IPL..why not Indian Pride League?

IPL – Indian Premier League. Why to term that only as Indian Paisa/Pagal/Political/Power League and not as Indian Pride or Indian Prestige League??

Some politicians and businessmen miss the bus to earn some money and some political fight started all drama. Yes BCCI, IPL, all Franchisee should be probed for all Income-tax and other legal issues but when BCCI was away from corruption? Power and money are most of the time, sides of same coin..And quite often many people do misuse power..BCCI does that quite often from many years. Whats new in that?

Do inquiry, identify facts, prosecute and punish people but why to blame or scrap IPL? If PM, President or any CEO does any corruption, we do not stop forming Govts or shut organizations. Satyam is still running..You do not close all Baba’s Ashrams when someone caught in sex scam.

Change IPL and BCCI people, take some power from them, keep strict watch..!! Increase transparency and make them accountable. Use IPL money for some charity, donate to some good NGOs, promote and sponsor other sports and events.

The same people who criticize IPL, would be happy to speak and talk about other foreign leagues and events.. Tehelka portrays IPL as Money, Politics, Sex and Drug league.. Well every sports has money involved in it. Backham, Tiger Woods, Schumacher or Cobe Bryant does earn millions. Cricket is linked with Politics in India for many years without IPL. Sex and Drugs, well it does exist without IPL in clubs, discotheques and rave parties. Even with many Swamis  and in their Ashrams also….And most of these things do not make much difference to 1000 Mn common people..

Yes, IPL can be pride league.

• I feel proud (and every Indian should be) when IPL is compared with English or Spanish Premier League or with NBA/NHL. If Mumbai Indians is valued more than Manchester United, Ferrari or LA Lakers, every Indian should feel pride and joy and why not?

• At international level, IPL might become highlight of India and Indian Sports. People is US may not care anything other than NBA/NHL but all cricket playing countries and their people do care about IPL.

• If Google, Visa, Mastercard, Vodafone, Airtel, Aircel, LG, Samsung, Videocon, Idea, HDFC, Coke, Pepsi, Hero-Honda, DLF, Karbonn or Maxx mobiles spent crores behind IPL, I am not worried. I see mobile and DTH rates going down, I see it live on Youtube in Office, so why should I complain? Eventually someone would pay to companies but that’s anyway there without IPL.

• I do not mind Lalit Modi, Ambani, Mallaya, SRK and Preity earning millions if 200 odd domestic players,  thousands of common people related to IPL franchisee,  governing body and teams, local state cricket federations and many more other people earn bread and butter. IPL is employer of thousand of people in one or the other way..

• 300-400 Mn people across the world get entertainment for 50-60 days. They have every right to have it…and a dream to play in IPL and earning money for hundreds of upcoming local players..Not sure why Maharashtra govt did not taxed them and earn 500 Crore Rs but many state govt did earn so much money, thanks to IPL.

Discrimination in blood..!!

Its been long time since I was writing this but never got chance to convert draft into final version..So here it is..

Yes everyone in this world has discrimination in their blood..!! It may sounds bad but true and no one can ever do anything about it..!! It was, is and will going to stay..We would make our self fool by saying that it does not exist or will go away..!!

With 33% reservation for women, all talk about reservation, racism and discrimination has come up..I’m little confused but yes it has to be implemented. Some people are talking about equality. Was it anytime in any society?

We all know about cast based reservation and seats for Women in school and colleges (in railway reservation, theater ticket bookings, tax, bus and train also..yes, they need it in Bus/Trains because of other reasons..)  but why in theater and railway booking?

- Some Societies/Apts wont allow even other people to stay..!! Forget religion but other people from same religion due to may be non-veg, may be other cultural influence..!! I used to stay in Apt in Mumbai where non-veg was not allowed..!! And there many more places where this does exist..!!

- I do see many people having strong negative views and criticizing and discriminating people following and believing in some other God or Guru and try to prove they and their things are right…

- Why do we have different hotel rates or entry fee for Taj-Mahal for foreign and local tourists? Keep is 20-30 Rs so local poor can afford but keep same for foreign tourists also..

