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Hither,Thither, Everywhere.


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.

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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.

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Economy subscriptions thoughts

Oil Palm Cess Plus Tax on Income.


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.

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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!!

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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.

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Damn Noise


I heard a cackle,

It was from the pond,

I heard a twitter,

It was from the tree,

I heard a buzz,

It was from the flower,

I heard a chatter,

It was from the forest.

I heard a murmur ,

It was from the river,

I heard a  bellow,

It was from the ocean,

I heard a clutter,

It was from the falls,

I heard a trumpet,

It was from the elephant,

I heard a  tweet,

It was from the bulbul

I heard a  roar,

It was from the lion,

I heard a grunt,

It was from the deer,

I heard a chant,

It was from the temple,

I heard a music,

It was from the congregation,

I heard a babble,

It was from the town,

I heard a damn noise,

It was from the city.

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Swine Flu


The virus is creating a panic all over the world, especially in India and South Asian countries. It is believed to be the outcome of some predominant virus that is prevalent in pigs,and that becomes most pronounced at certain stages. People ,who consume pork are more susceptible to this attack ,than who refrain from eating Pig’s flesh. This is the general impression. But in India, pork is discriminated from the diet mostly and how come there is a spread of this panic virus.

The virus seems to be a mystery. How it attacks?What are its symptoms?How to keep away from this attack?No one is able to give a concrete answer. I feel , that ordinary flu is also mistaken for this strain. Certain times influenza  may ransack the patient , make him  bed ridden and take every bit of power from him. He may have cough, fever, body pain , heaviness in the head, and intestinal turbulence. This will  turn him a sick patient for a week or ten days. He has to be cautiously monitored and put in special doiet rich in supplements to re equip his worn out body.

As such, this epidemic of swine flu has endangered the nations. There is an unwarranted sense of alarm, a ticklish apprehension, and a deceiving symptom ,that a simple cough is misconstrued for swine flu, aan ordinary headache appers to be a symptom of this epidemic. Body pain , may be a result of overwork, but sets the punitive chant , “Oh, I have contrived swine flu”.This mental alogirithm plays a smashing role in spreading this virus.The moan and the mourn , the tremor and the trigger, the upset and the upsurge will be sufficient to be nailed into the coffin . Wriggling in the coffin, we cry hoarsely, “I am a victim of Swine Flu -2009.

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Economy subscriptions thoughts

Around The World In Eighty Days


Obama has completed two hundred days in office. A spectacular achievement ,which needs to be applauded. Achievement , in the sense, he has been successful in bringing out a renaissance in the economy, a new look in the health care, a centralised attention on education ,and a pinpointed focus on unemployment. He may have slipped on one or two occasions, but the overall performance is brilliant. His external affairs got an impetus , by his swift move around the world.He has visited so far, 14 countries. wherever he landed, his gift of the gab won the hearts of the people. His diligent approach brought him a roaring applause  from the diplomats ensemble.

The murmur ,the tax payer’s money is utilised for such worldwide sojourns, is heard very feebly. But ,to run  the administration of the United States Of America,a generous outfit has to be set aside . His oration in Saudi, followed by his speech in Egypt  ,were an effective  tool to win the rapport of the Muslims.The virtual animosity and hostility nurtured in the minds of the Muslim youth against the U.S, got dissipated by the friendly warm talk of Obama.  

Back home, his fiery inclination to provide jobs was well received by the senate. There arose a question as how he is going to fund for the new employment when the economy is facing a down turn?He , with his staunch aides developed a programme  in the areas of laying roads, building hospitals, and schools. Infrastructure needs to be developed , to make the nation volatile and move in the right format. Health  ,was another factor that called his attention. He has done a wonderful job, by providing utmost care and world class facilities to patients both in and out.

 

The economy is making a  steady right about turn.AIG has made a neat profit in this quarter after the 2007 slump.A great mark that needs to be taken note off. 71 banks ,have been closed down by the regulators. It is a pretty dull dissuading  trend in the reviving scenario.But the shoe, when it starts pinching your toes , should be discarded.Never try to cut your toes to fit your shoes. Similarly the banks appear to be provoking thorns in the bush .They have to be eliminated , to transform the economy into a robust ,healthy one.

Obama needs all praise for his daring endeavour. His indulgence is comparitively riskier than the launching of a satellite. He has succeded so far. It is the initila days that pose a threat, but once you get acquainted with the nuances of the administration , and understand the machinery of governance, you can surely win accolades.

All the best Obama!

 

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subscriptions thoughts turmoil

Singapore-Clean eh!!!


