Showing posts with label news weekly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news weekly. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Cops in the dock

Father says police killed his son, but cops rubbish charge

The image of Kerala police took a beating after reports surfaced of the death of Sampath, 26, in police custody on March 29. He was the main accused in the sensational Puthoor Sheela murder case. She was killed on March 22, 2010, in the day light at her house in Palakkad and her mother Karthiyayani (70) was also brutally attacked.

The police claimed that Sampath developed chest pain and was taken to Palakkad District Hospital where he was declared dead. However, people are not willing to believe the police story. They accused the cops of killing him. The cops rubbished the charge. However, the High Court has asked the police to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigatoin (CBI).

Based on a petition filed by Sampath’s brother and father, the court doubts the police version. Besides, Justice V Ramkumar feels that the cops are hiding the role played by then Superintendent of Police P. Vijaya Sakhare in this case. The Crime Branch of police had taken over the Sheela murder case days after the incident.

Justice Ramkumar expressed shock at lock ups being converted into killing chambers. He said he could not believe that 14 officers accused in the Sampath case are absconding and could not be arrested. He ordered the immediate handing of the related documents to the CBI Kochi Unit superintendent.

The counsel of Sampath’s family members alleged that since Sheela was the sister of a top IAS official in Tourism Department, a high-level interference resulted in the custodial death.

The court pointed out that according to post-mortem report there were 63 injuries on Sampath’s body. It is alleged that reports showed that electric shock was applied on the victim during interrogation. After this incident the credibility of the state police force, which is supposed to be the protector of people’s life and properties, is at stake.

But Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan lost no time in stating that the judge has taken a biased view of the case while handing over the case to the CBI. Kerala Home Ministry boasts of police reforms and of late many police stations have been converted into Janamaithri (people friendly) police stations.

But with such cases coming to the fore, people will stop trusting the police force, according to activists. They said the police still used third-degree methods to divulge information from alleged culprits. Several custodial deaths during the Left Democratic Front (LDF) have tarnished the image of the police in the state.

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Thursday, June 17, 2010

Partying like its 1986

Time machine and time travel make for good pun at pop culture references because viewed through the prism of hindsight of those visiting it, the past is always sort of funny. But that’s where “Hot Tub Time Machine” misses the point packing itself with ‘insert-name-of-new-millennium-technology-here’ jokes and assuming every time someone says iPod or online in the 80s, it is funny. I am a sucker for all things 80s and though some of the pop culture references (for example, when one of the friends can’t believe they are back in time and asks a random woman “What colour is Michael Jackson?”) are rather nice and nostalgic, most of it is not.

Story? Four friends – Adam, Jacob, Nick and Lou are bored with their adult lives. One fine Saturday, while partying in a hot tub, they are transported to the 1980s (1986 to be precise) and get a second shot reliving their heydays. The script is sort of “Wild Hogs” meets “Back To The Future” and a lot of the situations have been there and done that feel. And that’s not because of the time travel déjà vu of our characters. The acting doesn’t add much either (John Cusack is average and the others barely fill in the blanks) and you are left with thinking about comedies back in the 80s which were way cooler. There are the standard 80s references (from “Miami Vice” to “The Karate Kid” to Michael Jackson) but that is the fun point only if you are really nostalgic about 80s pop culture. Otherwise, you can choose not to take a dip into this hot tub.
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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010

IAF’s familiarity in operating Mirage and MiG 29 aircraft

The IAF, thus, wants a true multirole force-multiplier which will be equally adept at defending airspace, establishing air superiority and attacking surface-based enemy targets. Active electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars are a must for all contenders and India wants complete, unconditional transfer of technology (ToT) of the total package. The six contenders in the fray are two single-engine fighters - JAS 39 Gripen (S50 million) and the F-16 IN Super Viper (S70 million) and four twin-engine aircraft – Block-II F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet (upwards of S60 million), Rafale (S80 million), Eurofighter Typhoon (S 115 million) and MiG 35 ($60 million).