- Knowingly or unknowingly we do categories people by money or their financial status and their education/salary..!! That is social status..!! Doctors have much more social status than IIM or IIT graduate in the society..Person gets status by their financial status/power and not by their work/attitude/nature/honesty/dedication and sometimes education.

- Don’t we know people who do support people from their own states/language at highest levels in the Organizations..!! He/She may not be deserving all the time..!! I have seen it and experienced it and I am sure many would have..

- When we say all govt employees do not work, are lazy and are corrupted, I am sorry but that is also biased view towards them…Everyone working in private/public companies are not “Dhoodh ke dhule”..!!

- Every other day I see people prefer to sit next to some other people in Train and avoid to sit next/near some other people..!!! We all know that..and we do that as well..

We all know and see many more such examples in daily life. Then why the whole hungama if we have some more inequality/discrimination?? Women reservation might turn out well in future..!! Women can be quite often more powerful than Men..After all it is different than those old fashioned caste/religion based reservations..!!

MNIK-Loud & Clear

“My Name is Khan”, the most awaited film of the year has released and created lot of buzz and drama for different reasons..!! Some people liked it, some didn’t, some said ok and some like Mr.P Chidambaram are waiting for a print with English subtitles..!!

I liked the movie not because I am big fan of SRK and Kajol or its made by Karan Johar. I like SRK, overall acting, direction, cinematography, presentation and  music in the movie.. but what I like most about movie is its message.. The movie conveys loud and clear message “There are only good people and bad people in the world”..”Good people do good work and bad people do bad work”..That’s it..No other difference.

Right from start again and again periodically, movie keeps on saying same thing…And yes I do strongly believe in it..

As in the movie, a poor, illiterate women staying in Mumbai Chawl to a lady staying in remote village in Georgia state in US (I do not need to mention color of that lady..), good people can be anywhere, across countries, regions, casts, cultures, languages, religions, colors…And a doctor, rich person sitting in Los Angeles or a school students in San Francisco can be a bad people..

A person does not become good or bad because he/she belongs to one cast, color, region, language or religion..Person’s work should convey goodness or badness. nothing else.. !!

Across the globe, you will find good and bad people. Good people will do good work and bad people will do bad work..Its up to people what they want to choose and do..People should try to judge other people by work and not by any general opinion about them by their caste, religion, culture, language, color or country..

Earlier movies on similar topic (even by same filmmaker) showing Protagonist choosing wrong way to take revenge while in this movie, the Protagonist going through everything but still sticking to what he thinks/does..

Movies have high appeal in India. I feel when filmmaker chooses to make movie which conveys some social message then the message should be positive and should guide/teach people to go in good positive way. Else make simple entertaining or senseless movies. That’s where MNIK scores just like any other Raju Hirani movie or many Raj Kapoor movies..I did not find anything great in movies like “Rang De Basanti”. 5 Young people get frustrated through system and kill their parents, minister and in the end getting killed..Same way “NewYork” or “Kurbaan” were on similar lines..spreading negative thought and message..

Another common issue is fight between regions, cultures, languages. I remember “Gadar” movie scene. Saying Jindabad to others region, language or culture (unless you have valid and strong reason for not doing so..) does not degrade your region/culture/language.. Have your views but do not be rude or aggressive in it and do not spread negative thoughts/ideas which can disrupt social peace or harmony..

Of course Jai Gujarat and Jai Hind comes first but I do not mind in saying Jai Punjab, Jai Bengal, Jai Bihar, Jai Tamilnadu, Jai Maharashtra or Jai US, Jai Germany…:!!

Uff Mumbai..

Almost from last 3 Yrs, every now and then Mumbai is becoming “Akhada”.

Thackeray’s believe they got Mumbai in Dowry..!! and they and Marathi Manoos should have first rights to Mumbai..Up to some extent yes Marathi manoos should have little more rights in Mumbai (in few jobs) because it belongs to Maharashtra. But at the same time Mumbai is financial and Entertainment capital not only because of Marathis.

