LOOK!! SOME ONE BEHIND YOU HAS RESERVED THAT PLACE
It has been a while since my last post and I am still wondering on what to blog about.
Although there have been myriad articles on the reservation controversy, here is my take on it.
Reservations were first introduced eons ago (50 years to be precise) to account for the social and economic inequality that prevailed then. Also then, social status was directly linked to economic position. According to the census taken then, nearly 22.5% were classified as SC/STs and 30% as OBCs. As the first step, the SC/STs were promoted using reservations. The basic purpose behind introducing such partisan, populist and seemingly unfair measures was to make up for the centuries of oppression inflicted upon the lower strata of society (SC/STs). So as to seek mercy and also to provide an even playing field, such policies were introduced in educational institutions and also in government sector employment opportunities.
In 1994, Mandal commission was constituted to see into the reservations and see whether there was any further requirement. The commission came out with a report suggesting reservations even for the backward classes. This did not go down well with the people and hence was not implemented. Anyway a few states were delighted by the idea as it would increase their political mileage and implemented it. The states included Tamil Nadu (no wonder). Now I would like to throw light on some of the parameters that are used to determine whether the caste you belong to is backward or isn’t. If more than 50% of women in your community are employed then you are doomed to be backward. Also if most of your community has to walk more than 0.5 km for clean water or most girls get married before 17, your community is called backward. Though all these criteria are obsolete when applied to city dwellers, these metro people are the ones who are going to make use of these reservations. And hence those walking half a km for water and getting married before 17 are going to continue doing it and are least bothered about all these developments.
Actually I would like to put the blame on our parents for keeping the caste system alive. Although educated they all have married within their castes thus allowing casteism to thrive. What if everyone had married otherwise, then we will be facing another sort of crisis where in a method cannot be found to classify us and hence we wouldn’t be subject to reservation. This was what I was thinking, but then my dear friend told me that once such an intercaste marriage takes place, then the child can have any one of the parents caste (something for you to ruminate on).
But I think we need not worry about our futures because it is in the safe hands of people like Arjun Singh, our HRD ministry (Was the portfolio given by lots). Also our APJ’s view is that the number of seats in premier institutions should become large enough to render reservations meaningless (very plausible). And our beloved PM does not want to comment on this issue other than asking the medicos to give up. Anyway I cannot understand why the medicos are striking. Most have gained admission into the premier medical institute and are settled with their lives. I thought they were doing it to gain some media coverage and also bunk a few inescapable classes. Again my knowledgeable friend pointed out that PG programmes in medicine which have a very miniscule intake have reservations.
What irks me more is the pro protestors. What are they protesting for?? It is like accepting that they have been discriminated by the society this long, which no urban dweller can claim for sure. And Chennai has seen more protests supporting reservations rather than against it (something to be proud about).
So what can be the likely solution for this problem?? While helping the people in the lower strata come up, the general quota students should also not be hindered. One possibility is to take a census again to ascertain the population of each community and then go along with the proposed reservations. Also children of people who have already benefited from reservations (through education or employment) can be exempted and brought under general category. Also to premier institutes, some practical cutoffs must be kept for reserved communities. Like say the SC/STs not scoring atleast 80% of the lowest general category student can be doomed inadmissible. This will also benefit them later as they won’t find it much difficult to cope with the course pressures. I say this because my intellectual friend told me yesterday that one of his classmates is joining IIM-B this year with an absolute score of 22 in CAT. Now that is infuriating.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Friday, May 19, 2006
Volatility
A euphemism for people losing hard earned money in the stock market. As I am writing this article the BSE and NSE are tumbling down from dizzying heights. It is the time investors feel that they should have booked their profits earlier and come out of the stock market. Others like me tell themselves that it is all like a wave and we are just experiencing a trough. So what made me write this article?? Probably the thousands I lost.
The fall has been attributed to a number of reasons. One of them being the fear about rising inflation rates in the US. Indian inflation rate has hovered around 5% for some time. The US rate which was much lesser before is also feared to approach the Indian rate panicking investors all around the world.
The fall has also been attributed to slow global economic progress. Although countries like India and China have impressive GDPs of about 8% and 10% respectively, the global GDP has been an abysmal 4.5%. Also the developing countries stock markets have shown a general decline in the past week with the Indian market falling steeply.
