Month: August 2009

Monsoon Blues Slows India’s Pace.

Post author By meenas17
Post date August 20, 2009
1 Comment on Monsoon Blues Slows India’s Pace.

Six nations are out of recession. India and China escaped unscathed,while Japan and Germany have made up at last. Brazil has jumped out of the pull down all in a hurry. France has made a smart turn around.

The Indian scenario of progress was quite impressive , healthy and time bound.The election mandate has given a stable government. The GDP growth was reasonable.The monsoon was expected to set in mid June, it took its own time to settle. Settled did it, with weak strains, and little rain. The States which depended on the onset , were greatly disappointed. Agriculture had a pristine glow during this period, but the peasants are depressed of the failure. Less or no rain indicates a full stop to implemetation of ploughing, sowing, and harvesting. The poor farmer, a good rain, has borrowed money to carry on the prelimiary operations. But woe befell, and we hear 72 suicidal deaths in Andhra pradesh alone. The situation looks grim. The Prime Minister is worried.He has to see to plight of the farmers and the drought hit areas. States affected by deficit are demanding higher aids to cope up with the situation.

Nature has slowly detached itself from Indian growth ,which is upbeat. The Indian stoicism ,will not allow any digression to affect its progress. The indomitable, invincible spirit Of the Indian will take him to great , as its Prime Minister announced ,that a growth rate of 9% is setas a target, and by any means it will be achieved. India will exactly cross over the mark ,as it is a store house of potentiality.It is the think tank of the world. The quick witted Indian, the shrewd Indian, the hard working Indian, and above all the coveted concept that of extraordinary brilliance the Indian is sure to make his mother land strong in economy,

Tags NaBloPoMO

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Literary Criticism

As a literature student, I had a subject literary criticism in my PG level. I am so fond of reading everything that comes in my way. Reading is a passion , or rather it is my inheritance from my late father. My dad , used to read a lot in his spare time. Every morning, after a brisk walk , he used to read the newspapers thoroughly, especially the editorials. At one stage, he will make me read the editorials , after my college hours, just to imbibe the habit of reading.in me. He used to wake me up early in the morning , to accompany him for a stroll. But , I a bag of lazy bones, no I should not call myself bony, as I have reasonable flesh , another proud asset that I derived from my father, never attempted to get up from bed. He failed in making me get up in the early hours,which continues even today, as I am a late bird., but knowingly or unknowingly moulded me into an avid reader.

Coming to the subject of criticism, I, for one totally oppose this analysis. I wish to read a poem, say for instance ,”An ode to the nightingale” ‘just for the sake of it. Shelley excels a s a poet. His style and presentation are so impressive, that I could see the nightingale virtually, hear her call absolutely. The graphic insight ant the clear grace it exhibits , makes me enraptured. I go on reading this poem, and i never felt the monotony. Each reading , gave me added pleasure.I propose to stop my research here. Many attribute various significance to this beautiful poem. They delve deeply into Shelley’s personal life, rave about his failures and mark a definite line on the purpose of writing this poem. I , a writer of small time, no way comparable to Shelley, feel that every creative work, either it be writing, painting, or any other craftsmanship for that matter, does reflect a personal imagery. But ,for that reason , it need not be dissected, probed, and prattled to find meanings , interpretations, and logic that the creative mind would not have thought of, would not have dreamt of. If Shelley comes out of the grave and goes through the criticism that surrounds his Ode, he would be thrown out of sphere. He will not be able to make head or tail of what the critics have penned. On this light, his own composition would look an alien subject to him. Poor Shelley, allow him to rest in peace.

The literary minds should be contented that they have been exposed to remarkable piece of literature.Therein lies the practicality in accepting the prowess of art for art-sake.The disenchanting dissensions should disappear like morning dew.

Tags Literature.Musings, NaBloPoMO

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Eschew Carry Bags.

The environment is exposed to unhealthy , unmindful,unwarranted trends, situations, and practices. The impertinence of the inhabitants is breaking the rugged exterior of mother earth. The easy way of life, the lighter approach to instant damages, the unfriendly response to the green emission call are taking us to the pitfall.

Earth quakes, which occurred once in a decade , is becoming a day to day routine. Tsunami which was unheard has attained a stature , that even a child can talk volumes on the subject. Drought in one part of the world, flooding in other end , makes life a risky endeavour. Why such wreckage’s happen ? Giving a little thought to it ,will point the accusing finger on none other than all of us.

