Friday, August 24, 2007
Who holds the Indian flag in the Kashmir valley?
Last week, the nation celebrated the 60th anniversary of India's freedom. Indians all over the globe attended Independence Day celebrations, be it the flag hoisting ceremony at Lal Qila, or the Indian Mela in London [Images] or India Day celebrations in Boston or the Independence Day parades in state capitals all around the country.
Indian television channels also celebrated by airing the shows focused on India's journey over the last 60 years. Some shows focused on 'what is going right for the country' whereas some focused on 'what has gone wrong and what could we do to right the wrongs.'
Once again, we pledged to do whatever it takes to make our nation strong, united and self-sufficient. We remembered and honoured our fallen soldiers. We honoured our best and encouraged our 'better ones' to be the best. We were upbeat. We were positive. We believed in our strengths and pledged to remain focused on our goals. We reflected upon the 'past' and talked about the 'future.'
But sadly, we forgot the 'present.'
While the nation was celebrating the freedom, there were many amongst us who could not do the same. For these unfortunate ones, freedom means much more than hoisting the national pride -- the tricolour. For them, freedom means freedom from fear, freedom from persecution, freedom from governmental apathy, freedom from unemployment, and above all freedom from the shackles of pseudo-democracy.
Yes, my friends, I am talking about 7,000 odd Kashmiri Hindus who are still in the Kashmir valley. These faceless and voiceless human beings stayed put in the valley because that is where their home is. These unfortunate souls decided to weather the terrorism because they cannot leave the place where their heart is. One might argue that why they didn't leave the valley like other 400,000+ folks of their community.
But then one might also want to argue that why should they leave their place of abode. Why should they leave the lands that their forefathers had tilled? Why should they? They are patriotic souls who believed in the tricolour and the nationhood of India. They believed in the Indian Constitution that is supposed to guarantee them the security, dignity, honour and freedom of expression.
They are brave souls who decided to weather any and every storm they might have to face. But their bravery does not mean that we, the rest of the nation, leave them alone at the mercy of hegemonic behaviour of the majority community in the valley and indifferent and apathetic state and central government.
You might argue that there are more pressing issues that India faces and needs to tackle than care for these 7,000 odd Kashmiri Hindus' fundamental rights and I would not dispute that. But I would strongly argue back that while their numbers might look small, the strategic consequences of losing them would result in losing Kashmir altogether.
It is these 7,000 odd human beings who are still keeping the Indian tricolour alive in the valley.
Isn't it shameful that while we were hoisting flags all over the globe, the only tricolours that were hoisted in the valley were hoisted by ministers at official ceremonies? No one would dare to hoist the Indian tricolour openly at any other place.
If you visit the valley today, you will not see a single tricolour flying at any place. It is only these 7,000 human beings who, while living in ground zero, still 'unconditionally' believe in the Indian Constitution and its sovereignty. If we lose them, we lose Kashmir. And if we lose Kashmir, that would be the beginning of the end of one Indian Nation.
If we lose Kashmir, that would be the beginning of the Balkanisation of India. After losing Kashmir, it would be just a matter of time before we start losing other limbs of our nation.
So please decide which issue is more important for India's future as a nation.
My dear friends, can we afford to ignore these 7,000 brave souls and leave them at the mercy of terrorists? Can we afford to lose Kashmir and then see India gradually disintegrate? No. We cannot and should not.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] in his address to the nation, from the ramparts of the Lal Qila, talked about his vision of a new caring India -- 'An India in which the weak and downtrodden are empowered, the disabled find support, the destitute find succour and every individual is touched by the hand of progress and development... An India in which every citizen can live a life of dignity, self-respect, decency and hope; where every citizen feels proud to say -- I am Indian!'
Mr Prime Minister, these 7,000 Kashmiri Hindu souls already feel proud to be Indian but they are not living the life of dignity, self-respect, decency and hope. They are being subjected to perpetual humiliation at the hands of the majority community. Would you please stand up and take notice? Would you please direct your Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to take stock of their situation and provide relief and rehabilitation to them?