As happens with any global phenomenon, it is natural to place the blame on global oil prices. The economics behind world oil prices is interesting. The OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) controls about 67% of the world oil reserves and hence dictates world oil prices. Whenever it wants to raise prices, it just reduces production. Also the producers never try to reduce the prices as it directly encourages consumption which in turn leads to global warming. Now Venezuela is coming forward as a major source of oil due to high oil prices. The quality of oil in Venezuela is low grade and costs a lot to be made usable. But the high prices now make it possible allowing Venezuela to produce oil. Also one interesting fact is that in India from the time I have started driving two wheelers a litre of petrol cost 20Rs then in 1990’s and now it is around Rs50 in 2006. But amazingly the US gas price has been ranging from $1.91 to $2.68 per gallon(3.8 litres) for the past fifty years. The lowest oil price is in Venezuela costing about 0.12$ per gallon. The US with its gas guzzling SUV’s is the largest consumer of world oil but has done little to reduce dependence on oil. Instead it has only tried to secure its supply by constructing Strategic Petroleum Reserves which are nothing but underground salt caverns which can hold large amount of oil. Their reserves can help them hold out for sixty days in case of any crisis.
SPR at Bryan Mound, Texas
The initial stock market fall can also be attributed to the left grasping power in West Bengal and Kerala, thus causing the foreign investors to worry and pull out ( fall of 500 points in a day in sensex) which further created a domino effect including the mutual funds to pull out(A fall of eight hundred points in the sensex). Last comes the retail investor who pulled out in order to reduce his losses. But still I stay invested. Why???? I think it must be because I often show high risk behavior in the market and I believe that any one’s risk appetite is inversely proportional to their age.
For anyone wishing to become part of Dalal street, I think that this is the best time to enter. As even all blue chips are priced at a discount, it is a good time for investors to enter the market. But alas I have no more cash to pump in. (My bank balance now is about 1000 against a minimum balance of 5000).
The Indian growth story will continue and I firmly believe that inspite of these corrections, the sensex will surge ahead and outperform expectations. So my kind advice would be to stay invested and to increase your portfolios.
For those interested to enter the market now,my recommends would be
1. Infosys technologies
2. Reliance capital
3. ITC
4. Pantaloon retail
5. ONGC
A euphemism for people losing hard earned money in the stock market. As I am writing this article the BSE and NSE are tumbling down from dizzying heights. It is the time investors feel that they should have booked their profits earlier and come out of the stock market. Others like me tell themselves that it is all like a wave and we are just experiencing a trough. So what made me write this article?? Probably the thousands I lost.
The fall has been attributed to a number of reasons. One of them being the fear about rising inflation rates in the US. Indian inflation rate has hovered around 5% for some time. The US rate which was much lesser before is also feared to approach the Indian rate panicking investors all around the world.
The fall has also been attributed to slow global economic progress. Although countries like India and China have impressive GDPs of about 8% and 10% respectively, the global GDP has been an abysmal 4.5%. Also the developing countries stock markets have shown a general decline in the past week with the Indian market falling steeply.
As happens with any global phenomenon, it is natural to place the blame on global oil prices. The economics behind world oil prices is interesting. The OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) controls about 67% of the world oil reserves and hence dictates world oil prices. Whenever it wants to raise prices, it just reduces production. Also the producers never try to reduce the prices as it directly encourages consumption which in turn leads to global warming. Now Venezuela is coming forward as a major source of oil due to high oil prices. The quality of oil in Venezuela is low grade and costs a lot to be made usable. But the high prices now make it possible allowing Venezuela to produce oil. Also one interesting fact is that in India from the time I have started driving two wheelers a litre of petrol cost 20Rs then in 1990’s and now it is around Rs50 in 2006. But amazingly the US gas price has been ranging from $1.91 to $2.68 per gallon(3.8 litres) for the past fifty years. The lowest oil price is in Venezuela costing about 0.12$ per gallon. The US with its gas guzzling SUV’s is the largest consumer of world oil but has done little to reduce dependence on oil. Instead it has only tried to secure its supply by constructing Strategic Petroleum Reserves which are nothing but underground salt caverns which can hold large amount of oil. Their reserves can help them hold out for sixty days in case of any crisis.