The encircling air around Singapore is highly polluted. The atmosphere resurrects a complexity in breathing.The environment is like most of the other  countries,posing a mild threat to nature. The ad prop litter free is a a malapropism. The streets are strewn with thin garbage bags, cigar butts,and disposable paper cups and plates. The penalty for being unmindful to cleanliness is 150 Singapore dollars. In spite of this heavy dose , I saw many incidents which impress ill on her surroundings.

First, I reconciled myself saying that I am in the midst of Jalan besar,in the criss cross junction of Serangon Road, and Orwell road,where coffee shops, eateries,and provision stores abound. But , later chided myself ,telling me that the most populated areas, should be the most well kept ones. A slight negligence  has set in, I feel. The sanitary and health authorities need to take special attention to keep the area safe for tourists.The quality of food served in these restaurants are far below the standard. The Plates and cups are cleaned ,but not to the appropriate levels.There is a fallback in the monitoring of the day to day to management by the civic body. I was frozen , when I saw large cubes of ice being unloaded from a lorry, and to make matters worse , the huge blocks of ice were hammered with iron rods.The ice finds its way into the restaurants as to chill the fresh juices and milkshakes.I resolved not to take any chilled juices till I leave Singapore.

The aftermath ,of a week in Singapore ,was a thoroug  run own.I was down with high fever,result of   severe abdominal upset.The sensitive intestine suffered very badly. I had nausea, vomiting ,and delirium set in. My physician was confused ,as to what have I contracted from Singapore.My breathing slowly turned to be heavy. I was subjected to incessant cough.I was whooping for a normal breath. My fever raged unabated. I could not swallow a spoon of water. I compelled myself to an ounce of hot milk.Out came the flow of liquid, with such force, that I stood terrified. What is going to happen to me?I chose a place , for a week halt -Singapore, a safe haven for travellers. But the experience I got ,is nightmarish. If it had been any other country, I would have taken safety measures, to keep me away from such relevant flaws. Just ,it happened to be Singapore, I took it easy,and I am paying for my light heartedness now.

I am still in the veil of exhaustion. My mind is absolutely empty ,as I find myself hard to cope up with my physical  depletion..A week in Singapore has cost me heavy, both financially and physically. The financial part can be earned. The disarray ,I experienced all this fortnight will leave me a wreck for months to come. Am I entitled to any compensation from the Singapore Government?If so ,inform me, I would gladly accept it

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Economy subscriptions thoughts

India -First to be Out Of Recession


An evidence that is circulated all over the world is that India is out of recession. China ,is also creeping out of the shadow. It is a true statement. Yes , India is marching ahead to progress, leaving behind other affluent nations. One must remember, that Indians are made of different material , This particular stuff holds the Indian equanimity in tough fists.India had been repeatedly attacked by the foreign invasions. Be it Mughuls, Portuguese, Dutch ,and finally colonised by the British, the Indian mentality remained undeterred . The invincible spirit makes the Indian go ahead, in spite of the destruction he meets. The Mughuls looted the riches of the land. The Portuguese and Dutch ,in a milder form amassed wealth by capturing land and indulging in trade. The British entered as shopkeepers,uncannily became the masters of the land, depleting the beautiful country of its resources, of its plentitude,and its exorbitant wealth. They introduced an educational system, which is still in vogue, making the citizens into clerks rather than rulers. The obeisance instilled by the English has humiliated the Indian ego. After 60 years of independence , the servitude still holds the population in grip.

All these broaches , disruptions and discomforts did not leave the average Indian disillusioned and crestfallen. He rose from the cinders , worked up against all oddities, involved in trade ,started industries, educated himself, holding a concentrated tenor in his language proficiency. He mastered the English language. There are few English writers who have surmounted the Indianwriters in writing skills. Most of the educated Indians excel in the usage of the language, much better than the Natives.It is this articulate tact of the Indian that is placing him high over all 

The Indians were put on board by the British to Burma, Ceylon, Singapore, Malaysia, Indochina, and South Africa, to work on plantations, as these countries had a shortage of labour. The Indian labour toiled hard , braving natural calamities, putting up with unfavourable conditions, unmindful of hours of work,for the progress of the nations into which they were deposited as mere human animals. Once the Britishers left, these workforce had to endure disdain and scorn from the new rulers. Yet they sustain with the stoic spirit that is holding them together

It is this stoicism that has released India quickly from the worldwide recession. Other nations ,used to comfort and cheer, find it a task to outgrow this proposition. To the affluent the recession seems to be in gigantic proportion. Recession has hit them like a lightening.They are blindfolded. It has struck them like a thunder. They have been deafened by its sound. It has churned them as a Tsunami. They have been ripped apart.To realise the positive goal ,they are  struggling. But to the Indian, it is another episode. He has taken it i the stride . He is moving ahead.

Indian, I salute You.