Anger clouds our thinking. So, does excitement, and emotion.
Terrorists occupied the Taj for 60 hours. And the Taj occupied our media for more than a week. It was such a good opportunity to bash up our politicians. Artists, Journalists, Political analysts, Movie-makers, retired bureaucrats..almost everyone had a say and almost everyone of them had to say that the main culprit was the politician.
The Home minister, who had no clue as to what (or who) was coming, was unwillingly made the scapegoat. And we dutifully sympathised with, prayed for and thanked our NSG, Army, Police and whoever was there at the operation, for saving our lives and recapturing Taj. What could have been an icing on the cake was to hoist an Indian Flag at the Taj.
Do we really think our whole national security was in the hands of just 1 minister ?
Or do we believe that if our RAW / Intelligence sleuths had credible information, they would not have acted in advance?
Do we really think 7 hours for NSG to drop into action is really late. It takes 2 hours on flight for any chopper to fly from Delhi to Mumbai. Under who's estimate is 7 hours bad? and what's a good time to respond?
There was a news that a gun was easily smuggled into Mumbai CST station despite the metal detectors. Do we believe that we could physically check the millions who travel in trains daily at CST station? It is a statistical nightmare, even if we station 100 hawaldars at CST.
National security is largely based on information. Information which comes on the street and off the borders. We kid ourselves into thinking that more policemen means more security.
The other funniest thing going around these days is the spirit of Mumbai. Did we really think that we could bunk work and sit at home, just because some terrorists are holding up a hotel. No matter what happens next door, my kitchen stove lights up only when I work. Spirit of Mumbai is for ad-gurus.
We have been living in these conditions for ages. Is that we are only worried about terrorists from aborad? What about our own naxalites? Is our life more precious if we loose it to foreigners, but less so if Indians take it.
Or, are we worried that a handful of terrorists could paralyze our country. Work everywhere else did happen normally. Only a couple of locations in Mumbai were effected. MNS, Bajrang dal, various political & social organization do that to our cities every other day. Are our time and freedom more precious when foreigners meddle with it, but less so if some local gang does the same.
A familiar foe is better than an unknown one. Our freedom, time and life has always depended on the will of politicians & police. Now that it is within the reach of an unknown terrorist is what's really scary.
05 December 2008
11 September 2008
Soft-War-ed
"There are only 10 types of people in this world: those who understand binary, and those who don't."
If you got the joke, I am sure, you'll empathize with the rest of this blog. One of the questions that I dread answering is "Are you in software?". The question seems so innocent, that it borders on ignorance. I often wonder, why people don't ask, "Are you in Electricity?' to an Electrical Engineer.
The question seemingly so simple, draws such strong reactions on answering an 'Yes'. I am often confused on how to interpret those reactions.
Some show such an enthusiasm, that I am almost tempted to explain my whole project, with code and comments. Its not really that difficult or clever to be software engineer.
On some faces, I see agony, as if world is such an unfair place, and that my life is so simple and theirs so difficult. Yes, Easy it is, if you think working with deadline of yesterday is easy. Thats how most projects are done. But, then every job has its own problems, and every problem, its own workarounds. And Yes, mine is relatively easy. But, it needs ME.
Some cannot hide their reverence. It's as if they met a celebrity. I wouldn't wonder if they asked me to pose for a snap with them. Nowadays engineers are dime-a-dozen. I guess this is just a passing phase.
Some show an unparalleled envy, I do not understand why. Do they think I do not deserve even half the money I earn? If only they understand, we're billed in dollars and paid in rupees, they would appreciate how underpaid we are.
Some show deep resentment, as if I inherited lots of wealth and do not know the value of it. Well, there is a Mike Tyson and then there is a Warren Buffet. We all fall in between. And NO ! We are NOT to be blamed for high rentals. We too are victims of it.
Some show an expression of such ridicule, as if there can be nothing more funnier than being a software engineer. It seems they think they could take me for a ride as easily as eating popcorn. I couldn't care less, so long as its not my popcorn they are eating.
Some mourn & forecast doom, as if a calamity is going hit my life and I am going to loose everything the day software business is going to end. These are the doomsday-wishers. Nothing can make them happier than our economy falling and all of the software engineers loosing their job and realizing their folly. Such sadism.