SPR at Bryan Mound, Texas
The initial stock market fall can also be attributed to the left grasping power in West Bengal and Kerala, thus causing the foreign investors to worry and pull out ( fall of 500 points in a day in sensex) which further created a domino effect including the mutual funds to pull out(A fall of eight hundred points in the sensex). Last comes the retail investor who pulled out in order to reduce his losses. But still I stay invested. Why???? I think it must be because I often show high risk behavior in the market and I believe that any one’s risk appetite is inversely proportional to their age.
For anyone wishing to become part of Dalal street, I think that this is the best time to enter. As even all blue chips are priced at a discount, it is a good time for investors to enter the market. But alas I have no more cash to pump in. (My bank balance now is about 1000 against a minimum balance of 5000).
The Indian growth story will continue and I firmly believe that inspite of these corrections, the sensex will surge ahead and outperform expectations. So my kind advice would be to stay invested and to increase your portfolios.
For those interested to enter the market now,my recommends would be
1. Infosys technologies
2. Reliance capital
3. ITC
4. Pantaloon retail
5. ONGC
Friday, May 12, 2006
Friday, May 05, 2006
KNOW MY MATES 6:
This is about Sriram Sivaram popularly known as Jillu. Sometimes as Jillu mani. Please don’t think that the mani was added as a mark of respect. It was because of a silly incident. Jillu was taking bath in some hostel bathroom without a lock and one guy just walked in. He din’t see anything unusual or strange but still felt that the title of ‘mani’ should follow his name(Mani in tamil means Bell).
He is a jolly type guy caring the least about studies and classes. But before exams gets possessed by a demonic urge and swots through the course contents. Often learns from S.A.Kannan. He is a 9 pointer. You may think why I am mentioning this and why the fuck am I bothered, but he is my next roll number. He has helped me a few times in my exams.(ok thats an understatement) And I have helped him back by providing answers to questions that he might have not studied (happens once in a blue moon) and also in one another way. When the evaluator corrects his paper after mine, to him jillu’s paper looks like an oasis in the desert. So with his own efforts and mine to provide the much needed contrast, he has bagged numero uno of class once.
Although he is the topper, his interest is in the English language and other non technical fields. Has no technical inclination and if he converts IIM-B (waitlist32), will take it up ditching the Ivy league admits he has got.
He is very frank with his mom. Has teased her sometimes, saying that he has fallen in love and hence going to marry some girl and not someone they arrange. But I don’t understand the fun in that banter. He has a big crush on vp of our class. Anyways he, like many others in the class hasn’t done anything about it.
Currently he is in a little depression because his crush and long time girl friend has become committed to someone else(edited later as per sriram's request). The people from his hostel wing have reported that they hear wails from his room late night. I hope he soon overcomes the loss and gets a move on with someone else. And dude why do you cry for that??
And yeah I forgot to mention his characteristic trait. He is a compulsive stickler for time. Jus kidding. This guy never turns up on time. Whenever you call him, for whatever reason, he just answers that he will be there in five minutes. But his five minutes takes an eternity. So now you are forewarned.
And he is the fastest in SMSing. The time taken for his replies is only the time taken by the network to deliver them. He has an odd habit of dancing when in conversation with a group. Now I think we guys have made him kick the habit, but it used to be a pretty sight to watch him do that.
This is about Sriram Sivaram popularly known as Jillu. Sometimes as Jillu mani. Please don’t think that the mani was added as a mark of respect. It was because of a silly incident. Jillu was taking bath in some hostel bathroom without a lock and one guy just walked in. He din’t see anything unusual or strange but still felt that the title of ‘mani’ should follow his name(Mani in tamil means Bell).
He is a jolly type guy caring the least about studies and classes. But before exams gets possessed by a demonic urge and swots through the course contents. Often learns from S.A.Kannan. He is a 9 pointer. You may think why I am mentioning this and why the fuck am I bothered, but he is my next roll number. He has helped me a few times in my exams.(ok thats an understatement) And I have helped him back by providing answers to questions that he might have not studied (happens once in a blue moon) and also in one another way. When the evaluator corrects his paper after mine, to him jillu’s paper looks like an oasis in the desert. So with his own efforts and mine to provide the much needed contrast, he has bagged numero uno of class once.