All these planes are heavy on the use of composites, come with the latest avionics and digital fly-by-wire, net-centric warfare capability and latest electronic warfare systems. All of them have the HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick) and Helmet Mounted Cueing system and reduced Radar Cross Section signatures.


While the 4th generation Super Viper and the Super Hornet represent older airframes, they come with proven AESA radars. But the US usually has restrictions on modifications and stringent end-user agreement. The US is also unlikely to part with the AESA radar software codes. Apart from these factors, Pakistan has been operating F-16s, albeit not technologically as advanced as the Super Viper, for close to two decades now. Furthermore, American penchant for imposing sanctions translates into its unreliability as a steady supplier of spares. While the Viper is a proven air-to-air combat platform, aviation experts are sceptical of the Super Hornet’s dogfighting capabilities though they concede it’s a very potent strike aircraft.

The Swedish Gripen, in spite of a modern airframe and advanced datalinks, loses out as it is more in the class of LCA with only seven hardpoints. Another thing that goes against Gripen is the heavy use of American equipment which once again have end-user clause and the supply factor loaded against it. The AESA radars of Gripen and the most expensive aircraft in the fray, Eurofighter Typhoon, are under development. The Eurofighter has all the goodies that the IAF is looking for but its price might push India’s budget to the brink.

The Rafale is an agile French 4.5 generation platform with an integrated electronic survival system named SPECTRA which features a software-based virtual stealth technology. IAF has had good experience with Dassault Mirage and the famously independent French foreign policy will ensure no problems about supply of spares and future upgrades.

Based on the MiG-29M OTV, MiG-35 is equipped with advanced avionic suite comprising of a modern glass cockpit designed with three 6x8 inch flat-panel LCDs and full HOTAS controls, digital map, helmet-mounted sight. The latest Zhuk AE AESA radar is mounted on this aircraft. This radar was developed with modular approach, enabling upgrading existing Zhuk ME/MSE radars, into the phased array equipped MFE/MSFE standard, deployed in MiG-29/Su-27 platforms.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Friday, June 11, 2010

EARTH BEAT

As the world observed the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, TSI’s Anu Gulmohar took stock of the steps taken by the Indian government, companies and citizens towards preservation of Gaia

Like the blue-skinned Na’vis in the Hollywood blockbuster “Avatar”, India has its own tribe of nature loving people, the Dongria Kondh, whose plight too is akin to the Na’vis. Where the Na’vis world was threatened by the desire of humans to mine unobtanium, the Dongria Kondh tribal community has to fight off the company planning on mining for bauxite on their sacred mountain. Mining on the Niyamgiri mountain in Orissa is expected to cause 36 streams and two rivers to dry up, and the dust and pollution from the mining will destroy people’s key food source – mango, pineapple, orange and other fruit plantations. This reclusive and traditional tribe, with a population of nearly 8000, is hoping that if the fictional story of the Na’vis could move so many people around the world, their very real impending tragedy would stir enough people to avert the devastation of their environment. As India joined with the world in celebrating the 40th Earth Day, one wonders if our nation is indeed working towards becoming greener and more ecologically conscious, or if this was just another day with little meaning and infinite brouhaha.

“There are two Indias – one India is the tribals (sic), the peasants, who are way ahead of western conservation. And then you have the rich India, which is only wanting to predate, which has given up the sensibility of the Indian ecological culture and has not adopted the sensibility of the global environmental consciousness either. So, they want to be global in money grab but not global in environmental responsibility. The problem for India’s environment today is the corporations and the rich. And they have a negative consciousness; not just a zero, but a negative consciousness,” says Vandana Shiva, an environmental activist and author. “Environmental clearances are given, with a bribe. For example, why should Vedanta have gotten environmental clearance either for mining bauxite in Niyamgiri or for creating what they call a Vedanta University in the prime agricultural land between Puri and Konark in Orissa? Both clearances are totally fraudulent!” exclaims Shiva.