Some throw a relaxed smile, the way we enjoy a child's exuberance. It's as if they have found how immature I am and then would proceed on to teach me the nuances of life. Every generation has a new set of rules. I think 3 generations ago, when we moved from agrarian to industrialized society, we had similar immature children [our grand-fathers].
Some caution me about my stress levels and physical conditions. Give me a break. Almost every high paying profession has high stress levels. Doctors, lawyers, police, builders, politicians. My job is pure fun. And NO ! software engineers are NOT any more prone to injuries of fingers, rotary muscles, eyes, ears, nose, teeth, legs, back etc. than other normal human beings. I have seen more healthy people in this industry than anywhere else. Exceptions are not the Rule.
Pardon me for my self-indulgence. I know I don't do such an important job.
If you got the joke, I am sure, you'll empathize with the rest of this blog. One of the questions that I dread answering is "Are you in software?". The question seems so innocent, that it borders on ignorance. I often wonder, why people don't ask, "Are you in Electricity?' to an Electrical Engineer.
The question seemingly so simple, draws such strong reactions on answering an 'Yes'. I am often confused on how to interpret those reactions.
Some show such an enthusiasm, that I am almost tempted to explain my whole project, with code and comments. Its not really that difficult or clever to be software engineer.
On some faces, I see agony, as if world is such an unfair place, and that my life is so simple and theirs so difficult. Yes, Easy it is, if you think working with deadline of yesterday is easy. Thats how most projects are done. But, then every job has its own problems, and every problem, its own workarounds. And Yes, mine is relatively easy. But, it needs ME.
Some cannot hide their reverence. It's as if they met a celebrity. I wouldn't wonder if they asked me to pose for a snap with them. Nowadays engineers are dime-a-dozen. I guess this is just a passing phase.
Some show an unparalleled envy, I do not understand why. Do they think I do not deserve even half the money I earn? If only they understand, we're billed in dollars and paid in rupees, they would appreciate how underpaid we are.
Some show deep resentment, as if I inherited lots of wealth and do not know the value of it. Well, there is a Mike Tyson and then there is a Warren Buffet. We all fall in between. And NO ! We are NOT to be blamed for high rentals. We too are victims of it.
Some show an expression of such ridicule, as if there can be nothing more funnier than being a software engineer. It seems they think they could take me for a ride as easily as eating popcorn. I couldn't care less, so long as its not my popcorn they are eating.
Some mourn & forecast doom, as if a calamity is going hit my life and I am going to loose everything the day software business is going to end. These are the doomsday-wishers. Nothing can make them happier than our economy falling and all of the software engineers loosing their job and realizing their folly. Such sadism.
Some throw a relaxed smile, the way we enjoy a child's exuberance. It's as if they have found how immature I am and then would proceed on to teach me the nuances of life. Every generation has a new set of rules. I think 3 generations ago, when we moved from agrarian to industrialized society, we had similar immature children [our grand-fathers].
Some caution me about my stress levels and physical conditions. Give me a break. Almost every high paying profession has high stress levels. Doctors, lawyers, police, builders, politicians. My job is pure fun. And NO ! software engineers are NOT any more prone to injuries of fingers, rotary muscles, eyes, ears, nose, teeth, legs, back etc. than other normal human beings. I have seen more healthy people in this industry than anywhere else. Exceptions are not the Rule.
Pardon me for my self-indulgence. I know I don't do such an important job.
11 July 2008
Transport
One of the most thoroughly screwed up areas in public life is the Transport. Not only in India, but in several other countries, this very important area is muddled up, thanks to the noble intentions of the Governments.
Lets see the insanity of the situation. A two-wheeler today costs upwards 40k and a four-wheeler upwards of 2.5L. This is a huge factor of a person's annual salary, considering India's Per capita. For a majority of people, a vehicle is rarely used upto 2 hours a day. Buying an item whose cost is so high and whose utility is so less frequent should not make economic sense. People would ideally rent vehicles or share vehicles rather than buying on their own. This would be the only economically sound and viable option, if not for our regulations.
