Political fiasco and resignations…

The week that was…..

Many things have been said so far regarding the devastating tragedy. And yes there were a few insensitive so-called human beings too, who were audible enough to voice their idiotic opinions on the mass human tragedy.

No points for guessing whom I am talking about- It’s no one else than our Safari coat- clad politicians who made statements after statements projecting their in-human side.
“The terrorists had planned to kill 5,000 but we managed to curb the tragedy and reduce the count till 200; incidents like this keep on happening in big cities; There is no need to resign as no one prior to me had given resignation whenever such a tragedy took place; developmental progress resulted in negligence of security measures” – these were the statements given by our beloved politicians. And the act which broke all limits was the infamous visit (stroll to be more precise) to the Taj with an actor-son and a director who is credited to inspire terrorists and underworld alike, with his so-called realistic films.

One thing I fail to understand – What is behind the powerful seat that manages to corrupt all the elected politicians. How can a person from a rural background (Sangli) make such heartless statements? Should we call it lack of education, ignorance or should we call it lack of a soul?

I am sorry but I am not ashamed to confess that, maybe I am not educated enough to understand such apathy towards the public. But things didn’t stop here. What followed are a series of resignations which kept piling over the desks of our Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and congress President Sonia Gandhi. The first person who was sincere enough to accept his inability to curb terror attacks was our Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

My comment on his resignation: Sir, why so late? You should have resigned long back when our country was being bombed from all the sides by the terrorists. But you gave an obviously insensitive and meaningless statement after each attack.

After Jaipur Blasts he said: "Their aim (to create communal disturbances) has been thwarted. The people of Jaipur have not allowed their nefarious design to succeed,"

After Bangalore Blasts: "Anti-national elements have been trying to create panic among the people in our country".

After Assam Blasts: It is a handiwork of those who did not want peace to prevail.
Sir, even my eight-year-old neighbour would have pointed out the same.

But, we should congratulate Patil Sahib for finally accepting his responsibility and stepping down. And an even bigger applause for Mr. R.R Patil who finally accepted he cannot handle the designation. Also our adored Chief Minister who is a huge bollywood fan has also stepped down from the post following public protests.

Yeah, Yeah I will comment on the RGV meets Deshmukh incident too:

Dear Sirs, (yes I am talking to Ritiesh too), what was the reason behind your picnic to the Taj? For your kind information, it definitely isn’t any film location and these is certainly not the right time to pen a script on the incident; nor are you two filmi personalities authorized to be there.

Political gimmicks gone wrong:

Every politician in town tried to gain publicity from this terror attacks. They paid visits to the bereaved families and injured citizens and some even tried to donate charity to the martyr’s families. But a kind and humble request: please don’t hurt us more and as it is your words or money isn’t going to bring back the dead to life. Wish you would have paid more attention to your respective portfolios and responsibilities.

Final message to the men in power:

But the people are no more ignorant fools and won’t certainly be misled this time.
It’s time you politicians wake up or step down. Enough accumulation of wealth and power, it’s time you’ll do something for the public too. Stop passing the buck and accept your mistakes and think of a solution before its too late…


Questions that need to be answered:

Will this be the last terrorist attack in India?

Is the security going to be increased in the wake of these attacks?

Are the resignations of the ministers going to help?

Shouldn’t the ministers be punished for their remarks?



- Archer Akshay

IT companies plan to cut energy to save costs!

“Horse imitates his trainer.” My father says “It’s never too early to start saving.” I think everyone knows this, yes everyone. One might have picked up these proverbs in some book. Even your parents might have told you this. Therefore, the bottom line is, everyone knows these proverbs. These proverbs apply to every one; I mean every ‘individual’. However, Infosys and TCS have proven exceptions. Neither have they imitated their superiors nor have they planned for recession when they had ample time.

Well, are you still baffled what I am saying? Let me make my point clear. Infosys is now going for cost cutting of $10 per person, while TCS has yet to reveal cost-cutting plans. Both the firms think that this is high time to optimise its resources utilisation. They are going for energy saving, extended working hours, optimising on travelling and communication costs and freeze hiring process!

