Sunday, August 31, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Another Blunder By India..
http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/25/stories/2008082560211600.htm
Look at how beautifully China has us surrounded - Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Srilanka and now it is Nepal. This is how you plan - this is how you grow. Not by tugging ur tail between your legs and calling your self non-aligned.
Present day India is not even close to calling itself non-aligned. It is growing fast, ultra-ambitious. But we still dont know how to make relationships, friends in the military quarters. We stop with cultural, economic, trade and tourist relationships with countries. Never take it to the strategic/military levels. There lies our weakness. China has used everyone around us by investing in their country, providing favours, improving infrastructure, military aid etc. This is where I see a stark different in the foreign policy. We have a uni-dimensional and defensive foreign policy whereas China (much like US or Russia) has an active and proactive policy.
They get out and try to make military allies. If we ever aspire to becoming a super power, we need an outward looking, active foreign policy with considerable man power dedicated to creating new friends. Also needed is a think-tank that can plan the next 20 years of strategic relationships, make the moves from right now to reach the goals.
Look at how beautifully China has us surrounded - Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Srilanka and now it is Nepal. This is how you plan - this is how you grow. Not by tugging ur tail between your legs and calling your self non-aligned.
Present day India is not even close to calling itself non-aligned. It is growing fast, ultra-ambitious. But we still dont know how to make relationships, friends in the military quarters. We stop with cultural, economic, trade and tourist relationships with countries. Never take it to the strategic/military levels. There lies our weakness. China has used everyone around us by investing in their country, providing favours, improving infrastructure, military aid etc. This is where I see a stark different in the foreign policy. We have a uni-dimensional and defensive foreign policy whereas China (much like US or Russia) has an active and proactive policy.
They get out and try to make military allies. If we ever aspire to becoming a super power, we need an outward looking, active foreign policy with considerable man power dedicated to creating new friends. Also needed is a think-tank that can plan the next 20 years of strategic relationships, make the moves from right now to reach the goals.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Change
Early morning... sudden random thought train....
"Change is constant, change is good, change is tough... and change is hard to get..
To change is to progress. To enjoy the better quality of life, appreciate the advantages of the change(be it scientific, political, social) and embrace it with the society. You will be seen as one of advanced, sophisticated individuals, who is face/forefront of the change. How intellectually sound you are... to accept the changing times and adapt yourself to best fit it. Then you get on the general platform with lot of others sharing your view - critically arguing, cross-examining and finally reassuring yourselves the good that has come out of it.
Then there are these "others" who don't change immediately. In their view, the change is either unnecessary, evil or unjust (by some older established code). Generally this bunch will have some ulterior motive and personal advantage in the olden ways prevailing, or they are too used to the older system to actually change. The last category is the bunch which really has some logical argument against the new systems. But together, they would still be minority, declared as some kind of villains - old fashioned, opposing the general view, unwilling to change etc.
All this is true, but so is the fact that these people form some an essential spin control for the society. They slow down the transition to make sure issues are ironed out. They make very good critics. Criticism that will eventually help improve on areas where the change IS really bad.... Change..... badly....Change..... need Change badly..."
Zooooooming out to the real world, I was still searching my wallet to tender "exact" change...... for my trip from home to office. Found it. The bus starts moving...
"Change is constant, change is good, change is tough... and change is hard to get..
To change is to progress. To enjoy the better quality of life, appreciate the advantages of the change(be it scientific, political, social) and embrace it with the society. You will be seen as one of advanced, sophisticated individuals, who is face/forefront of the change. How intellectually sound you are... to accept the changing times and adapt yourself to best fit it. Then you get on the general platform with lot of others sharing your view - critically arguing, cross-examining and finally reassuring yourselves the good that has come out of it.
Then there are these "others" who don't change immediately. In their view, the change is either unnecessary, evil or unjust (by some older established code). Generally this bunch will have some ulterior motive and personal advantage in the olden ways prevailing, or they are too used to the older system to actually change. The last category is the bunch which really has some logical argument against the new systems. But together, they would still be minority, declared as some kind of villains - old fashioned, opposing the general view, unwilling to change etc.
All this is true, but so is the fact that these people form some an essential spin control for the society. They slow down the transition to make sure issues are ironed out. They make very good critics. Criticism that will eventually help improve on areas where the change IS really bad.... Change..... badly....Change..... need Change badly..."
Zooooooming out to the real world, I was still searching my wallet to tender "exact" change...... for my trip from home to office. Found it. The bus starts moving...