Firstly government has a monopoly on public transport. It makes the transport cheap, dirty, unreliable and crowded. Further since it is governemnt owned, the fares have to be low, and meet only the minimum standard. Forgiving the lack of corporate management skill in the government, the financial position of all these public transport corporations through-out the country is in a dismal state, thanks to the high levels of corruption. If an absolutely important and repeatedly used service, which is run a monopoly, is not economically viable, then the only blame will be on bad-management.
What are the effects of such management. If Cheap, Dirty, Unreliable, Crowded are the adjectives that can be given to this sector, then people obviously shy away from it. Any person who can even remotely afford a own-vehicle will definitely go for it.
There is an interesting side-effect to it. If private enterprise runs public transport, Oil or Energy are a cost to it. Companies will be forced invest on reducing cost and hence vehicles will become energy-efficient, and economical alternate energy sources will be easier to come into market. If private enterprise is only into selling vehicle, Oil or Energy is at best a non-competing partner in the market. Companies see no reward in investing alternate fuels, as Oil is not a cost to them. Since the cost of Oil is pushed to the common man, who is no position to invest on research for alternatives, he picks his available alternatives. Cheap and Unreliable Public transport. Costly but Reliable Private transport. If Reliability leads to success, then you know who gets richer.
As long as the person is poor, he would choose Public transport, but the moment he becomes better off, he's off to buy a vehicle of his own. Another area in which our government regulations cause a heart-burn, is our taxi-service. Autos (three-wheelers), as they are popularly called, are a life-line to public transport, especially for shorter distances. Government excessively regulates them. Fixes the price, Fixes the color, does not allow branding, fixes the dress code, limits the number of passengers.
What is the effect of each:
1. Fixing the price: Auto drivers earn a measly amount per day. Most auto drivers rent their vehicle per day for a fixed amount like 300/- per day etc. They toil the whole day and hardly make an amount more than the rent they pay. No matter how hard an auto driver works, his income is limited due to this. Government artificially keeps the auto-drivers poor, in the garb of keeping the common man happy. Somehow, for government, auto drivers are not common-men. In many areas, auto drivers do not follow pricing and resort to fleecing and/or extortion. Every one of us, at one time or the other, would have had a good fight with an auto-driver over pricing. Such unprofessionalism in a service which we use so blatantly.
2. Fixed colors and no-branding: How many times did you get to travel in the same auto, in which you had once got a very good service. For me, it is almost none. For auto drivers, there is absolutely no incentive to be professional. If they are polite to you, or do not cheat, is there any benefit for them. Almost none. He does not see a repeat business. You would notice in areas where there is repeat business, auto drives act very polite and professional. Such is the effect of our regulation. We reduce people from professionals with self-respect to fleecers and extortionists.
3. Limiting the number of passengers: In India, every kind of vehicle is overloaded. It is in our culture to utilize our resources to the breaking point. Buses, lorries, cars, cabs everything is overloaded. Fining auto-drivers for overloading is just exhibition of power on the powerless.
To fix such simple issues, government ingeniously finds horrible solutions. By making traffic police monitor auto-drivers, we are insulting the police profession. Police who have to manage traffic, handle accident cases and investigate road related crimes have become arbiters of auto-fares, bullying around auto-stands and pocketing petty bribes.
The solutions are simple and straight-in-the face. Yet, we choose to ignore them without an ounce of reason. First, privatize the public transport. Let corporates run the buses. They'll do it more efficiently and cost-effectively. Second, allow branding. Customer loyalty greatly reduces prices. Enable free-market competitiveness, ie. allow multiple operators ply on the same routes. Third, abolish pricing controls, and branding controls on autos. Let them compete with the bus service. They are a good alternative for short travels. These can greatly benefit from alternate fuel technology like Solar / Electric / Pressurized-Air. Abolish any subsidy on transport fuels. Let the end customers feel the real cost of fuel. By subsiding one technology, we are closing doors on alternates.
Lets see the insanity of the situation. A two-wheeler today costs upwards 40k and a four-wheeler upwards of 2.5L. This is a huge factor of a person's annual salary, considering India's Per capita. For a majority of people, a vehicle is rarely used upto 2 hours a day. Buying an item whose cost is so high and whose utility is so less frequent should not make economic sense. People would ideally rent vehicles or share vehicles rather than buying on their own. This would be the only economically sound and viable option, if not for our regulations.