They are looking for every possible area to cut costs and try to improve their annual balance sheets. TCS and Infosys have one of the best management teams, which can easily handle such crisis. Let me put it in my way, “They are competent enough to avoid such crisis, or are they?” Yes, are they competent enough? Infosys and TCS have best of Engineers, MBA’s in their management team. Does everyone of those “gold medalist” need prior experience to avoid/handle such crisis? Oh, I forgot, they are already experienced, because every one these days need ‘experienced’ employees. Knock knock! Wake up! YOUR TEAM HAS FAILED TO SUCCESSFULLY HANDLE THE SITUATION.

According to me, these so-called “gold medalist” should have foreseen the situation. They should have made some reservations for recession period. They should have used their resources optimally even in non-recession period. They were having their laugh when IT was booming. Now, they are putting their heads down and looking for areas for cost cutting. I am too rude on these people. They might know what I have written, but it seems that they still are not performing at their highest potential.

Infosys has failed to learn from the simplicity of Mr Murthy. Someone has truly said, “Any moron can make acquisition in good times, but one who does acquisition in bad times is real winner.”

~Vinamra Gharat

From Cricket to Politics

Who said the game of cricket was devoid of politics?
The patrons of cricket in India and those concerned with the game surely have taken a back seat since the 26/11 Mumbai tragedy. Cricket in India witnessed series’ annulments and withdrawals. It all began with the unfortunate massacre which took place on the 26th of November, a date which no one will be able to forget. Indian cricket fans already began celebrations of yet another victory against the English side; however celebrations turned into mourning as firecrackers were replaced by gun-shots and hand-grenades. What followed next is known to all. The game of cricket too was affected by the devastating incident. England cancelled the remaining two ODIs whereas the unofficial Indian Cricket League cancelled the entire World Series tourney. It did not end over here. BCCI’S ever-ambitious Champions League tournament which was scheduled to begin in December was abandoned by the tourists.

As one of the officials rightly stated it’s no more about cricket. But, it doesn’t end over here too- The Indian tour of Pakistan is also in peril, now that it’s clear who was involved in the terrorist attacks.

Sports they say have no religion and no boundaries and are clear from any political conspiracies. So is this decision right or wrong? But history is evident to the fact that sports and politics go hand-in-hand. Can we forget the Munich slaughter in which countless Israeli athletes were killed by Palestinians during the Olympics? The question of our cricketers’ safety is another thing. But what about playing with a neighbour who has back-stabbed us countless times in the past? Then we can say that it’s certainly not about cricket anymore because no sport and nothing at all is important than the very safety of our country and vengeance against our enemies. Playing a cricket match with our so-called friends will be like ‘sleeping with our enemy’. Can we afford a further disgrace to our country? Can we afford to play a game against a country which is responsible for the deaths of countless Indians?

I am sure cricket fanatics all over India will agree that we should abandon each and every relationship with the neighbouring country. It’s time we took a tough stand against terrorism and dealt with it seriously. Let’s not allow the sacrifices of hundreds of people be washed-out in a cricket match, please learn to say no!!!


-Archer Akshay

Who's Next

A series of Terrorist attacks which began since the Jaipur blasts in May earlier this year ended with the economic capital of India being targeted yet again. Only this time the Terrorists came out into the open and created a havoc that ripped through the heart of Mumbai. The faceless and the people behind the masks, as they were known earlier revealed their true identities without any fear and managed to kill hundreds of innocent people which included top officials too. Entire police personnel including commandos and Black Kats were engaged in a gruesome battle lasting 3 days. The losses which occurred during those 3 days can never be recovered. But even a more grievous wound was inflicted upon the souls and minds of the citizens of Mumbai.

