Animal Rights

Think Seriously on 26-Dec-2017:

A recent piece of news says, “The plastic jar was removed from the head of a stray dog, which has got stuck, in Bhubaneswar Odisha. A group of Animal Rights Activists, an NGO and a highly placed minister of the Central Govt. were working overtime for 3 days for this.

Well, it’s nice to see so many, so powerful sympathizers for the rights, comforts and life of a stray dog. Can we say the same with conviction about the right, life (forget the comfort) of a human being? Think twice! Unfortunately, I think “NO”. Daily, we hear thousands including young children die of hunger, mal-nutrition, disease, neglect, exploitation, poverty, etc. Is anybody there to care?

We do have the Human Rights Commission (HRC), but it looks like they are concerned about the wrong people (as anybody’s guess). We do have rules, laws regarding, right to life, food, education, dignity etc., but who cares. I don’t say animals don’t have lives, what I emphasise is the priority, which means a human life is more valuable than that of a stray dog. And, we have to spend our scarce resources, knowledge, effort, power, etc., according to the priority. What you say?

Jio Review - 3

Points to Ponder on 17-Nov-2017: Jio Part-3: RJIL Shortcomings

This part deals with the reasons of diminishing the popularity of Jio:

1. The most important aspect is the speed. Fortunately the availability of signal is good and the up-time is also good. But what it lacks is speed. In open and network covered areas it is good, but inside homes / multi storied apartments it is less than even the past FUP speed (earlier 256 Kbps, now 64 Kbps). They used to specify the speed of 30 Mbps (as I remember) when they started in 2016. Now they don’t even specify- they just say “4G speed”. There is no specific speed as 4G speed- varies between 15-50 Mbps, depending on the operator, technology, country, etc.

2. The software and Apps are not of quality- it looks like they were written by novices- many are not compatible with different UI (user interface, like MIUI). Additionally, they are not updated in real time.

3. The competitors have narrowed the gap between Jio rates and theirs. This are the reasons the new subscribers have gone down in number. Jio has recently (9th Nov) come up with a new promotional offer because of this.

4. Finally, I have a serious doubt that the data counter is not accurate- it shows excess- of course, I have no means to check.

These are my personal observations, after about 2 years of use.

Jio Review - 2

Points to Ponder on 9-Nov-2017: Jio Part-2: RJIL Shortcomings

The most important parameter to success is the speed of 4G internet. At the beginning the RJIL promised 30 Mbps (=3.75 MBps file transfer rate), which nobody ever got. Of course nobody believed it (it’s a tall order in India). But we expected at least 8 Mbps (=1 MBps file transfer rate). But unfortunately, at most places it hovers around only 128 Kbps (=16 KBps file transfer rate), which is a breach of contract. Personally, I have experienced the so called high speed in some open areas and signal strength boosted areas. Inside multi-storied buildings it is very poor. Now they don’t even mention the speed, they call it “High Speed 4G/LTE.

The next important parameter is HW / SW / Support Services. While the HW seems to be OK, the SW / Apps are falling short in quality. Most of the Apps don’t work in non-RJIL 4G phones (Message- “This App is not compatible for your device” or “This App is not available in your Country”), even though they claim so. Support software design is very poor- MyJio App doesn’t give the full / updated status. It is also not real time based.

The bottom line is the quality of service, which is lacking in several fronts. This will decide the future of Jio, after the cost of service equalises across the service providers.

Jio Review - 1

Thoughts for 05-Nov-2017: Jio Tricks (Part-1) RJIL USP

The period for one payment cycle is only 28 days instead of one month. It means there are 13 such cycles in a year instead of 12 – an increase of 8.33%.

The plans are time bound – and not data bound. This means that to retain the service one has to pay regularly – in case of data price you are allowed to use data fully at your own required / convenient rate.

The FUP for data is fixed daily – if you don’t use that in one day it is lost. If the FUP is fixed monthly / cycle-wise, then you can use it for bigger downloads on some days by saving on other days.

The Data Usage / consumption seems to be more than usual – may be the data counter is calibrated on the higher side.

But because of its very low price people have subscribed it.