Gujaratis, Marwadis, Parsis, South Indians, North Indians all have contributed and without Mumbai being Land of Opportunities this fight would never exist. If Sr. Thackeray would have been successful in kicking out Gujaratis, South Indians, Marwadis and Parsis in 60′s, Mumbai would not have been where it is right now…!!

People inflow into Mumbai should be restricted – Yes but by creating opportunities in other cities and states and not by violence. Even Marathis should be restricted to come to Mumbai.

Marathis believe Mumbai belongs to them and it is their primary right to do job and stay in Mumbai and that’s why some of them in fact many of them do support Senas..Others believe, Mumbai belongs to all and yes it does belong to all. Any part of India belongs to all Indians..

- Primary issue is Survival. Marathi Manoos do have direct survival fight with UP/Biharis but not much with Gujaratis, South Indians, Parsis and Marwadis..!!

- Secondary issue is accept, appreciate and acknowledge local culture and language. North Indians are little aggressive and rude in nature and may not work with language or culture of Marathis. And that has made even Marathis little aggressive and rude towards them.

The issue exists in South India, Assam and even in Bangalore up to some extent..but even media and all parties want Mumbai, after all UP, Bihar, Maharashtra controls 1/3 of Indian Population.!!

Both the parties should let go something.

- Marathis should accept and appreciate the fact that Mumbai does belong to all and start fight (without violence..!!) for survival and be ok if someone does not say “Jai Shivaji Maharaj” with you.

- People going to Mumbai from other parts (Specially from UP/Bihar) should accept, appreciate and acknowledge local language and culture and say “Jai Shivaji Maharaj” when you get chance. (Does not mean do not celebrate and be proud of your state, language and culture..)

Poor SRK. Not sure weather Pakistan players should play in IPL but anyone has and should have full freedom to express views and ideas. But yes with little carefulness. Matters can be resolved by meeting/discussion (not always) but never by fight unless someone gives up.

Mumbai is dying or its almost dead in terms of Infrastructure and Traffic. A person earning 25K/month cant survive with family in Mumbai if they stay in rented place..(of course they cant buy one even in far suburban..) Travel 2-3 hours in a day..Uff. Do not know why the hell bunch of people coming daily….

If my grandfather/father would not have decided to move from Mumbai to Ahmedabad in 1960, they might have been asked to move out few years later..who knows!! But “Jo Hua Achcha Hua”…”Achche logo ke saath hamesha Achcha hi hota hai”..!!

And in the end, Stop violence. Do verbal or written protest and fight but do not become violent..
“Some mamus need to get well soon” and then “All would be well”…

World’s best marketed product – United States of America

I have been visiting different places in US for sometime now. More often then not, I find places less exciting/lively/attractive or I should say some disappointing compare to what I have heard, read or seen.

Visit to a palace in North Carolina costs $60 and it is marketed as biggest home in US. Surely Mysore Palace and few palaces in Rajasthan are bigger, better and provide variety then that NC Biltmore Palace.

Terrance of Air India building in Mumbai would give same feeling/view as Empire State Building or Bandra-Worli sea link would provide better view and excitement then Brooklyn Bridge.

Dalal Street/BSE/South Mumbai is more live/active/exciting then Wall Street/Chase/AIG Towers. Just that Wall Street has more taller towers then Dalal Street or South Mumbai. Even dead site of World Trade Center attracts lot of visitors, may be because of some other reason as well!!! Statue of Liberty is just ok nothing out of the world.

The biggest disappointment comes in White House!! Surely Rashatrapati Bhavan, its surroundings are sure shot far better then White House. “Prateeksha”, “Jalsa” or “Mannat” are more exciting then White House.

Every US State has bulk of State Parks (with some fees) with small water falls or gardens or some natural beauty but India and many more countries have much more to offer. Indian States in Northeast, Goa, Kerala and even Gujarat has many places which can provide more variety/excitement.