Would you please guarantee these minority citizens their fundamental rights? Would you, please?
Talking about industrialisation, agrarian change and the resultant displacement of rural masses, Dr Singh said, 'I agree that it is the responsibility of government to ensure that displacement does not lead to impoverishment; that those who lose land do not lose livelihoods; and, that those who have lost employment get better opportunities. We are, therefore, giving final shape to a National Policy for Rehabilitation and Resettlement for all those displaced by major projects.'
What about the people who are displaced due to the prevailing scourge of global terrorism? What about a National Policy for Rehabilitation and Resettlement for all those displaced by Islamic terrorism perpetrating in the state of Jammu & Kashmir? What about such a policy, Mr Prime Minister?
It is time that the Prime Minister's Office stops organising farcical round table conferences and working groups that do not produce any results. Those have been a total waste of time. It is a facade that the PMO creates to divert the attention and drag its feet.
It is about time that the PMO gets serious about Kashmir and implements initiatives and policies that protect the fundamental rights of its Kashmiri Hindu citizens in Jammu & Kashmir. It should seriously, with sincerity of purpose, look into the political, economic and social demands of these citizens who are the last bastion of hope within the valley.
These Kashmiri Hindus, refugees within their own state, need representation in the legislative bodies of the state so that their issues are properly represented in the corridors of power. It is first time since 1947 that there is no representation of Kashmiri Hindus in the state cabinet. Don't they deserve representation? Since these Kashmiri Hindus have lost their primary source of livelihood, they need to be provided with soft industrial loans and employment packages. They need proper secure environs where they can breathe freely without the fear of gun.
It should not come to a pass where these very Indian citizens, who day in and day out breath their Indian identity with pride, lose their last bit of hope from the Indian government and end up taking extreme measures.
I am afraid to say that if it did come to that, then those extreme measures will have serious long-term adverse consequences for the nation of India.
So, Mr Prime Minister: Are you listening? Would you take the lead, please?
HAPPY 60th to all the readers!
Looking forward to even happier 70th!
6 ways to find the PERFECT job
Every professional dreams of landing that perfect job where the roles and responsibilities are in alignment with an individual's career aspirations and interests.
By starting early, planning intelligently, and making good use of your broad-based skills, especially those related to research, analysis and communication, it shouldn't be too hard to meet the challenges of choosing a career and be successful in the job search process.
Here are some tips on how to go about the process:
Do some research
During the job hunt, the first thing you want to do is research a particular industry to get an idea as to what type of job search will be most effective. Targeting your efforts and job search approach is an important first step for all job seekers.
For instance, if the retail industry interests you, you should arm yourself with information like what skills and education are required for a job in the industry and how employers like to receive resumes and applications will give you an edge in your search. This kind of information can be obtained from the career section of any company's website or by observing the recruitment advertisements in the daily newspapers.
Prepare a professional resume and cover letter
Be honest but present your accomplishments in the most positive way in your resume. Do highlight your most recent accomplishments and qualifications that you may have gained. Make sure that the key skills that prospective employers are seeking are clearly highlighted.
If you don't have any experience in the prospective field that does not mean that you don't have the skills to do the job. Avoid redundant details like hobbies and personal interests unless they are directly linked to the job applied for.
Most employers prefer to receive resumes either by fax or email. Customise your resume along with a clear cover letter, outlining your interest in the field and that particular company. It is always worth mentioning in your cover letter that you would like the opportunity to come down for a one-on-one interaction. Meeting in person is a very effective way to ensure that you are remembered, and thus improves your chances of being hired.
Keep your eyes and ears open
Closely follow both the advertised and unadvertised job postings. Keep an eye on job supplements like Times Ascent, Power Jobs etc and employment journals and websites like Naukri.com, Timesjobs.com. Monster.com etc. Explore the unadvertised job market as well.
Keep searching jobs through friends and contacts before they are posted. Tap into the alumni of your institution who may be working in leading organisations.
Remember, your network determines your net-worth, so talk to as many people as possible who are in the jobs that you would like to be in, as these discussions often lead to valuable job leads and contacts.