Although he is the topper, his interest is in the English language and other non technical fields. Has no technical inclination and if he converts IIM-B (waitlist32), will take it up ditching the Ivy league admits he has got.
He is very frank with his mom. Has teased her sometimes, saying that he has fallen in love and hence going to marry some girl and not someone they arrange. But I don’t understand the fun in that banter. He has a big crush on vp of our class. Anyways he, like many others in the class hasn’t done anything about it.
Currently he is in a little depression because his crush and long time girl friend has become committed to someone else(edited later as per sriram's request). The people from his hostel wing have reported that they hear wails from his room late night. I hope he soon overcomes the loss and gets a move on with someone else. And dude why do you cry for that??
And yeah I forgot to mention his characteristic trait. He is a compulsive stickler for time. Jus kidding. This guy never turns up on time. Whenever you call him, for whatever reason, he just answers that he will be there in five minutes. But his five minutes takes an eternity. So now you are forewarned.
And he is the fastest in SMSing. The time taken for his replies is only the time taken by the network to deliver them. He has an odd habit of dancing when in conversation with a group. Now I think we guys have made him kick the habit, but it used to be a pretty sight to watch him do that.
KNOW MY MATES 5:
This one is about Sisyphus Raja. As you can make out, the first thing people notice about him is his name. Peculiar. Ain’t it? So is it good or bad to have such a peculiar name instead of the ubiquitous karthiks and kumars. This is worth a debate. Lets see the pros and cons. A peculiar name is advantageous when you are getting introduced first time to a girl. You can be pretty sure that any girl who wants to talk something for the sake of talking, is going to ask what kind of a name it is. Since its your name you must be knowing stuff about it and can go on crapping. And I am sure Sisy has used this topic for flirting extensively.
Now the cons of having a less known name. In the classroom while rollcall any teacher can quickly remember the face that goes with this sort of a weird name. So it is difficult for others to give proxy for him. However with progressing semesters, lecturers became more dumb or lazy or both, that we got away with proxy calls even for SISYPHUS.
And about the name, I don’t remember much. Once Sisy was explaining to some lecturer that it was a Greek mythological character or rather a stone that gathers moss while rolling (Weird huh!! Forgive me Sisy I have a very poor memory) or something of that sort.
The first time you talk with him, you will feel WOW this guy knows his things and gadgets and is trendy. (hmm I’m not going to say what you are thinking) He spends a fortune on changing his mobile phone as often as the season changes. He plays a lot of PS2, but the funny thing is that he lost out on a challenge in his favorite game NFS to a rookie. But he drives his Baleno a lot better.
He loves to drink. It seems it all started when he was in his primary school. During the vacations in his native place, his parents used to mix some beer in his milk so that the poor child doesn’t wake up in the middle of the night hearing spooky sounds. Thus he picked up the habit and is now a virtuoso.The puzzling thing about him is that we can’t find when he is sober and when he isn’t. The enigma’s favorite tee says “I’m home. Take me drunk” This sums up Sisy for u.
Has a long list of girl friends. Was very close with one in first semester but then broke up. Anyone in our group who mentions that sported a black eye for a week. Then in third year he fell bigtime for Divya. During our combined studies, he used to slip away to dreamland imagining some raunchy tamil numbers casting himself and her. Now has got a lot of close friends in Coimbatore.
He is going to become the next GM of his dad’s company as soon as clears his papers and gets through college. And he has promised me that he will give some inside info for me about his company’s share in the Madras stock exchange, but he still doesn’t what its face value or current valuation.
He had vowed to finish off every lecturer who was mean to him. Anytime he gets scolded, the next line he says is “enna! thookidilama?”, but still I havn’t seen him make one flying. The funniest incident between us happened during an Antennas assessment test. Sisy and I had not prepared for the test for obvious reasons. We depended on Gowri to show us the answer sheets. Gowri finished his first sheet and passed it to me. I scribbled it and sent my sheet to Sisy. As happens in the game ‘Passing the secret’, the content got degraded after every hop. Then when I returned Gowri’s paper, one more guy in our middle wanted to see. So Gowri kept his answer sheet inclined. Gowri was absorbed in the questions that he didn’t notice our antenna teacher seeing him. So he got caught in the act (no pun intended). We thought he would plead and ask sorry. But dude he surprised us and even the staff. He started arguing how he could be treated like this when he had studied all night. Finding it illogical, he was given an instant zero. Sisy and I came out of the hall contented with our performance but feeling sorry for Gowri. But this is the clincher. The sheets were returned with me scoring 2 and Sisy scoring 1 on twenty five.