I have passed through Times Square a dozen times now and fail to understand the magic which that place has created which attracts tourists across the globe!! Of course nice place and atmosphere but not the attraction for which you travel to other country or wonder in -10 C Temperature..!! Just nice lights, ads, flashes and marquees which can be replicated anywhere in the world. A Parle’s (Thums-up, Limca, Gold-Spot, Maaza) 70 yrs history and facts would be as interesting and nice as Coke museum and its 100 yr old history.

Certainly Niagara Falls is amazing and so as some beaches, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Orlando and few other places (that’s what I have been hearing, yet to see some of the places). but certainly many or most of the places in the country are over hyped. I am sure many such places would lead to disappointment of many people..but the hype is still in the air.

So what’s the deal? It’s just pure great marketing of the Country and its places. Not sure by whom and how. May be Govt, few smart people/businessmen,  supported by its economy and power but surely spread by common people. And these places do generate lot of money and employment. Empire State or Biltmore Palace are registered companies which employ 500+ people.

Human mentality and willingness to spend is a factor. Local US people do spend money same as foreign tourists on visiting these places. Indians or any other visitors/tourists will be happy to pay $50-$60 for Niagara Falls or $20-$30 for empire state/Statue of Liberty but same people will not even spend 20-30 Rs (which is about $2-$3 by considering ratio of 10. I always feel 1$ = 10 Rs is the ratio which a person should apply while comparing both the currencies) to visit a place back in India or their hometown and they will criticize Govt for commercialization and taking money from people.

Not only India but many Latin American, Asian or even African countries may/should have many more variety/excitement/attraction but surely I feel US is and will remain best marketed product of the World.

Strange Industry – Movies

Indian movies industry – “bollywood” is really one off/strange place with only/less then 5% success ratio. Out of roughly 200 movies release in a year, only 10 or even less earns good profit and still movie budget and star prices always go up..!!!  But even more movies are made and with bigger/better budget and stars..and recession had very little impact on it..market is bigger now compare to what is was 10 year back and has grown to US, UK and Australia but still its loss..hardly someone buys CD/DVD or Cassette nowadays…

When a movie makes loss of 10 Crore who pays for that? Producer or Distributor or Financier or Common people? And its every year phenomena from last at least 30 Yrs..Sometimes a producer goes into trouble but still makes movies and as time goes everything is back on track..!! Where is the loss? Who has lost and if no one has lost money then who has paid or it is just rumor or speculations that really there is some big loss every year..!!! or common people are indirectly paying for it without knowing it??? And if overall there is loss and no profit then why many Corporates have come into that? I do not think Ambani will jump in any loss making business..

Not sure about Hollywood or other places but it might be same..

may be common people are paying in some or the other way which is not visible or known clearly..!!!

Selfish, greedy, rude and irresponsible Wall Street

Its year-end and just like each year Wall Street is ready to pay big bonuses, may be biggest amount till date. According to some survey and analysis, top 4 (Goldman Sachs, JPMC, Morgan Stanley and Merril Lynch) may pay more then $30 Bn in bonuses..!!! With AIG, Citi, BofA and some other smaller firms, it will surely cross $50 Bn, the amount using which you can buy TCS and Infosys both !!!

This is the same Wall Street which paid almost half of this amount last year also after receiving large amount from US Govt and Fed reserve for their survival..Wall Street firms collapse and recover quickly because of dynamic nature and have access to entire world’s money but what about others?

Recession started because of greedy Wall Street. These firms are so big and influential. World financial market is interconnected. Europe and many Asian financial giants are closely linked with Wall Street and so as Wall Street firms with Europe and Asian financial market. World BFSI firms are among the largest employers and biggest consumer of IT, retail, auto, manufacture, pharma, infrastructure and service products. In fact they drive the world..!!! so when they dived down, they took everyone with them…

Govt or World can not afford bankruptcy beyond Lehman and Bear Stearns and so little strong firms are forced to buy other ones like ML, Wachovia or WaMu.. and saved AIG or Citi..Competing with Wall Street firms, European and few Asian BFSI firms became greedy and so Wall Street fall impacted them severely which in turn impacted Europe and almost world..