Yes we have faced a lot – 1993 Bomb Blasts, 26^th July floods, 2003 twin blasts and 7/11 Train Blasts – but the question that should be asked now is, how much more can we tolerate, how much more will we have to suffer? A person who leaves home for work in the morning is no more assured that he will return safely and a person dining out with his family might be eating his last meal. It is time we stop patting each other’s back and saluting the spirit of Mumbai and it’s time we start questioning the people responsible for our security and it’s certainly time that we are ensured a safe life in the so-called safest city of India.

Wake up Politicians and those responsible to protect us and realize that a meager relief amount of 3 lakhs cannot solve the problem because when a person dies in such an attack, it’s also the family which gets killed along with him mentally. Can you recover that loss? The answer is a simple but a thought provoking ‘No’! Instead of assuring each other that it’s over, the situation is under control now, we are asking ourselves – Who’s next? We are sitting ducks waiting to be killed by the heartless poachers. Let’s all stand united in this moment of peril and ask for some answers and make certain this is the last attack. Please no more now, spare us and do shield us.


- Akshay Rane

Terror x Foreign Direct Investment= Indian Economic Slowdown?

It is not new to India, not even for the Indian people. India is facing terror attacks since 1993. The recent attacks on Taj heritage, Oberoi hotels and Nariman house which claimed more than 170 people including citizens of the USA, the UK and Australia. This incident has raised questions over the security measures by government. The UPA government has failed to curtail terrorism in its 5-year tenure.

India is blessed with a very good Prime Minister and Finance Minister. Overall performance of UPA has not up to notch. I am of the opinion that India in current situation will attract lesser foreign investments for short-term period. Following are some reasons, which will have negative effect on FDI’s:

Political uncertainty: Year 2009 is election-year for India. Looking at political scenario, Congress government has failed to curtail terrorism; BJP cannot handle power for five continuous years while other political parties have no calibre to handle the government. Even local political parties have total domination over national projects. For example, Trinumool Congress, which had its disputes with TATA Nano project resulted into transfer of Nano plant to Gujarat.

Global economic slowdown: The world is facing worse recession since The Great Depression. Year 2008 has proved a black year for world economy. Finance, Infrastructure, Information Technology sectors are the most affected. The most important factor a businessperson will look before investment is Capital Surplus. It is simple, if a business has no money to expand or invest in new horizons even though it is profitable, he has to borrow money or abandon the plan. We are in scenario where banks are bankrupt and require bailout or the borrowing norms are tight.

Terror attacks: To make situation worse, India is facing terror attacks all around the country. India witnessed eight major terror attacks in year 2008. One can argue that New York has witnessed WTC attacks and London has witnessed bomb blast. However, the interesting fact is that they haven’t faced any terror attacks after that. While in India, there is no strict law pertaining to terrorism. The UK, the USA and Australian government has advised their citizens against visiting India.

Effect of the current environment on Indian economy:

The recent terror attacks will have short-term effect on Indian economy. The foreign delegations, investors will be weary to visit India to carry on any further business. Foreign companies believe that their real assets are their employees, will be cautious sending their representatives. Even tourism and hospitality industry, which is major contributor towards country’s GDP, will have negative effect. The November-March season is considered cash making season will be lull. Even Airline sector will have effect on their business, as there will be sizable reduction in foreigners travelling both for business and vacation purpose.

The terror attack will have short-term effect, as India is one of the biggest emerging markets with abundant resources available in cheap. The volumes of business and profits earned from India will be too good to attract FDI’s in to country. Looking into past record of terror attacks in country, India has never failed to attract FDI’s just for the reason of terror attacks. Government has provided various benefits in term of land, tax and infrastructure, while cheap availability of labour as well as huge market to sell their products that is enough to attract FDI’s for medium and long term prospective.

A company with unique and very good product will fetch huge profits in current scenario. A smart investor will look current situation as an opportunity to invest rather than shying away. Investing is full of risk. There is no profit without taking risk. If FDI’s need to earn huge profits, they have to take this risk. India has always been great place to invest and will be always great place to earn profits.

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