Well, I regularly visit the supermarkets in my area. I do not buy everyday, but just go round them , to compile the behaviour of the buyer. The supermarkets have a stack of the carry bags. The cashier , after preparing the bill, packs the things in a carry bags in different sizes. The customer takes it with glee. The next day after emptying the provisions in the respective receptacles, the Carry bags are thrown out. They lie in the open. These bags do not get eaten up by the earth, like paper bags. They lie for long, until the civic authorities come and clean up. The garbage thus collected is dumped in the rivers are in the ocean whichever is nearby adding fuel to the fire.

Once I had a mind to advise the supermarket chiefs , not to provide the plastic carry bags, instead give the customer paper bags, or importantly force the buyer to bring his own bags, thus saving the environment. I restrained from committing myself. just for the sake of putting ina blog which will have a wide circulation, and which will reach people of standard intelligence. The super market supervisors will refuse to see reason, and will find fault that because of the denial to extend carry bags, the sales dwindled.

When are we going to learn:?

We have to ensure that the generations coming after us should have a safe , secure , healthy environment to survive.

Tags Environment, NaBloPoMO

thoughts

An Unholy Combination

Combination is a relative word. It is variably used in science, particularly in chemistry , which elaborates on the combinations of substances in different proportions. The physical combination and chemical combination, are the premier lesson in chemistry. Physical combination can be retrieved back but the chemical counterpart once combined, is combined forever. There is no room for recovery. The metals used in the process take a shape that is not akin to the original. The properties also undergo a voluminous alterations.

Now, to the unholy combination scenario, which does deal with sustainable presence that of the human being ,who is full of energy ,life and wisdom.This conceptual theme got imprinted in my mind ,when I heard real time happenings . Can this take place? Could this happen?Why ,on earth people behave so impishly?What made them act irresponsibly?The curious mind has set the tempo.

Analysing the vagaries of the human mind, the perception centres round the immature behaviour, wreck-less attitude, ruthless arrogance and ill gotten wealth. The first episode that made me sleepless for nights was the breaking down of the engagement of two young adults. The boy, of average intelligence,simple looks,but with enormous wealth, got betrothed to a beautiful girl with high mental calibre,and also wealthy. The engagement snapped a few weeks before the wedding. Imagine the turmoil the parents on both sides faced. The interaction between the boy and the girl, did not go smoothly, perhaps there was a hitch in their compatibilty. It was the boy ,who refused, very much unusual.My question, is Why did this happen a few weeks before the wedding?The boy must have felt insecure, must have experienced belittlement,and was unable to cope up with the girl’s thought. If , both of them had been careful in their selection this unpleasantness could have been avoided. I feel, it is money that brought about the union and it is efficiency that ruined the ties.The unholy combination did not have a take off at all.

The next in list is the connivance of siblings against one other brother or sister is taking a gigantic stature in recent manifestations..The greed for wealth unites the like minded ones to cheat the sane , levelheaded person, who refuses to take part in the programme of hide and seek. The “solitary reaper”is faced with stiff opposition, suffers humiliation,as the rule of majority works through. But the final deliverance is that truth always emerges triumphant.

The third ,is the general misconduct of the public servants, whether it be an humble constable, an ordinary civil officer, a simple bank official, an authoritative member of the parliament, or the power drunk minister.These make law of their own, break the practised legality, behave rudely, speak harshly,and pronounce unholy predilections much to the chagrin of the people.

The unholy combinations render illegitimate conclusions.They render the world a narrower space polluted by unhealthy, unrealistic and unintelligible madness.

Tags Lifestyle, Musings, NaBloPoMO

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Hither,Thither, Everywhere.

Post author By meenas17
Post date August 16, 2009
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It is a small world.To traverse the world we need a few days. From the southern Hemisphere to the northern extreme , you can fly in not less than a day. There are numerous flights connecting various destinations, in different continents,with offers, promotional, holiday, packages so on and so forth, that the travel lover is enticed to so many options, that he takes a week , perhaps a month to decide. See the paradox, to travel you need a day, but to decide you need a month. It so happens, that to choose ideal locations, at appropriate times, we need duration plenty.