However Sisy, Gowri and I cleared the subject when the class topper and one electronics nerd were given arrears.
This one is about Sisyphus Raja. As you can make out, the first thing people notice about him is his name. Peculiar. Ain’t it? So is it good or bad to have such a peculiar name instead of the ubiquitous karthiks and kumars. This is worth a debate. Lets see the pros and cons. A peculiar name is advantageous when you are getting introduced first time to a girl. You can be pretty sure that any girl who wants to talk something for the sake of talking, is going to ask what kind of a name it is. Since its your name you must be knowing stuff about it and can go on crapping. And I am sure Sisy has used this topic for flirting extensively.
Now the cons of having a less known name. In the classroom while rollcall any teacher can quickly remember the face that goes with this sort of a weird name. So it is difficult for others to give proxy for him. However with progressing semesters, lecturers became more dumb or lazy or both, that we got away with proxy calls even for SISYPHUS.
And about the name, I don’t remember much. Once Sisy was explaining to some lecturer that it was a Greek mythological character or rather a stone that gathers moss while rolling (Weird huh!! Forgive me Sisy I have a very poor memory) or something of that sort.
The first time you talk with him, you will feel WOW this guy knows his things and gadgets and is trendy. (hmm I’m not going to say what you are thinking) He spends a fortune on changing his mobile phone as often as the season changes. He plays a lot of PS2, but the funny thing is that he lost out on a challenge in his favorite game NFS to a rookie. But he drives his Baleno a lot better.
He loves to drink. It seems it all started when he was in his primary school. During the vacations in his native place, his parents used to mix some beer in his milk so that the poor child doesn’t wake up in the middle of the night hearing spooky sounds. Thus he picked up the habit and is now a virtuoso.The puzzling thing about him is that we can’t find when he is sober and when he isn’t. The enigma’s favorite tee says “I’m home. Take me drunk” This sums up Sisy for u.
Has a long list of girl friends. Was very close with one in first semester but then broke up. Anyone in our group who mentions that sported a black eye for a week. Then in third year he fell bigtime for Divya. During our combined studies, he used to slip away to dreamland imagining some raunchy tamil numbers casting himself and her. Now has got a lot of close friends in Coimbatore.
He is going to become the next GM of his dad’s company as soon as clears his papers and gets through college. And he has promised me that he will give some inside info for me about his company’s share in the Madras stock exchange, but he still doesn’t what its face value or current valuation.
He had vowed to finish off every lecturer who was mean to him. Anytime he gets scolded, the next line he says is “enna! thookidilama?”, but still I havn’t seen him make one flying. The funniest incident between us happened during an Antennas assessment test. Sisy and I had not prepared for the test for obvious reasons. We depended on Gowri to show us the answer sheets. Gowri finished his first sheet and passed it to me. I scribbled it and sent my sheet to Sisy. As happens in the game ‘Passing the secret’, the content got degraded after every hop. Then when I returned Gowri’s paper, one more guy in our middle wanted to see. So Gowri kept his answer sheet inclined. Gowri was absorbed in the questions that he didn’t notice our antenna teacher seeing him. So he got caught in the act (no pun intended). We thought he would plead and ask sorry. But dude he surprised us and even the staff. He started arguing how he could be treated like this when he had studied all night. Finding it illogical, he was given an instant zero. Sisy and I came out of the hall contented with our performance but feeling sorry for Gowri. But this is the clincher. The sheets were returned with me scoring 2 and Sisy scoring 1 on twenty five.
However Sisy, Gowri and I cleared the subject when the class topper and one electronics nerd were given arrears.
THE ELECTIONS
This May, the elections in Tamil Nadu has very much become an issue of selecting a party which offers the best freebies. So the choice is not between DMK or ADMK, its between a T.V or a computer. This time it seems I have no goods that is of use to me in the freebie list. So I think I will refrain from voting. But next time around, I will wait for the manifestos to be declared before buying any gadgets.