Monday, August 18, 2008
Corporate Gyan
Some of my own tried and tested corporate fundas. From books, personal experience from the receiving end and some as the orchestrator.
- Person asking questions, automatically grabs his right to deserve an answer.
- Acting sad or depressed automatically increases the sympathy and care towards you
- Acting pissed off or angry automatically puts you in a position to judge/command others - Rather puts the others in a position to soothe you. But don't over try.
- Be nosy about other peoples tasks. Finishing your job well in time is the first step. Helps you poke around and learn what others are doing. Information is power.
- No acting can substitute for actual listening. Read a lot of crap on body language and act naturally (i.e. what those books term as natural).
- Over usage of repeating part of speech, generally means you are taking that time to think - which is bad. So is taking a long time to think between words.
- English(Technical) to English(Managerial) translation of your colleague's work to you manager, puts you above them in his book.
- Effort:Result=GuyFinishingTheWork:GuyReportingTheCompletion. Who reports the completion of a task automatically takes credit for doing it - or at least looks like the guy who brings you the news - the next leader.
- With Indian managers, even if you are mediocre, working late hours help.
- If you are generally perfect in your job, the occasional mistakes can be made to look like innocence.
- Under promise and over deliver - universal mantra to happiness. Commit carefully - don't take pita (pain in the a**) jobs. Best case would be no complaints, worst case is losing your reputation.
- Surprises work best when things are at their most normal.
- Corollary of 12 - You will be the clearest thinker, if you can successfully confuse everyone else - remember you need not be right, just make them think (I mentioned this last because, this is generally means of escaping sinking project without getting trapped yourself. Keep it for the worst case scenario as you can't play this frequently)
Monday, August 11, 2008
Dishoooooooooom
Hip hip hurray !!!!!!!!
India got a gold medal in a singles event in Olympics after 108 years!!!
Congrats to Abhinav Bindra for shooting his way into record books. The 17th seater's well deserved win will prove encouraging for people pursuing games other than cricket (Chess,Tennis, Hockey everything has suffered because of cricket).
Good to see other sports getting media exposure, highlight and most importantly, sponsors- Hoping to see another medal in women's badminton. Also like to see funding and sponsorship for different sporting events. We have commercialized education, health etc, why not Sports?
India got a gold medal in a singles event in Olympics after 108 years!!!
Congrats to Abhinav Bindra for shooting his way into record books. The 17th seater's well deserved win will prove encouraging for people pursuing games other than cricket (Chess,Tennis, Hockey everything has suffered because of cricket).
Good to see other sports getting media exposure, highlight and most importantly, sponsors- Hoping to see another medal in women's badminton. Also like to see funding and sponsorship for different sporting events. We have commercialized education, health etc, why not Sports?
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Nuke deal - Has India Sold Herself?
There has been a lot of talk about India becoming a puppet in the hands on US, if the nuke deal should go through. It does appear so at the first glance. But think again.
Visible Signs:
1. India did not give in to US pressure to cancel the IPI pipeline
2. India went against US and fought on the WTO conference, finally walked out too. (Bush called Manmohan thrice in a single day to back off from WTO talks, India did not. Also a supreme court judge wrote to the PM not to bend under pressure). Kamalnath finally walked out..
3. India raised strong objections against Israel or America commencing a military offensive against Iran. It is different matter that EU also seconded India's opinions on this affair.
4. We are still a strong Non-Aligned country and are placed in a unique position. We are keeping Russia and US at a equal distance, making them obligated to impress us.
5. India will become the only state that would be exempted from NTP and CTBT, and still get international fuel and technology. The risk for Americans is that India will never actually involve in trade with them after 123 and NSG clearance. We have France and Russia, whom we feel are more trustworthy.
Behind the Scenes:
1. US has been a cold-war ally of Pakistan and we may never feel too comfortable with them. Who knows, down the lane, Pakis may also get their bite of an 123
2. US needs this more than India does. Our reactors have been running fine for these many decades with Russian, Canadian and French assistance. What difference could this agreement or walking out of it do?
3. China has so much control on the US market, they can "potentially" blackmail the already crumbling US economy. Only thing stopping them is it will be self detrimental at the moment. There will come a time when the Chinese economy becomes more powerful than American. India wants to reduce their dependency on the US economy too. This is just a stop gap measure to save ourselves and keep the US satisfied.