The picture today isn’t all that bleak though, where several praiseworthy steps are being taken by the Indian government and the corporate houses. For instance, India’s first eco-friendly sports complex, Thyagaraj Stadium, was inaugurated on April 2 in New Delhi. Built with the latest in green building technology and eco-friendly material, it also makes use of solar energy for lighting purposes and will conserve water through water recycling and a rainwater harvesting system in a bid to minimise carbon footprint. Then on April 14, a bio-diesel train was launched in Bilimora, Gujarat, which will use a blend of 10 per cent bio-diesel, and cause a reduction in the emission of carbon-dioxide to a large extent. “I really applaud Jairam Ramesh on the moratorium on the Bt Brinjal plant, which is very significant for bio-diversity and public health,” adds Vandana Shiva. Another initiative is the Green India Mission, which is a part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change. On April 13, Environment & Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh announced that the Mission would aim for the afforestation of six million hectares and expand forest cover from 23 per cent to 33 per cent of India’s territory. But the formulation of the Mission is awaited, as the Minister aims to make the process participative through public consultation. Environmentalists are not overly impressed by the Green India Mission though. Vinuta Gopal of Greenpeace India says, “This has been a plan that India has articulated many times over. It is not new. The Green Mission is merely a new avatar.”

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Monday, June 07, 2010

Faisal Shah, the topper of this year’s civil services examinations

Although he is willing to be posted anywhere in the country, Faisal largely wants to serve common people in his home state. “I am ready to be posted anywhere in the country but I want to serve Kashmiri people in the capacity of an IAS officer. I know my people have been suffering for the last 20 years. They need officers who will listen to them. I will try to shrink the communication gap between the people and the administration. Here in Kashmir, authorities usually do not listen to common people. Due to this bureaucratic apathy, they are suffering a lot. I will try to change this very tendency.”

Merely a couple of days after the killing of his father, Faisal appeared for the MBBS entrance…and cracked it! He did his MBBS from Srinagar’s Sher-i-Kashmir Medical College. “But I was not satisfied with that achievement. My aim was to become either an IAS or an IPS officer. I think that I could not have helped the masses of my conflict-ridden state just as a doctor,” he says.


Faisal was 19 when his father, Ghulam Rasool Shah, a school teacher, was killed by militants in 2002 at his ancestral home in Sogam village, more than 90 km away from Srinagar. “Will you believe that many things that my father taught me in 7th grade came handy in these exams,” asks a visibly elated Faisal. “My father was a visionary. Whatever I achieved today is because of his guidance. I feel sad that today he is not around,” he adds.

Faisal’s younger brother Shah Nawaz is also a doctor and his younger sister Talat Shah is a library assistant. Faisal, who is a great fan of noted poet Dr Allama Iqbal, knows many languages including Urdu, Persian and Arabic. He had taken up Urdu and Public Administration as subjects for the IAS examinations. “Urdu is my passion. I love this language,” he says. The topper believes that his achievement would inspire many youngsters studying in Urdu-medium schools. “I have proven that students of Urdu-medium schools too have great potential and can get through any competitive examination.”

It is a common perception in Kashmir that Muslims of the state are being discriminated against, especially in the civil services examination, so as to keep them away from the administration. But Faisal’s success disproves the opinion. “No one is discriminated against. It is a wrong perception. We ourselves are responsible for not participating in such examinations with full preparedness,” says the civil services topper.

Besides Faisal, three other Kashmiri boys— Showkat Ahmed Parray, a resident of Wizar village in Baramulla district, Mir Umair from Badgam district and Raees Bhat, a resident of Anantnag district, have passed the civil services examinations this year.

The last Kashmiri to have qualified for the IAS was Asghar Hassan Samoon who achieved the feat some 16 years ago. In 1981, Khursheed Ganai from Kashmir stood second in the civil services exam — the highest rank for anybody from J&K till Faisal’s results came. Currently, Ganai is the principal secretary to chief minister Omar Abdullah.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Tuesday, April 06, 2010

The minority measure mystery

Onkareshwar Pandey finds the Rangnath Commission’s rejection of linguistic minorities illogical and absurd

The issue of reservation for minorities, especially Muslims, has created an uproar after the recent observation of the Supreme Court on Muslim reservation in Andhra Pradesh. Things have been turbulent ever since the Rangnath Mishra Commission submitted its report in May, 2007. In this melee, while the issue of religious minorities has come to gather spotlight, the issue of the linguistic minorities has been completely sidelined. The fact is even the Justice Rangnath Mishra panel had grossly ignored the issue of linguistic minorities in its report by saying, “In our opinion the concept of ‘backwardness’ is to be confined in its application to religious minorities as it has no relevance for the linguistic minorities.”