US unemployment rate is highest in 40 yrs. Most of the developed countries are still in recession. Even after little improvement in economy, jobs are still going and there is visible pain…Now when Wall Street firms got some money, they will pay bonuses but what about other people, other industries and other countries?

If Govt is helpless then what about common people? Wall Street should pay minimal bonus. Should try to save more jobs and help other industries and economies instead of paying Billion dollar bonuses..

What do you call good Organization?

Its always been point of discussion that what kind of organization should be called as “Good” Organization?

Recently I was debatting it with friends.

Organization can be described in many ways..Some pays good money, some provides good growth, some gives stability, some provides good learning, some have good working environment and some provides good work-life balance..

This point is more of self choice instead of debate..People have different priorities and risk appetite and of course for most of people they do change according to time and need of their own.

And sometime, your need are forced to change based on environment. In recession, you forget money, learning and growth and focus on survival. After family, one will focus on balanced life. During bachelor life, one look for risk, growth and learning..A person, project or location can change definition of Good organization…and some people keeps running behind money for whole life and they never find/feel anything good in life….!!

Each Organization has some good things in it. And based on individual’s need an Organization becomes Good Organization or bad one and it keeps changing..

Bottom line, be happy, satisfy and enjoy wherever you are..Periodically review your situation/need and take decision based on that..:-)))

Election vs IPL. Modi and Modi !!

What is more exciting and interesting? Elections or IPL? Ofcourse Elections..

It comes once in 5 yrs  (No guarantee though) and also it affects each and every individual (Yes I really think it affects..unlike many people who think BJP or Congress all same..). IPL will come every year and apart from IPL, all the time some Cricket is going on..Still I like to see it..even test matches..!!

Indian Media has really got reasons to party in this recession time…Elections, IPL and Economic downturn….No surprise that both the Modi’s are in news all the time..

Both Modis really have some extra power in them…One is fighting with opposition, own partymen, Media, NGOs, Govt of India, Supreme Court from more then 7 yrs now while other is fighting with his state cricket board, colleagues, rival Indian Cricket league, Sponsers and has taken entire season to SA in no time..!!! Fighting spirit and how to survive is really to learn from them..

Modis, You love them or hate them but you cant ignore them for sure..

Just like IPL, this time no one knows who will win Elections..Everyone has chance of winning..and every tom, dick and harry wants to lead country of billion people..Thats Democracy.

A day after the weekend

Its always sick feeling on manic Monday (Got this word from Udayan Mukhrjee from CNBC)..after 2 days of weekend. And specially when you have good weekend and you do not have anything to look forward to in office on Monday (which is the case most of the time..same old routine and according me this Agile and Scrum has really made life very much same and predictable all the day !!)

After this weekend’s experience I was just thinking how much few of these street side vendors are earning during the weekend is unpredictable !! Most of them are very busy on weekends as people keep coming till almost 12 in the night.. I am ok with that food and enjoy it without being worried about which kind of food, grains, oil, vegetable and water they use…I guess most of the Indians are used to that food and so even unhygenic things works well with health. But again some caution and frequency of such food becomes very important…I sometimes wonder why just for so called and somewhat idiot word Status, people always go to big star hotels and pay almost 10-20 times more for same (at times worse) food…really poor people !!! )))

I just wonder how all these multiplex theatres and malls are going to survive…From last 2-3 times, I can see only 10-15% people in multiplex theatre ( On saturday afternoon shows and that also movies with popular star cast !!)..Thats one of the reason why they forcefully give some popcorn and pepsi coupens with movie ticket !! Same thing goes for malls..Most of the people ( I guess 90%) go to shopping malls just to enjoy AC in hot days, to see new brands, timepass and to enjoy food/movie and not for shopping..:-))))) These markets will saturate in next few months and hopefully we might get movie ticket for inexpensive rates !! ( I always try to use word inexpensive and not cheap courtesy Mr. Ramadorai. I heard him replying to one of the reporter around 3 yrs back in Air India office that Indian IT operations are inexpensive and not cheap !!! Though the meaning is almost same it more about which word you use !!)…