4. The 123 has vaguest description of what India or US will do in case there is a breach of contract by either. In long term, this provides more advantages to us than to USoA
5. We are already self-sufficient in technology, though not as efficient. As for fuel, more effort has been started on Uranium and Thorium exploration. In another 10-15 years, we wont need the 123. We would be perfecting the Thorium based designs(we have world's second largest thorium reserves - good for another 350 years). My understanding is that this agreement sends a political message of our growing ties with US. A warning sign to China - nothing else.
6. There is no factual basis - but there is an argument that certain US equipments are outdated compared to our own and European designs.
Every anti-123 argument in India is based on the speculation that India will lose the ability to conduct further tests and lose her Image in the International arena. But looking at the entire picture of what will happen if India should conduct a test in the future, the impact seems minimal. We have nuclear stockpiles for next 30 years and still identifying more mines. We have already shown that we can oppose US on major issues like Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline and WTO. One thing that worries me though is buying their military hardware without technology transfer. They are notoriously well known for stopping spare supplies,know-how etc. We'll have to wait and see if India accepts a waiver with "conditions". I still expect a few slips between the cup and lip..
Visible Signs:
1. India did not give in to US pressure to cancel the IPI pipeline
2. India went against US and fought on the WTO conference, finally walked out too. (Bush called Manmohan thrice in a single day to back off from WTO talks, India did not. Also a supreme court judge wrote to the PM not to bend under pressure). Kamalnath finally walked out..
3. India raised strong objections against Israel or America commencing a military offensive against Iran. It is different matter that EU also seconded India's opinions on this affair.
4. We are still a strong Non-Aligned country and are placed in a unique position. We are keeping Russia and US at a equal distance, making them obligated to impress us.
5. India will become the only state that would be exempted from NTP and CTBT, and still get international fuel and technology. The risk for Americans is that India will never actually involve in trade with them after 123 and NSG clearance. We have France and Russia, whom we feel are more trustworthy.
Behind the Scenes:
1. US has been a cold-war ally of Pakistan and we may never feel too comfortable with them. Who knows, down the lane, Pakis may also get their bite of an 123
2. US needs this more than India does. Our reactors have been running fine for these many decades with Russian, Canadian and French assistance. What difference could this agreement or walking out of it do?
3. China has so much control on the US market, they can "potentially" blackmail the already crumbling US economy. Only thing stopping them is it will be self detrimental at the moment. There will come a time when the Chinese economy becomes more powerful than American. India wants to reduce their dependency on the US economy too. This is just a stop gap measure to save ourselves and keep the US satisfied.
4. The 123 has vaguest description of what India or US will do in case there is a breach of contract by either. In long term, this provides more advantages to us than to USoA
5. We are already self-sufficient in technology, though not as efficient. As for fuel, more effort has been started on Uranium and Thorium exploration. In another 10-15 years, we wont need the 123. We would be perfecting the Thorium based designs(we have world's second largest thorium reserves - good for another 350 years). My understanding is that this agreement sends a political message of our growing ties with US. A warning sign to China - nothing else.
6. There is no factual basis - but there is an argument that certain US equipments are outdated compared to our own and European designs.
Every anti-123 argument in India is based on the speculation that India will lose the ability to conduct further tests and lose her Image in the International arena. But looking at the entire picture of what will happen if India should conduct a test in the future, the impact seems minimal. We have nuclear stockpiles for next 30 years and still identifying more mines. We have already shown that we can oppose US on major issues like Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline and WTO. One thing that worries me though is buying their military hardware without technology transfer. They are notoriously well known for stopping spare supplies,know-how etc. We'll have to wait and see if India accepts a waiver with "conditions". I still expect a few slips between the cup and lip..
Friday, August 01, 2008
Ubuntu Cleanup
For anyone who is running Ubuntu and wants to retrieve some disk space. For my own future reference too :)
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=140920
http://www.stchman.com/cleanup.html
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/clean-up-ubuntu-grub-boot-menu-after-upgrades/
http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/7735/
http://tombuntu.com/index.php/2008/04/25/10-tips-for-after-you-install-or-upgrade-ubuntu/
http://tombuntu.com/index.php/2007/10/17/remove-ubuntu-kernels-you-dont-need/
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=140920
http://www.stchman.com/cleanup.html
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/clean-up-ubuntu-grub-boot-menu-after-upgrades/
http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/7735/
http://tombuntu.com/index.php/2008/04/25/10-tips-for-after-you-install-or-upgrade-ubuntu/
http://tombuntu.com/index.php/2007/10/17/remove-ubuntu-kernels-you-dont-need/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)