost a home series after 16 years – the media covered it as if they committed the seven sins mentioned in the bible in one go.

Bush found the WMD in his press conference; it was “size 10”. Looking at that video I will admit he is quick in reaction, guess he has mastered something in his 8 year tenure of ruling the world (how to dodge –from questions to shoes)

Stocks buffoons were happy especially the real estate ones considering they were the biggest gainers of 2008 and on the whole humans were quite optimistic in the trading community. Although the soothsayers who believe in doomsday are saying to hold you breath and practice yoga for anti-depression cause you might need it.

Let’s see if 2009 will bring in the good news as many are expecting.....

A Conversation on Previous blog

Anadi: I liked it ya... Similar questions were raised by me ..

Hehe ...

So I agree... :)

Me: that's it!! No controversy, nothing for me...
Anadi: see...I totally agreed...only thing is...this New Year will bring things in a different sense
- New president for US - elections in India -and hell lotta new things
Me: hmmmm
Anadi: so I guess we can call it a 'new year', if u know what I mean...it's a different year...
Me: Okie....
Anadi: perspectives will change definitely...Delhi is geared up for commonwealth, and will further be repaired.
Me: but TOI's page 1 on 1/1/2007 and 1/1/2008 remained the same... so yeah it did change and it didn't...
Anadi: ha-ha...TOI is a bad example to quote...we all know that :)
Me: but the sales fig support it...and they make money... so majority will be on their side....Maybe not me or you... but the crowd...J (there should be some option for devils smile..)
Anadi: hehe..yea .. but u c.. the readership for TOI is only English readers which is less as compared to Hindi newspapers and the best thing is the ppl who read TOI have always celebrated new yr with pomp and show..
me: ah that's also there,,, vernacular press is no less.. and seeing the rich even the poor start imitating and thus the style and pomp goes down the chain of society,.... so it will take a generation or maybe few generations people at the bottom of the pyramid will also celebrate it...
Anadi: that is there too... and you know people have actually started doing it... yest a girl came and gave me some sweets to celebrate new yr.. and I really wonder what difference it makes in her life
Me: that's my point...
Anadi: but it is the market which promotes it...don't u think, the companies which manufacture cards, gifts, cakes and sweets.
Me: it does... the one thing capitalism demands is consumption...
Anadi: they need this market to remain in order to make profits. Ah...this is one problem which doesn't boil down to population...it boils down to money
me: hahaha... see its always about the money... some one dies, some is happy, some one is sick in all the case some one will make money.... in times of happiness people don't count so how do you create happiness... by bringing in the days, small, big celebrations etc...
Anadi: true