According to their parlance:

Month means 28 Days

Unlimited Data means 1 GB (or FUP) per Day

Unlimited SMS means 100 per Day

I am an admirer of this Jio scheme of things. So I am giving some constructive remarks so that things may improve. I am afraid I may not remain so because of their so-called 4G speed. (To be continued- Part-2)

Population of India

Think Seriously on 30-Oct-2017: 

Population: Many may know it already, but let me refresh our info about Population. The latest figures are: (0) World- 7.58 Bn, (1) China- 1.40 Bn, (2) India- 1.34 Bn, (3) USA- 325 Mn, (4) Indonesia- 265 Mn, (5) Brazil- 215 Mn, and so on. Our state of Uttar Pradesh has a population of 225 Mn. If it was a separate country, it would be the 5th most populated country in the world. Delhi and NCR population at 22.5 Mn is almost that of Australia at 24.5 Mn. Every year we are adding one Delhi NCR or an Australia to our population. At this rate within 5-8 yrs we will surpass China. What does it imply?

Though, there is some positive signs like a strong young population, more working hands, there is a bigger dark side to it. Like more mouths to feed, more starved / semi-starved jobless people, more stress on resources. Remember we are a poor country- roughly 30% don’t get a square meal a day, another 30% don’t get two square meals a day. Our education and training systems are such that we don’t have good quality / productive white collar / blue collar workers. Moreover, the huge mass is a burden to any public service like, transport, agriculture, housing, education, health, public works, banking and so on. Past experience shows no remedial measures work.

Euthanasia-1

Points to Ponder on 25-Oct-2017: 

Euthanasia: I spoke about it in 2007 during a presentation for the “Administrative reforms in India”. It’s a very touchy subject and all have their different opinions. Today, several Countries practice it. [As of June 2016, human euthanasia is legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Colombia, and Luxembourg. Assisted suicide is legal in Switzerland, Germany, Japan, Canada, and in the US states of Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Vermont, Montana, Washington DC, and California.- Source Google ]. 

I for one support it only for terminally ill patients. The advantages are (1) A person must have the right to lessen his/her bodily sufferings. (2) To make the family/friends free of his/her attention and worries and spending. (3) To make the expensive resources available for other needy patients. 

Now the problem in India is that it is highly likely to be misused / abused by unscrupulous people around. The Govt can make a foolproof system by making (1) A Body comprising of Judiciary, Police, Medical Practitioners, Local Administrations, Investigating Agencies, and the like, who should supervise the execution jointly, and (2) A tough investigative procedure and eligibility condition to adhere to for selecting deserving cases. What you say?

Chinese Goods

Food for Thought on 19-Oct-2017: 

Chinese Goods: Everyone knows China has flooded Indian Market with its goods. We import 5 times worth of goods from china that of we export [ 2016- Import $58.4 Bn, Export $11.8 Bn ]. Now, the question is: How to reduce Import from China? It has several points to explain. (1) Do we really need those imports? (2) Can’t we produce these good in India? (3) How to reduce dependence on china arising out of the national sentiment? Let me give short and simple answers in the following: 

(1) NO, we don’t- but over the years we have become dependent on china for even non critical items, there by jeopardizing our own small time artisans. We must cut down these imports. 

(2) We CAN! But again “At what cost?” Today, the situation is that we lack in infrastructure, and productive labour. Even if we set up units to manufacture, the cost of production would be too high to sustain. China has an advantage: it can produce the same product with a very wide range of quality, starting at very low to very high. [ Example: Say a mobile of $10 quality to $1400 quality ]. Everyone knows iPhones are manufactured in China- Imagine if these were manufactured in the USA- these would cost double or more. 

(3) We must thrive for (a) reduction in Chinese import, and (b) enhancement of our own manufacturing facilities on a long term basis. I know it can’t happen within a few years, but we have to start as soon as possible. Think it over!

Capital Punishment-1

Food for Thought on 15-Oct-2017: 

Capital Punishment: Every time a convict is awarded capital punishment, there happens a hue and cry, as to why this punishment shouldn’t be banned. There are both supporters and criticisers for this capital punishment arguing their points in vain. As I wrote in an earlier article on “Administrative Reforms in Indian Context” (details given below:)  two points are relevant today: 

(1) To end capital punishment in India we need the requisite legislation passed by the Parliament. Shouting in the street or criticizing the Govt won’t do. After a careful contemplation I have come to the conclusion that it must stay, and rather there should be more number of this, because under the present circumstances, there are more crimes which deserve this. 

(2) Having said that, I also suggest that the execution should be as painless as possible, like administrating higher dose of anesthesia to the convict under medical and legal supervision. We must get rid of the age old crude method of hanging by the neck till death. It’s heartening to know that the GoI is thinking in this direction.

