Times View - Grandiose flight of fancy
Counter View - Space is the future
-The Times of India, January 31, 2012
Counter View - Space is the future
-The Times of India, January 31, 2012
31 Jan 2012
Eye will survive
Now we don't have to ask: Who put out the lights?
Eye will survive
-The Times of India, January 31, 2012
Journal of a person who, thanks to technology, undergoes the various steps that one typically faces while medically treating an eye towards better vision.
Eye will survive
-The Times of India, January 31, 2012
Journal of a person who, thanks to technology, undergoes the various steps that one typically faces while medically treating an eye towards better vision.
"there's a thorny path to tread first and even though it's not as rough as some other procedures, it might help to know what's in store for you"
Make Performance The Pitch
India must be driven by excellence and focussed on results
Make Performance The Pitch
-The Times of India, January 31, 2012
Has the newer version of cricket - T20 - impacted the technique and commitment of players?
OR.. have the players been fatigued by the profit-seeking BCCI?
OR.. were the Australians too good to beat?
Make Performance The Pitch
-The Times of India, January 31, 2012
Has the newer version of cricket - T20 - impacted the technique and commitment of players?
OR.. have the players been fatigued by the profit-seeking BCCI?
OR.. were the Australians too good to beat?
More Than Popcorn
Awards show big changes in how films fare
More Than Popcorn
-The Times of India, January 31, 2012
The 57th Idea Filmfare Awards painted a picture of a new, evolved Bollywood - one that is more closer to reality than it has been in the past.
The Filmfare had much to celebrate, says the editor, with three new remarkable stars - those three vital characteristics of Bollywood that have taken center-stage off late, and aided in its transition.
More Than Popcorn
-The Times of India, January 31, 2012
The 57th Idea Filmfare Awards painted a picture of a new, evolved Bollywood - one that is more closer to reality than it has been in the past.
The Filmfare had much to celebrate, says the editor, with three new remarkable stars - those three vital characteristics of Bollywood that have taken center-stage off late, and aided in its transition.
Few Fresh Breezes
There's strong anti-incumbency in states, but is opposition taking advantage?
Few Fresh Breezes
-The Times of India, January 31, 2012
Whereas most parties in power in the the five states where elections are in motion have invited an anti-incumbent atmosphere on to the state, the opposition parties have resorted to age-old traditions of caste-and-religion politics to move the voters. The talk on infrastructure, health, education and corruption is sidelined to make way for quota-based politics.
Few Fresh Breezes
-The Times of India, January 31, 2012
Whereas most parties in power in the the five states where elections are in motion have invited an anti-incumbent atmosphere on to the state, the opposition parties have resorted to age-old traditions of caste-and-religion politics to move the voters. The talk on infrastructure, health, education and corruption is sidelined to make way for quota-based politics.
An action plan for Sri Lanka
"The outline of a sustainable development system to empower villagers."
This article has been excerpted from an address A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, delivered at the launch of the National Action Plan, and the declaration of 2012 as the year for a trilingual Sri Lanka, on January 21. The Hindu : Opinion / Lead : An action plan for Sri Lanka
We are all destined to realise happiness, dignity of life, freedom and creativity - but only if nations become noble. One need of a noble nation is the creation of an environment of inclusive development where everyone gets an opportunity to build capacity and generate income based on competencies. For this, the evolution of sustainable systems which act as "enablers" and bring inclusive growth and integrated development is needed.
The article then goes on to discuss the mission of Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) through the creation of three connectivities - physical, electronic, and knowledge leading to economic connectivity, for 15,000 villages of Sri Lanka.
The article then goes on to discuss the mission of Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) through the creation of three connectivities - physical, electronic, and knowledge leading to economic connectivity, for 15,000 villages of Sri Lanka.
It's a hazy view from the government's trenches
"The ‘age row' reflects historical developments in civil-military relations."
The current impasse reflects certain related but distinct trends. The military sees itself as superior to society in terms of values that it inculcates and espouses. In reality, it is no longer detached from politics, including manipulating processes. On the civilian side, there are equally disconcerting trends, including a lack of appreciation of the needs of the military. The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : It's a hazy view from the government's trenches
The solution suggested by military opinion, particularly retirees who can speak more openly than those in uniform, is to reduce civilian control by the introduction of a Joint Chiefs of Staff, who would be the de-facto commander-in-chief of the military with an impact on the role of the Ministry of Defence in civil-military relations.
The solution suggested by military opinion, particularly retirees who can speak more openly than those in uniform, is to reduce civilian control by the introduction of a Joint Chiefs of Staff, who would be the de-facto commander-in-chief of the military with an impact on the role of the Ministry of Defence in civil-military relations.
A good starting point for improving civil-military relationship will be to carefully review the material that deals with civil-military relations in the staff colleges, and use case studies, including the present ‘age row' and from abroad, to shape principles and processes of civil-military relations appropriate for us.
Delhi, we have a problem
"Did the Antrix-Devas agreement on S-band spectrum go as far as it did because many individuals in the know chose not to intervene?"