Work with a recruiter or job consultant
Using a specialised recruiter can ease the pressure and help you target your efforts to only the best opportunities. Recruitment consultants would often be willing to help you for a fee.
Give your consultant as much information as possible like your background, experience and career aspirations. Are you interested in a large or a small company, are you open to relocation etc. A skilled consultant can help you find a good job faster and also open doors to new opportunities.
Consider project work or internships
In any career, the best way to establish yourself is to gain some experience. Seek out training, do some project-based work and find a company that will be interested in that project. Most employers will respect your efforts, and you'll also gain confidence in your abilities.
Apply for an internship in the same way you would apply for a job, send a cover letter and resume and clearly mention that you are looking at an internship.
Blow your own horn
You also need to learn the art of self-promotion. Start writing for various trade magazines/ websites etc and mention that in your resume. Join clubs and take an active interest in a variety of activities. More often than not, it's the active and visible professionals who get the maximum opportunities from prospective employers.
If you have worked on some interesting projects in your career, put a small portfolio together. Treat every project as a portfolio piece and use it to showcase your knowledge and exposure.
Research, knowledge, skills and a focused job search approach will increase your success rate and give you a headstart in your career. Best of luck for finding that 'perfect job'!
6 ways to be a great boss
If you can't stand your boss and dislike your job because of it, you are just a small part of a large community who feels the same. But what if you have recently moved into the role of a teamleader, boss or people manager yourself?
While the 'perfect boss' is a utopian concept, here is a quick checklist that will save you the heartburn of dealing with attrition and unhappy employees.
Always meet your people with a great smile
A smile can make a lot of difference. Always be cheerful and energetic and spread the attitude within your team or organisation. It drives great results. A smile and a warm handshake can wear off the stress that most employees go through, not to mention that it adds to your desirability factor at work. Also, smiling is contagious, and most people will find it easy to forgive you even if you happen to be a bit demanding on occasions.
Catch people doing things right
People make mistakes and sometimes they can repeat them, sometimes doing irreparable damage. But, have patience and let them grow. When they do things right, find them out and tell them it's a valuable contribution thay have made. Every interaction with your colleagues in the office is either a deposit or a withdrawal. As important as the Big Picture is, it will mean little if the boss shows little value for his team members' performance on a regular basis.
Appreciate generously
There is nothing more encouraging than appreciation for the smallest of difference one makes. For eg, when you enter the office after struggling hard with the traffic jam and the office looks clean or different, appreciate the person behind the effort and make him/ her "feel" how important the effort is to the organisation. Send your team emails, create a section where people can give compliments, etc. Positive feedback helps in building long-lasting habits. If you take certain positive behaviour for granted, you will be wasting time in reinforcing them later.
Be ready to say "I am sorry'"
If you erupt in a meeting, criticise a colleague's work or make ill-timed comments that you regret, how do you bounce back? Apologise immediately to the targeted person and to everyone around. Don't offer a long justification about the work pressure or a possible misunderstanding like most bosses do. Just say "I should not have reacted that way" and "I am sorry". This will show that you are professional and reflects positively on your character. It takes years to build up a reputation, and only seconds to destroy it. No matter what, don't snap or your people will think of you as a 'reactive boss'.
Help people prepare their goals and create a checklist
Be clear in communicating the desired goals from an individual in a team or the team as a whole. You should know your people, their strengths and opportunity areas. Team your people in a way where everyone learns and compliments each other's strengths.
A good manager not only coaches an employee to develop a skill but also helps in conditioning it as a behavior. In simple words, become a mentor, ie, a wise and trusted counselor/ teacher/ trainer, who can act as a catalyst for growth and nurture potential and talent. Building teams is not a one-time effort but an everyday process. Good managers involve, engage and inspire their teams on a daily basis.
Stay sharp
Read industry publications, reports and magazines and be aware of market trends. Your knowledge will reflect when you communicate with your team and they will look to you for advice and information. They will also talk positively about you with other members of the team. There is nothing better than third party publicity as it establishes you as a thought leader within your team.
Happy Birthday India!