Published in Linked-In: Links given below:

V-1= https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140825182838-270568946-administrative-reforms-in-indian-context/; 

V-2= https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/administrative-reforms-indian-context-v-2-himansu-s-mahapatra/

Service Tax

Points to Ponder, on 9-10-2017:

Service Tax: Ever wondered that there are service taxes for only the sake of it and without the service in reality in some cases. Let’s take the examples of Bank Penalty, or Life/General Insurance where there is no Claim. The Bank imposes a penalty for certain conditions not fulfilled by the customer. But is it a service rendered by the Bank? Think over! The Insurance contract is an agreement for the Insurance Company to provide service in case of an emergency or eventuality. So no claim means no services rendered. The GoI should find out where there is a service actually rendered and then tax it. What do you say?

Income Tax - FY & AY

Food for thought on 05-Oct-2017: 

Income Tax Financial Year: Sometimes during 2004-05, I was thinking of some improvements in the IT rules. The first thing that came to me mind was the Financial Year (FY)- which is different than the Calendar Year. Now why don’t we make the FY coincide with the Calendar year, i.e., from 1-Jan to 31-Dec. After 12 years or so the GoI has woken up to this idea and may implement it in 2019. This will simplify many clumsy notations, statements, computer memory space etc. The latest news says that the Govt has put off this to the next year- 2019.

Road Accidents

Stimulation for Faculty of Thinking on 30-Sep-2017: 

Road accidents are one of the biggest losses to human lives. The Govt tackles this by making wearing of Helmets (for two-wheelers)and using Seat Belts (for four-wheelers). Have you ever thought or noticed that these actions CANNOT prevent accidents to happen. Well, they can ONLY help in reducing the injury, damage or loss to life in case there is a mishap. Then why they are enforced? It’s because it’s easy to administer, and the helmet/seat-belt industries are the big beneficiaries. For prevention of accidents, we have several other options, which are never implemented seriously.

The most important action is the strict enforcement of road rules, like overloading, wrong direction, speed limits, etc. The design of roads and turns, etc. is also faulty; they deliberately / inadvertently encourage breaking of road rules. Most of us invariably compare our system with that of USA. If things work nicely there why can’t it here? We have to understand the difference there: very strict implementation by the authority, people are law abiding and willing to comply, moreover the drivers are trained and tested rigorously and then certified (The licensing process). Here, we have none of these in practice and in addition, one can get away with ease when caught.

Taxi Aggregators

Food for Thought for 20-Sep-2017:

In 2003, while working on various Projects, the concept of Radio/Mobile Taxi came to my mind which is very close to the latest concept of “Taxi Aggregators” less the App. I envisaged it with communication through the mobile/cell phone network. Later over the years, when GPS, and faster Internet were ready for use by the mobile Apps, the concept was fine-tuned to the present state.

Consolidation of Service Providers

Ever Thought or Noticed for 14-Sep-2017:

Have you ever noticed that there are about 50 Banks, 44 Mutual Fund AMCs, and 29 Life/ General Insurance Companies in India. Anyone having Rs. 1 Billion (100 Crores) can open a Life Insurance Company, or Rs. 5 Billion (500 Crores) can open a Bank, albeit with Govt permission. Do they all make profits, or provide value for the people? The answer is a big NO!

During the writing of my article (Administrative Reforms in India) in 2007, I mooted the idea of consolidation of these financial entities to clear clutter, improve efficiency and profits for them. The Govt has just woken up last year and started doing that with the Banks starting with SBI. Till 2015 they were granting new Banks, new AMCs etc. Ideally, we should have only 6-8 Insurance companies, 8-12 Banks and 12-16 AMCs for a healthy competition. On the other hand if we see the Telecom service providers, the competition has cut their number to size about 6, which is good enough. 

Budget Hotel

Points to Ponder for 08-Sep-2017:

In 2002, while working on a Hotel Project, the concept of a “Budget Hotel” struck my mind. I worked out certain attributes and characteristics for this concept and put forward in my Project Report. Three years later the Tatas formed a separate company for Budget Hotels in 2004 and started their Budget Hotel in the name of “Ginger Hotels” in 2005 which was the first in India. 

Cars with Power & Comfort

Words of Experience for 01-Sep-2017:

During my childhood (in the sixties), I was wondering if we could combine the comfort of a car and the power of a Jeep. There used to be one “Station Wagon” model that time, but it was just a jeep with doors- not much comfort. Later, over the years (in the eighties in India), came the concept of SUV (Sports & Utility Vehicles). Now we have several of models to choose from.