Firstly government has a monopoly on public transport. It makes the transport cheap, dirty, unreliable and crowded. Further since it is governemnt owned, the fares have to be low, and meet only the minimum standard. Forgiving the lack of corporate management skill in the government, the financial position of all these public transport corporations through-out the country is in a dismal state, thanks to the high levels of corruption. If an absolutely important and repeatedly used service, which is run a monopoly, is not economically viable, then the only blame will be on bad-management.
What are the effects of such management. If Cheap, Dirty, Unreliable, Crowded are the adjectives that can be given to this sector, then people obviously shy away from it. Any person who can even remotely afford a own-vehicle will definitely go for it.
There is an interesting side-effect to it. If private enterprise runs public transport, Oil or Energy are a cost to it. Companies will be forced invest on reducing cost and hence vehicles will become energy-efficient, and economical alternate energy sources will be easier to come into market. If private enterprise is only into selling vehicle, Oil or Energy is at best a non-competing partner in the market. Companies see no reward in investing alternate fuels, as Oil is not a cost to them. Since the cost of Oil is pushed to the common man, who is no position to invest on research for alternatives, he picks his available alternatives. Cheap and Unreliable Public transport. Costly but Reliable Private transport. If Reliability leads to success, then you know who gets richer.
As long as the person is poor, he would choose Public transport, but the moment he becomes better off, he's off to buy a vehicle of his own. Another area in which our government regulations cause a heart-burn, is our taxi-service. Autos (three-wheelers), as they are popularly called, are a life-line to public transport, especially for shorter distances. Government excessively regulates them. Fixes the price, Fixes the color, does not allow branding, fixes the dress code, limits the number of passengers.
What is the effect of each:
1. Fixing the price: Auto drivers earn a measly amount per day. Most auto drivers rent their vehicle per day for a fixed amount like 300/- per day etc. They toil the whole day and hardly make an amount more than the rent they pay. No matter how hard an auto driver works, his income is limited due to this. Government artificially keeps the auto-drivers poor, in the garb of keeping the common man happy. Somehow, for government, auto drivers are not common-men. In many areas, auto drivers do not follow pricing and resort to fleecing and/or extortion. Every one of us, at one time or the other, would have had a good fight with an auto-driver over pricing. Such unprofessionalism in a service which we use so blatantly.
2. Fixed colors and no-branding: How many times did you get to travel in the same auto, in which you had once got a very good service. For me, it is almost none. For auto drivers, there is absolutely no incentive to be professional. If they are polite to you, or do not cheat, is there any benefit for them. Almost none. He does not see a repeat business. You would notice in areas where there is repeat business, auto drives act very polite and professional. Such is the effect of our regulation. We reduce people from professionals with self-respect to fleecers and extortionists.
3. Limiting the number of passengers: In India, every kind of vehicle is overloaded. It is in our culture to utilize our resources to the breaking point. Buses, lorries, cars, cabs everything is overloaded. Fining auto-drivers for overloading is just exhibition of power on the powerless.
To fix such simple issues, government ingeniously finds horrible solutions. By making traffic police monitor auto-drivers, we are insulting the police profession. Police who have to manage traffic, handle accident cases and investigate road related crimes have become arbiters of auto-fares, bullying around auto-stands and pocketing petty bribes.
The solutions are simple and straight-in-the face. Yet, we choose to ignore them without an ounce of reason. First, privatize the public transport. Let corporates run the buses. They'll do it more efficiently and cost-effectively. Second, allow branding. Customer loyalty greatly reduces prices. Enable free-market competitiveness, ie. allow multiple operators ply on the same routes. Third, abolish pricing controls, and branding controls on autos. Let them compete with the bus service. They are a good alternative for short travels. These can greatly benefit from alternate fuel technology like Solar / Electric / Pressurized-Air. Abolish any subsidy on transport fuels. Let the end customers feel the real cost of fuel. By subsiding one technology, we are closing doors on alternates.
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