The commission is of the view that “The latter may be facing some other problems like discrimination and denial of constitutional rights in practice but no linguistic group may be regarded as backward by itself.” Asha Das, member secretary of the Commission, defends this view while talking to TSI. She said, “The term linguistic minority can determine the backwardness of a language and not backwardness of its people.” Therefore it further says, “We are not recommending any criterion for identifying ‘socially and economically backward classes’ among the linguistic minorities.”

“This is ridiculous,” says Uday Sinha, a senior journalist, who was in a panel of speakers in a seminar recently held in Delhi to discuss the commission’s report. “The development of any community is directly linked to the language. The reason of backwardness is linguistic and not religious. Religion does not define the economic status of the community,” he said. If a person is familiar with a developed language, he is exposed to the best education which is available in our country. An English-speaking person will have more opportunities than a person who is speaking Bhojpuri or Braj Bhasha, Mundari or Oraon. The literature and the technological education are imported only in English and not in other languages. Why to speak of Mundari or Bhojpuri, the same can be seen even with a person who knows only Hindi and does not know English.

“The Rangnath Mishra Commission forgot its limitations in its move to give blind support to provide reservations to religious minorities. This is unfortunate,” commented Prakash Javdekar, spokesperson, BJP, while talking to TSI on the issue. .

“This is absolutely wrong and far away from the ground realities,” says Neeraj Shekhar, MP from Baliya,UP. “The commission should have taken a view that the linguistic minorities are much more important to ascertain backwardness than the religious minorities as they comprise all religions, castes and creeds. For example, the Bhojpuri-speaking community of UP and Bihar are the most backward. This is why they are compelled to migrate to the various metro cities in search of jobs and livelihoods,” Neeraj added. “The Rangnath Commission’s report is not the Bible, Quran or Geeta which can be accepted as it is. The report is incomplete and needs to be reconsidered and discussed,” said Sanjay Nirupam, Congress MP from Mumbai.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Delhi’s Doomsday

Scalding vignettes of an insidious world

“LSD” isn’t the kind of movie you can get high on. It’s dark, dank and disturbing: it socks you in the solar plexus and leaves you writhing. Co-writer and director Dibakar Banerjee imbues the film with the unique sensibility that yielded “Khosla Ka Ghosla” and “Oye Lucky Lucky Oye”, and then adds a few more quirky layers to it to come up with this daring doomsday portrait of a deviant Delhi.

With a bunch of unknown actors full of spunk and a digital camera that knows no repose, Banerjee has crafted a true breakthrough – a Bollywood film that isn’t Bollywood and is more than just a film. It’s a scary slice-of-life cinematic confessional.

Laced with black humour, “LSD” is a searing critique of a society that has been overrun by the stench of sleaze, of a culture trapped in a stinking cesspool infested with perverse voyeurs, media marauders and honour killers.

Banerjee takes all his cues and characters from real life. An aspiring filmmaker falls in love with the lead actress of his diploma film only to end up dead in the most shocking circumstances. An aimless drifter cons a convenience store salesgirl into a passionate roll on the floor and captures the act on a surveillance camera to make a fast buck.

A ‘sting’ cameraman and a wannabe music video dancer hook up to expose a lewd and lascivious pop singer. But the operation goes awry. The world they live in is far from perfect, where love, sex and dhoka are but different sides of the same cube.

Particularly striking is the manner in which the three strands of the narrative are seamlessly intertwined. Its rhythm is unsettling, but the movie surely rewards the effort you make to grasp its ways of ‘seeing’.
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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Friday, March 26, 2010

No wonder in this land

TSI Five-O: The ‘imagination’ dimension is missing

Looking at “Alice in Wonderland”, I was hoping that director Tim Burton had struck a fine balance between Alice’s adventures and his animation cum reel life characters. But Burton blows his chance of adding a delicious and dark layer to Lewis Carroll’s timeless characters in true Tim Burton style and barring a couple of bright spots in the art direction, it is a run of the mill fantasy flick.