My case is different. I have two countries in particular to spend my year. I prefer to stay in a country for three months, then take the next one. But it never occurs. I embark in the specific country, unpack my things, set the house in order, indulge in purchases for the day to day existence, I mean the grocery, fruits and vegetables,,call my milk vendor and when I settle comfortably it is already a week has gone. The next week passes with no fan fare, just committing myself to the daily chores.As the third week approaches, I get calls from the other country , that my presence is needed on such and such dates. I had been careful in planning my schedules , by arranging each and every detail with sincere attention. I try to dilly dally for a week, but the pressure mounts up. I have to pack my bags once again, keep the house in order, this time in a different way, by emptying everything from the refrigerator filling it with groceries that will not get rot , once kept in the fridge. Putting all my valuables in a safe place, I pick up my bag to the flight.

Another surging is ahead of me. To get hold of my domestic staff ,and once again unpacking, replenishing my store with grocery, cleaning , and answering to people starts with a full velocity. In this part of the world, I have certain other unwanted alibi, that has to be followed ,if I have to retain my identity in society, that of social calls. I do that with disciplined fervour.

It seems amusing certain times, But specifically has a telling effect on your nerves, on your recourse and on your stability. Yes ,it is hither, thither, everywhere, but in reality nowhere.

Tags Comedy., Lifestyle, NaBloPoMO

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Pigs Gain In Stature.

Pigs were referred to as an icon of scorn and contempt. We condemn a person , addressing him as “bloody swine”. We dub a dull person as “pig headed. Children , in their quarrel ,very often squeak at the opponent as “you pig”. Now , the pig or swine, whatever ,you ascribe is charging the human world with a revenge. the word swine ,is enough to ransack the entire world. Swine , an epithet to the new virus, swine flu, terrifies all. The world at large is in the grip of what may happen as this epidemic has been unleashed in most South Asian countries.

Deaths are reported in India, in Malaysia. There is a caution alarm from a researcher in U.S that , if the virus attacks for the second time , the consequences would be serious and dangerous. Now , everyone ,in this part of the world. feel a slight irritation in the throat , they rush to the hospital, to undergo a test. The doctors are not fully prepared to receive such heavy rush . The hospitals are also not equipped with testing facilities. By taking a swab,analysing it will take a minimum of 12 hours to give the result. But the apprehension is so high ,that there is a lot of hush and push to get things done. In certain cities , the medical practitioners , to make quick money , have come out with a vaccination, that will keep away the viral attack. The government authorities are making announcements in radio and television, that there is no vaccination as such for this virus..The horror struck people are getting nervous ,becoming panicky about the health of the dear ones. A slight cough ,makes them shiver. A sore throat propels them to quiver. Mild fever demoralises them. Body pain makes butterflies fly in the stomach. The indigestion renders them half dead

Hello Pigs !. are you satisfied now . The human beings have been pushed into the corner by the Pigs.From time immemorial, the Pigs have been treated with an indifference. No animal has been looked so low.Now Pigs, leave the human beings free, as you have not only demoralised them but also mortified them. Many have lost their lives. Swine, My lord, (we have to modify our mode of address)give us our daily life,devoid of fear and insecurity.

Tags Musings, NaBloPoMO, Tragi-comedy, Virus

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Oil Palm Cess Plus Tax on Income.

Post author By meenas17
Post date August 14, 2009
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The Malaysian Palm Oil Board levied a cess on oil palm plantations, irrespective of their size, small , medium, or big. The estate owners had to subscribe to the terms of the government. The administration levied RM 2 on every increase of 100 Rm fro CPO.In 2007 and 2008, the prices stretched high. The cess was duly paid. Subsequently the price of fertiliser rose three fold. As a natural sequence , labour also expected a hike. So everything ended up high.The plantation holder, had to pay cess, had to pay higher for manure. and his work force had to be satisfied. Finally , he had to pay tax on his income. Thus he is doubly taxed by the government. No rebate was announced by MPOB.

In 2009, the prices sank low. They ranged between 270RM _290Rm. The cess was not enforced. But the other expenses did not come down with the down trend in price. Fertiliser remained as high as possible. No labourer would accept to decrease his wages ,as the price has fallen. The plantation holder has to face the brunt. The government keeps tight lipped.

