The house is on fire, and everyone discusses the politics of the fire brigade. Between 50 to a 100 innocent Iraqi civilians are dying everyday. The more that are killed, the more the horrendous death toll is turning into a mere statistic to fill the time slot for CNN or BBC, or whatever. The attention has turned much more to the politcal negotiations and machinations, the finacial cost to the US, the exact number of soldiers to be sent to Iraq or Afganistaan…
Category: Point of View
Akhilesh: Why Rural India is Indispensable
We all want to see our nation among the developed lots. Some of us want a step further, to see it as ‘world guru’. We assume that the present growth trajectory is just right. I have a point , being from the pedestrian level. Let’s talk some data first –
Continue reading “Akhilesh: Why Rural India is Indispensable”
A voice from rural India by Akhilesh Shukla
In Mahabharat, when Narad asks Yudhishdhir about his well being, the king replies that his fields are no more dependant on rains for irrigation. I quote this to show the importance of basic irrigation system for a state and its economy and care from the apex level of authority. Yes, I am going to connect this to our current situation, I say current plight.
Continue reading “A voice from rural India by Akhilesh Shukla”
Open Thread
There are so many of our community on this blog now that are interacting together, so I propose an Open Thread every Monday. Arguments are great. All I ask is that everyone respect each others point of view. I too will pop into the discussion. Shekhar
Agression Budget
With the world (rightly so) alarmed at the 18% rise in the Chinese ‘defence budet’ to $ 45 billion, it is good to look at this in perspective. At almost $ 500 billion, the US invests almost 50% of the total spending on Miltary might on planet earth. Given the state of our planet, no one can really afford it ….
The Demolisher of Imbalances
Our President Abdul Kalam Azad has got it absolutely right. Get every Indian Broadband Connected and we will then rise as one people to become the leading knowledge and hopefully ‘wisdom’ powers in the world. It is something I have been pushing for a long time. Put Broadband connectivity as priority infrastructure in our economic plan. Check the President’s speech at :
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6322027.stm
Shift Happens
I urge all of you to go to this site : http://www.glumbert.com/media/shift
And then ask the question “So why does more 70 % of the world’s population still barely survive at starvation levels ?” Shekhar
The Indian Budget
This budget is a good long term look at our economy from Mr Chidambaram. Recognizing that the the Indian Industrial and Service economy is rolling along, he has wisely left it well alone. I am sure he is thinking ‘ let’s see how it goes for the next year and then we can do some corrections’. I personally disagree with those that are panicked about inflation. Inflationary tendencies of up to 6 % have historically been an essential part of economic growth, provided it is backed by corresponding increase in productivity.
Credit cards, something strange ..
Just found out that if you make a direct debit charge on your credit card, your credit card company will refuse to cancel it. The supplier has to stop charging you ….
After Da Vinci Code …..
Titanic director James Cameron and Simcha Jacobovici of Exodus fame have produced a documentary which they claim is about to rock the very foundation of Christianity. Cameron claims the coffins of Jesus Christ and his family have been found at a burial cave in a suburb of Jerusalem, adding that the discovery means Jesus did not rise from the grave – a popular Christian belief, also called the Resurrection.