Alice returns to the wonderland she visited in her childhood as a 19-year-old. Her journey unfolds well with reasonably decent special effects and animation. The story is stereotypically on the ‘fight-for-the -throne’ lines and highlights the conflict between the two queens; red and white. While all your favourite characters - the Cheshire cat, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Mad Hatter and the like are all in there, their roles never acquire the strange random qualities that Carroll’s original characters had.

The dumbing down makes Alice’s journey through this dream as a heroine in wonderland unimaginative and at points, even banal. Just look at Johnny Depp as Mad Hatter, the most Burtonesque element of them all in the film. Depp’s performance is fairly average and looking at it all only makes you wish that you never lived next door to this Alice.
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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Saturday, March 20, 2010

15 ships=all cars in the world!

The shipping industry pollutes dramatically more than other modes of transport. It’s in dire need of revival

For the ‘green obsessed’, it isn’t tough to spot pirate ships in global waters. As far as they are concerned, every ship fits the bill. Shipping has been a massive enabler to global trade, but its contribution to global warming is so alarming beyond imagination.

The severity of the damage caused by shipping came to global attention with the Exxon Valdez oil spill that occurred in the Prince William Sound, Alaska, in 1989. The resulting pollution killed over 400,000 seabirds, about 1,000 sea otters and uncounted large numbers of fish. Today, shipping is responsible for approximately 3-4% of global emissions. It emits around 18-30% of total Nitrogen Oxide and 9% Sulphur Oxide in the air and water. Pollution by shipping affects not only the climate but also bio-diversity, food and human health. The industry burns over 300 million tonnes of bunker fuel every year. The 15 biggest ships of the world create as much SO pollution as all cars of the world combined. A large ship (diesel-powered engine, travelling for around 280 days a year) can generate roughly 5,200 tonnes of Sulphur Oxide. There are around 90,000 cargo ships that travel the oceans. Studies have also revealed that one giant container ship emits almost the same amount of cancerous chemicals as 50 million cars.

US academic research shows that cargo ships indirectly claim over 60,000 lives and cost over $330 billion annually. The Danish Government’s environmental agency adds that the shipping emissions cost them around $5 billion every year and claimed lives of about 1,000 people. Add to that passenger ships. A passenger cruise generates about 210,000 gallons of black water, 1,000,000 gallons of gray water, 37,000 gallons of oily bilge water and more than eight tonnes of solid waste in a week. Over one in ten children are suffering from asthma in the world’s major port cities. Shipping is not regulated and taxed as needed; similar to aviation, since it transports about 90% of all world’s traded goods. Governments in different countries have initiated programs though without major success.

For example, UK proposed a cap-and-trade to encourage companies to follow environment protection guidelines. The World Port Climate Change Declaration conference also emphasised on the importance of greening the shipping industry. Seatrade Middle East Maritime unveiled new innovations in green shipping in 2008. Even companies like Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines are installing smokeless gas-turbine engines or biofuel engines. Many have undertaken research to develop engines to fuel environment friendly CNG and LNG vehicles to avoid harmful emissions like NO2 and SO2. While regulation is imperative, focusing on a few other areas will greatly help.

Primarily, the oil that the ships use is of a very low grade. Technological innovations (use of hydrodynamics in propellers, replacing fossil fuel by renewable sources, and taking care of speed reduction and fleet maintenance) can reduce emissions. But the scale of these initiatives has to be far grander than it is today.
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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Darwin couldn’t be more proud...

... and Airbus couldn’t be more loud. What awaits the winged giant?

Darwin’s ‘Survival of the fittest’ theory wouldn’t prove too wrong in the current times, when citadels are tumbling everywhere; and a positive earning reportage is so welcome! So there’s another ‘fit’ $10.3 billion-worth parent of Airbus, EADS, that made all proud by registering a profit of $1.99 billion for FY2008 after a miserable ‘supply-led’ $580 billion loss in 2007 (thanks to the A380 project that nearly broke its back twice!). Yes, good news for now; but, the question remains – will it continue the good work when it comes to making profits?