This month ,that is in August the prices are looking up. But there is insufficient rains. The seven months had the estate owners in tight grip. It was more or less a hand to mouth existence. They had to tend their palms. give them proper nourishment and harvest the fruits in spite of increased expenses. Any negligence will have a telling effect, as the fruits will dwindle when not taken proper care.

The Malaysian government must take an initiative by giving certain tax concession to the owners while computing their income. It should also give an incentive to the estate owners when the price drop. Oil Palm is the vital source of revenue to the government.Any impetus and encouragement by way of tax rebate to the owners for the years 2007 and 2008 will be welcomed and bring cheer amongst them. Anticipating a discount in tax , as the estate owners experienced double taxation during the period.

Tags Industry news., Tax rebate

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Textile Industry In India-Dead.

Post author By meenas17
Post date August 13, 2009
1 Comment on Textile Industry In India-Dead.

Do any of you anticipate the industry to revive?

Do any of you expect the industry to come out of the embers?

Do any of you wish to see the industry flourish, as it had done a few decades back?

If so, then you are not living in 2009. You are not an Indian. You are not a person acquainted with the textile industry intricacies. You have not interacted with the bankers. You are not aware of the government policy. You know not how difficult it is to get labour. You are insensible to power cuts. You do not know about the power tariff. You are ignorant of the broker’s raj. You are innocent of the quality of raw materials. You little realise the breakdowns. You totally feel that it is easy to run the industry, even after going through all these difficulties.

My advise to you, is you can rear an elephant than run this industry. The elephant’s appetite gets satiated ,once it is fed well, but textiles have a devououring hunger, thet whatever you invest gets decimated in days. Agsain , you have to muster funds, again it disappears. Where will you land, if you go on putting money into a tavern .?

The banker will be behind you.He will file a case in Debt Recovery Tribunal, where your case will be decreed. You have to run to DRAT. Then to the high court, file a writ petition. Is it necessary?

The raw material supplier will catch you unaware, and take you to his lland , for cheque return case. You will be put behind the bars. Is it necessary?

The Provident Fund will take you to task. They would squeeze you for interest at the rate of 36%. If you fail, they will attach your property.Is it necessary?

Friend do not ever go near Textile industry, you will be ripped of your shirt. incidentally, your shirt is a product of this industry.The industry in India is dead. You have to live and to exist in peace and contentment.

Cheers!!

Tags Industry news., NaBloPoMO

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Superstition And I

I call myself a radical thinker. I jeer at people who attach importance to time, date and period. I take lightly the beliefs of our ancestors. The one , which completely made me break into laughter was the trusted belief in the evil sway of certain person’s eyes.My relative ,used to swear on me that the evil effects got transmitted whenever an unwanted , a jealous , individual looks at you. I just brushed aside the whole narration, as a light hearted devolution. I did conceal my suspicion , lest my relative should not feel let down.

This being so, I led a life of my own, not penetrated by superstition, not disturbed by astrology, distanced from numerology and adamantly resistive to superstition. On and off, the good hearted relative of mine gave me advice ,as to keep away from the vicinity of a person who is related to me by my martial ties. I said , “go ahead with your job,do not bother about me.I know how to keep myself intact.” My attitude did not deter him from warning me .and cautioning me when I happened to come across the evil eyes of that specific person.

A fortnight back, I was in robust health. I had to attend a function of the priest in our temple. I made myself available all the two days . The function went on with ease. I took part in all the important rituals along with my husband. The evil eyes followed me , wherever I went. I did not mind it. The next day, I could not get up from my bed, I was down with high fever. I was in a sort of delirium. My eyes were watery, my hands and body were shivering. I was totally sick. The next day, it worsened, and the discomfort and fever continued to rage high. My Physician made two visits daily . He was perturbed about my depleted comfiture.I was tied to the bed. Incessant cough was rocking me. Nausea was crippling me. There was an irresistible turmoil in the intestine. My husband was shocked , as he had seen me in such horrible state all through our long married life of 36 years.

Hearing my condition, the good relative of mine ,rushed to me. He stroke my head with care, and whispered. “How many times , I have pleaded to you to keep out of those evil eyes?You never took it seriously. Now see the suffering you undergo”.

My mind is at cross roads. I recline with exhaustion. Have I to believe my good samartian’s thoughts.?I feel dizzy. I am drowsy. Well, slowly , I am accepting my good hearted friend’s words. There is some truth in what he says, I conclude.