The fashion in which valuable S-band spectrum was allocated to a single private company for an extended period of time, and the way in which it was sought to be implemented were highly questionable. Whether, and to what extent, higher authorities such as the Space Commission and even the Union Cabinet were informed of the deal and its implications is murky and unclear. The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : Delhi, we have a problem
A preliminary estimate prepared by the CAG last year had suggested that the spectrum allotted to Devas could have been worth as much as Rs.2 lakh crore. According to ISRO, the amount payable by Devas over a 12-year period was just $300 million (~ Rs.1,500 crore).
It is difficult to see how the Space Commission could have been entirely in the dark about the deal with Devas. While individual accountability can and should be fixed, it is obvious that there was a system-wide malfunction.
The question is how many individuals up and down the government and Space hierarchy knew what was happening but chose not to intervene.
A preliminary estimate prepared by the CAG last year had suggested that the spectrum allotted to Devas could have been worth as much as Rs.2 lakh crore. According to ISRO, the amount payable by Devas over a 12-year period was just $300 million (~ Rs.1,500 crore).
It is difficult to see how the Space Commission could have been entirely in the dark about the deal with Devas. While individual accountability can and should be fixed, it is obvious that there was a system-wide malfunction.
The question is how many individuals up and down the government and Space hierarchy knew what was happening but chose not to intervene.
The state of our museums
"The pathetic state of the National Museum, the premier institution in the country, wherein about a quarter of the galleries closed for more than three years, hardly 7.5 per cent of its two lakh collections exhibited, and the art acquisition committee defunct for the past 16 years, is of serious concern."
The visitor experience that the state-run museums offer is far from enriching and museum practices they adopt are way below global standards. The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : The state of our museums: "The first step towards a turnaround is to improve the 'quality, range and relevance' of the exhibits. Simultaneously, programmes to involve and engage people have to be put in place."
The visitor experience that the state-run museums offer is far from enriching and museum practices they adopt are way below global standards. The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : The state of our museums: "The first step towards a turnaround is to improve the 'quality, range and relevance' of the exhibits. Simultaneously, programmes to involve and engage people have to be put in place."
"Given the urgency, capacity-building should be radically stepped up and India's flagship museums placed in the hands of trained professionals selected from among the best in the world rather than babus and bureaucrats."
Watch this space
The saga of the scandalous deal that would have given a private company, Devas Multimedia, control over a large chunk of valuable S-band spectrum has not ended. If the agreement signed with Antrix Corporation in 2005, the marketing wing of the ISRO, had been allowed to stand, Devas could have made a killing.
Four former officials, including G. Madhavan Nair who was ISRO chairman when the deal was signed, were barred from holding any government position. The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : Watch this space: Is it the government's considered view that these four officials were solely responsible for the deal? What about the Space Commission, which has a key oversight role over the space programme? Were the members of the Commission as blissfully unaware of the deal as is made out?
"The Antrix-Devas deal has raised fundamental questions about decision-making and oversight processes in the space programme. The government must come clean on what actually transpired by placing in the public domain the reports prepared by Dr. Suresh, the Chaturvedi-Narasimha committee and the high-level team."
Conserve water the way Mizos do
We all know, we should do our little bit to conserve water. But, how serious are we..
Can we be half as dedicated as our fellow-Mizos are?
Check out their dedication...
One Drop at a time: Conserve water the way Mizos do
At the crossroads of mediaphobia
"With ‘paid news' and other ills making the media vulnerable to state and corporate control, social networking sites are a countervailing force for ordinary citizens. Hence, the drive to regulate them."
The shifting sands of Kapil Sibal's reasons for objecting to certain matter carried on social media are interesting. Apparently, he first found a page maligning Sonia Gandhi and told Facebook this was unacceptable. He then wrote a letter and held meetings with Google and Facebook. Later he said, he objected to pornographic images. Then at a press conference he was worried about things that hurt religious sentiments. The Hindu : Opinion / Lead : At the crossroads of mediaphobia.
The role of journalists as purveyors of public opinion is of great relevance in the present context because the internet enables the world to break through the filter of journalism and reach individuals directly.
The Minister is obviously worried about social networking sites because he cannot control them to his advantage. The Delhi High Court's approach — of appealing to the corporate social responsibility of the companies to creatively craft uniquely Indian secular solutions to the problem rather than harping at their non-existent legal liability — must be appreciated.
The role of journalists as purveyors of public opinion is of great relevance in the present context because the internet enables the world to break through the filter of journalism and reach individuals directly.
The Minister is obviously worried about social networking sites because he cannot control them to his advantage. The Delhi High Court's approach — of appealing to the corporate social responsibility of the companies to creatively craft uniquely Indian secular solutions to the problem rather than harping at their non-existent legal liability — must be appreciated.
What can Sachin do?
In a situation where the team is doing so badly, maybe one should ask what out master blaster Sachin Tendulkar is doing in the team...
Now ask what Sachin can do for the team
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