Louis Gallois, CEO, EADS, seems upbeat about the future of the changed organisational structure. He states, “We made significant headway in reshaping the company. The group has regained stability in 2008 and is proving to be resilient in the face of the turbulent global economic environment.” But isn’t slowdown a drag on the aircraft manufacturing giant? Well, here the man minces no words as he asserts, “2009 will be a very challenging year for our industry!” Indeed so, the demand side of the market has wilted temporarily, with IATA (Report titled: lengthy recession is now main challenge) forecasting an air passenger traffic contraction of 3.6%, a cargo contraction of 5%, and a revenue fall of 6% in 2009 as compared to 2008. And worst, the industry is predicted to burn another mighty $2.5 billion in losses for 2009!

The giant today is finding itself in the thick of the turmoil in the sector, with many aviators finding it tough to finance their purchase of an aircraft priced anywhere between $65-500 million. And order backlogs? They stink! “At the end of 2008, Airbus had 3715 aircrafts backlog,” states Craig Fraser, Analyst, Fitch Ratings. Yes, efforts like a tie-ups with the French Coface or German Hermes to finance upto 50% of aircraft value for its clients are on... but to what extent can it clear the huge backlog (not adding the new orders received in 2009 standing at 777 aircraft orders, valued at a mighty $100 billion at list prices) remains questionable... For now though, gallop-on, Gallois; as far as you can ride (fly?).
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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Believe it or not, the world will witness the resurgence of a new era of racism than the end of it...

In another case, though Obama succeeded to replace the CIA’s director by the former Chief of Staff, Leon Panetta, he had to face huge criticism from press, polity and public. Adding salt to the woes, the relation between the President and New York Police Department (NYPD) is exemplified by the recent cartoon controversy in New York Post. In it, two NYPD policemen were shown shooting a chimpanzee with a caption that read, ‘they’ll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill.’This agitated Black civil rights activists. These issues raised questions over the extent of control Obama has on the intelligence and security establishments of US. One has to remember that US is nothing much without its key intelligence agencies and the world’s most sophisticated armed forces. Amidst all these, the arrest of two Tennessee guys- Daniel Cowart and Paul Schlesselmen who were planning to kill 102 African-American children and then assassinate Obama vindicates the resurgence of white racists and reminds the assassination of another American President John F. Kennedy. It’s better to hope less than to expect that Obama can completely end racism. He can at best abolish it from English language. If he does, it would just be the word and not its essence that would be wiped from earth and especially from the US. Poor Obama.
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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Friday, March 05, 2010

When Kat ran

When Katrina Kaif does a movie with Ranbir Kapoor, there are rumours. When she doesn’t do a movie with him, the rumours are still there! Well, the latest one being that Katrina is avoiding Ranbir as she walked out of Imtiaz Ali’s film which also starred Ranbir Kapoor. However, the boring truth is that she had no dates for Imtiaz’s film due to her prior commitments for Zoya Akhtar’s next, which stars Hrithik Roshan. Well, hope Kat is able to maintain her ignore-it-all stance!

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Wednesday, March 03, 2010

‘saving taxes’

Another interesting and credible strategy resorted to by the fund houses during the season is that they try to attract investors by declaring dividend on existing schemes. This year too the process has started with UTI Mutual Fund declaring a dividend of 15 per cent on its tax-saving plan, Bharti AXA Tax Advantage Fund paying 30 per cent, ICICI Prudential Tax Plan announcing 40 per cent, and JP Morgan Tax Advantage Fund declaring 15 per cent. This strategy in particular, is quite effective for AMCs, believe notable experts like Dhirendra Kumar, CEO, Value Research, as the dividend payments made right before the last quarter of a financial year reduce investors’ burden by a good margin, which would mean a lot to the investor and quite matches the marketer’s point of view.