Now as you all know the promised things include T.Vs, computers, gold for marriage, compensation for maternal expenses(may be they got the idea after seeing Ajith’s Thirupathi) and subsidized rice. Today ADMK has announced that it will get rid of CAS in Chennai if it comes to power. For one instant I just thanked my mom for pushing me to get the voter’s ID but then that’s déjà vu. Didn’t Kalanidhi Maran tell the same thing for the parliament elections??
So to make people like us to vote, what freebies do we require?? Let us see.
• free movie tickets
• free Pulsars to unemployed youth
• free unlimited broadband packages for existing users
• free set top boxes(if they r’nt going to scrap it)
• monthly free 10 ltrs petrol and the next 10 at a subsidized cost of 30Rs/ltr
• free mobiles
• free jeans in ration shops
Hmm I can keep adding on. Anyway so before the next elections please postpone buying of any of the above said articles because who knows, you may get it free.
And any north Indians reading this, I suggest you have your weddings in Tamil Nadu as you will get gold for free. Anyone being pregnant is also welcome. If something free is offered for honeymoons, then I think many Indians will like shifting their bases to Tamil Nadu.
This May, the elections in Tamil Nadu has very much become an issue of selecting a party which offers the best freebies. So the choice is not between DMK or ADMK, its between a T.V or a computer. This time it seems I have no goods that is of use to me in the freebie list. So I think I will refrain from voting. But next time around, I will wait for the manifestos to be declared before buying any gadgets.
Now as you all know the promised things include T.Vs, computers, gold for marriage, compensation for maternal expenses(may be they got the idea after seeing Ajith’s Thirupathi) and subsidized rice. Today ADMK has announced that it will get rid of CAS in Chennai if it comes to power. For one instant I just thanked my mom for pushing me to get the voter’s ID but then that’s déjà vu. Didn’t Kalanidhi Maran tell the same thing for the parliament elections??
So to make people like us to vote, what freebies do we require?? Let us see.
• free movie tickets
• free Pulsars to unemployed youth
• free unlimited broadband packages for existing users
• free set top boxes(if they r’nt going to scrap it)
• monthly free 10 ltrs petrol and the next 10 at a subsidized cost of 30Rs/ltr
• free mobiles
• free jeans in ration shops
Hmm I can keep adding on. Anyway so before the next elections please postpone buying of any of the above said articles because who knows, you may get it free.
And any north Indians reading this, I suggest you have your weddings in Tamil Nadu as you will get gold for free. Anyone being pregnant is also welcome. If something free is offered for honeymoons, then I think many Indians will like shifting their bases to Tamil Nadu.
Monday, May 01, 2006
KNOW MY MATES 4:
This one is about the studious guy in our group. Oh yes!! There is at least one among us who is good at engineering education. Prakash is a weird guy. He will look the most careless jolly kind of guy (like me) from the outset but boy he can swot it out if required.
A total veggie he likes to eat anything but always in multiple servings.
He is yet to start shaving. But he may tell you that he has already begun. I would suggest you to take a look at him and then decide for yourself.
He likes gaming and tv. During the many nights we have spent with him, gaming on our PS2 we usually doze off before dawn breaks. But he stays put and continues…… The same applies to nights before tests too. He can be awake for stretches of perpetuity without even winking and can also keep you awake alongside. Sisy will corroborate that.
Before tests Prakash has a practice of writing down whatever he has learnt. If you are not careful enough and let your notebooks strewn around while studying with him, you can be assured of a totally filled up notebook when you wake up.
He has a soft corner for AB batch’s Aishwarya, but we lost interest in digging up that issue as he has an uncanny knack of avoiding discussing his issues although we all may be interested. The latest in that is that he was spotted going around the hostel for her photo on the pretext of loading the farewell photos on his thumb drive.
For his GRE prep, he studied the Barons wordlist upside down. Starting from almost ground zero, in a month he was so adept in it that when we say a word he could reel of the wordlist number and the word after and before it.
And boy he does have a very loud voice. He is the best contemporary example for a stentorian. But you will never believe me because he fakes such an innocent look after a very rude comment that even the person beside him cannot point him.
He has not yet watched porn. Hard to believe but that is what he says. However with his aptitude he can learn things fast and so need not worry.
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