A rickshaw puller coasts past a commemorative banner at the Red Fort, New Delhi, ahead of special celebrations for India's 60 years of Independence.
Is this Aamir's look in Ghajini?
Aamir Khan has always been secretive about his movies, and his looks in upcoming films. But this time, he may not be as lucky!
Reader Anu mailed us a picture of the actor, taken when the star was in Bangalore for the shooting of his new film (which is as yet unnamed), a remake of the Tamil hit Ghajini.
Apparently, this is Aamir's look in the film.
He also has a bald look in this film, a first for him.
The film will be directed by 33-year-old A R Murugadoss, who has quite a few Tamil hits to his credit.
5 ways your money can make you rich
Most of us believe that income and wealth are the same; we often loosely say that somebody is rich because s/he has an income of so much per year. That isn't strictly true. 'Rich' is about wealth, and income may have nothing to do with it.
For instance, if you have a high income but spend it all, you might have a high-spending lifestyle, but clearly your wealth won't grow.
Instead, you grow rich by making your money work harder and smarter for you.
First, count your money
Do you know how much money you have? I mean, really know; not vague ideas and notions but know how much you have, more or less on your fingertip?
Hopeful entrepreneurs approaching venture capitalists for funds to fuel their business dreams are advised to get their "elevator pitch" down pat. This means that they ought to be able to "sell" their business proposition within the 2 or 3 minutes that a typical elevator ride takes. To make a convincing elevator pitch, it's obvious you must know the pitch known as well as the back of your hand.
Similarly, before you can set your money to make more money for you, you must first know how much you have - and in what form. Sounds like common sense, right? But, do you really know?
Most of us don't. If you do, well, you are an important step ahead.
Activate lazy money
To take just one example, how much money is lying fallow in your bank savings account, for example? Earning the lowest of interest rates going? And, why? Chances are it's a result of simple inertia.
Anything more than a few months of your monthly expenses lying in savings accounts is lazy money. Repositioning any excess money even into a no-brainer such as bank FDs will smartly perk up your returns.
Moving up the ladder of higher returns
Having activated lazy money, you are then ready to tackle the adrenalin-rush question: How to get higher returns from your money?
Instead of bank FDs, for example, you could opt for equally safe but higher return options, such as post office savings schemes, saving certificates, and government securities and or fixed maturity plans of mutual funds.
The real leap in your quest for higher returns, however, comes from a move into the world of "risky" investments: equity and property, to name two popular avenues.
Typically, such a leap to equity would at least double your returns, say from 7 per cent to 19 per cent per year. (The Indian stock market returned about 19 per cent per year in price appreciation plus dividends when smoothed over the last 12-15 years.) Not impressed?
Well consider this: Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million) invested at 7 per cent will grow to less than Rs 20 lakh (Rs 2 million) in 10 years.
The same modest Rs 10 lakh invested at 19 per cent morphs into an unbelievably larger Rs 55 lakh (Rs 5.5 million)-plus - almost triple the amount from "safe" investments.
Sure, equity and property investments come with some risks that bank FDs, savings scheme, etc. don't.
But there are ways to keep such risks within your comfort zone. What is important to understand is that the road to making more money with your money passes, inevitably, through investing in higher earning avenues, typically, shares and equity mutual funds and property.
Tax smarts
In squaring the circle of higher returns, you also need to grasp some simple tax-smarts.
The big-bucks tax break currently available is from investing in shares or equity mutual funds, and holding these for at least 12 months. Any gains you make after selling them after 12 months qualifies as long term capital gains and are completely tax free.
This is perfect because the big returns from equity in any case come from price appreciation over a period of 3 to 5 years. When you hold shares for such a period, you don't have to pay any tax at all, irrespective of your capital gains, whether it's a few lakh or a few crore!
While investment in property isn't quite as tax-efficient but significant tax breaks are available for buying a residential house, for example.
Review, review, review
Finally, once a year, review all the first four steps, and do so year after year. You would be pleasantly surprised by the results.
Simple enough, no? But, then, simplicity is the inherent beauty of all fundamental principles.
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