But then, the strategy of luring customers at the last moment comes with a problem that surfaces due to a sudden rush. The biggest trouble that hits the investors at this very moment is the fact that most of the time, agents making the sales pitch only convey the fact that by investing in a particular instrument, the investor will qualify for a deduction under section 80(C). At best, they tell the investor a few more details like past performance and expected returns. But many a time, neither do they reveal the complete details of the product, nor does the investor feel the need to ask, which he expectably would have done otherwise if he had purchased the instrument some other time. As a result, investors land up investing in instruments that charge them relatively higher. According to an agent of Birla Sunlife Insurance, “Most of the clients we meet during the last quarter seem eager to park their money in some tax-saving instrument. They really don’t bother as to where their money is actually going in (relatively speaking), what are the charges and how much does it suit to their requirements. Their only parameter is whether this investment qualifies under Section 80(C) or not! This is the reason because of which certain agents simply suggest those schemes to the investor, which would entail the agent earning a better commission. This ultimately means higher charges for the investor.” Clearly, all this is pure conjecture when seen in a general context. With as many as 40 mutual fund schemes and numerous insurance schemes available in the country at present, there is no doubt the competition is bound to intensify in the last quarter when investors open up their wallets. But does it mean that the people genuinely interested in tax planning should suffer for those who opt for dumping?

Certainly not, but in reality, it happens. After exhausting a bigger portion of their spending budget, service providers in a way reduce their activities in the succeeding quarters. The same marketers who were focussed on providing the customers with their best schemes suddenly disappear and the ball falls in the investors’ court to chase the agents. The same is the case with Ruchika, a working woman, who in the month of May wanted to make her investments in a planned manner with smaller amounts spread throughout the year, rather than in one go at the end. “But I couldn’t get guidance that was satisfactory. Finally, I just called up one AMC and parked all my money with their best scheme,” says Ruchika.

There are thousands like Ruchika, who are waiting for someone to actually guide and help them the understanding the benefits of tax planning. But however hard this might sound to the “consumers’ beware” coterie, it’s perhaps not the responsibility of fund houses or insurance firms to educate the consumer – but of the regulatory authorities, which have failed so far to ensure a unified message across platforms focussed on tax saving.
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Baltic Beach Hotel

Treat yourself to a short and sweet white sand getaway. For those desiring a classy but relaxed beach holiday, Baltic Beach Hotel is the ideal Baltic getaway. Enjoy some romantic candle-lit meals with your special someone and gaze at the sparkling stars while you sip on some exquisite old wine. If you feel up to it, then indulge in a sinful massage. Stay at the Baltic Beach Hotel is a memorable experience in itself when you have luxury, tradition and unparalleled hospitality on a platter.

The View: An oasis of peace and pleasure on the very sea shore – “Baltic Beach Hotel” – the leading hotel of the “Baltic Hotel Group” chain is located within only couple of minutes walk from the central street of Jurmala. The emerald sea waters and the wonderful scenery take your breath away. Don’t be surprised if the morning breeze greets you with the fresh aroma of pine trees.

Archi Type: Well known for its aesthetic sense and artistic streak, Baltic Beach Hotel, has the plushest interiors. The hotel has subtle pastel-coloured interiors and fine craftsmanship has been displayed in all corners of the hotel. Ranging from exquisite wooden furnishings to select decoration pieces, the hotel has been tastefully done up.

Bon appétit: The resort has the Caviar Club, which offers delicious European cuisine. Combining classical Italian cuisine with contemporary cooking, ‘il sole’, the Mediterranean restaurant offers traditional, as well as popular Italian dishes and true masterpieces of the culinary art. To begin your day with a soothing cup of tea, the Lobby Bar offers the most relaxing ambience. Kiss the sun goodbye while sipping on some champagne and lighting the cigar at the Kalian Bar.

Around the corner: Baltic Beach Hotel is perfectly situated in Jurmala in such a way that a walk alongside the beautiful Lielupe River and a safari in the Kemeri National Park is a must.

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Saturday, February 27, 2010

Shall we change?

The first symptom of a not-so-great nation is its ungratefulness

For once, it was incredible to see the Indian media playing a stupendous role in reliving the memories of the Kargil War; a pyrrhic war that India should not have had in the very first place. And once again, it was vindicated as to why the Indian Army is one of the finest institutions of the country. So while the debates of the worst kind over the commemoration of the Kargil War continued – from which party’s victory it was to which party’s loss – for a change, it was great to see that for two consecutive days, i.e. July 25-26, 2009, many significant channels in the television media didn’t bother too much about other issues and allocated a reasonable amount of their energy and prime time for the martyr soldiers and their families.

Sadly for the family members of the martyrs, the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces (read: The President of India) failed to keep her date with India’s national heroes of Kargil War. Although we do believe the same was due to unavoidable circumstances, one also has to realise that the occasion means something that is significantly historic; and absence in the same is surely expected to raise hackles of critics and supporters alike. So while Pratibha Patil remained conspicuous by her absence in Drass where the commemoration was being held, the media took it to the people at large all across the nation.

Amongst all the ceremonies, what has been conveniently forgotten in between – or should we say, relegated to the bottom cabinets – is the loss of numerous lives in the summer of ’99. Those lives were not just valuable, it is a fact that many of those who died were also young officers and jawans freshly out of military academies who willingly gave up their lives for a nation and for the reason that without that victory, the strategic paradigm of India and perhaps even the map of India could have changed forever.

Certainly, the Pakistani intrusion was not an impulsive one and it was clearly aimed at cutting off NH-1 and thus Siachen. A prolonged war instead of a quick victory would have spread the war beyond Kargil to other fronts in Rajasthan and Punjab. The situation then could have gone completely out of control and with the threat of a nuclear war looming large, India would have been forced by international community to negotiate with a recalcitrant and cunning Pakistan. The quick and decisive victory was thus critical and came at a price.
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Friday, February 26, 2010

V. M. PANDIT, former senior C.B.I. official,

“The problem comes when the CEO or his family members move out of their homes...”

B&E: Is there a security threat to CEOs and their families today?

V. M. Pandit (VMP): Definitely there is this fear today. I have worked for the CBI for 26 years, but since 1993, I have been completely involved with corporate investigations and my experience tells me that there is a big threat to CEOs and their families, as organised crime has grown and kidnapping has become a big business today. The general scenario of crime in India is that law and order is not doing enough to keep everyone protected from harm, not even the privileged class. And the fact that these criminals can boast about political connections, they get great shelter in all aspects. So they can commit such crimes, and these crimes are generally committed by organised bodies. Thee criminals keep a tab on the rich people of the community and those who are vulnerable to kidnapping, including the CEOs and their families.

B&E: When are the chances of getting kidnapped the highest?

VMP: The problem comes when the CEO or his family members move out of their homes, i.e. in transit. That is the term which makes them vulnerable - in transit. On their part, all CEOs also cannot afford escorts and bodyguards for all in their family. Moreover, their family members follow fixed routes, to school, to office, to the market. They frequent the same restaurant, the same club, and that too at fixed hours. So the criminals select a particular target after conducting a brief survey – the survey can be anything, right from who is the courier boy who most frequently delivers parcels at a particular location to who the security guards are, their shifts, etc etc. In the process of knowing more, they come to know which market and clubs they flock to and which schools or colleges their offsprings are linked to. So that is the first step of any kidnapping activity.


B&E: Do they often harm the asset?

VMP: If their ransom demands are not being met, then you definitely are calling for trouble. If the ransom demand has come over the phone, then be sure that their ‘gang members’ are always keeping a track of how you proceed with the execution of the payment. They would know if you are defying their instructions. The moment they find out that you have approached the police, their ransom demand increases. The party also shows little care for the victim, if you try to find their hideout; so in that case, they will most likely do away with the kidnapped individual.

B&E: How critical is counselling for the victim’s family?

VMP: For sure the victim’s family needs to be counselled. What answers they should give when phone calls come, how to monitor those calls, how to react to threats, and how to ensure that the right moves are taken, is what they have to be taught...

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

Read these article :-



Outlook Magazine money editor quits
Don't trust the Indian Media!
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