The Silent Indian National Anthem

Hummingbird came across an interesting review by Sri Pathap Suthan in Mint (January 29, 2011) titled "The Ring of Truth".  It's about a film on the national anthem created by Mudra Group for Reliance BIG Cinemas and features children with hearing disabilities singing the National Anthem through their sign language.

Secondhand Chemotherapy

Hummingbird came across this interesting video from Natural News TV.

What is secondhand chemotherapy? Why are pharmacists, nurses, doctors and veterinarians who regularly come into contact with toxic chemotherapy chemicals now getting cancer? Watch the video and find out the answers with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger!

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Rainfall and Democracy

Is there a connection between rainfal and democracy? 

How about agri-tourism?

When my friends from France and Spain wanted to visit my village in Bihar, Niraj Kumar, faculty of Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar writes (Business Line, July 6, 2010) that he broke into a sweat. Why..?

Special harmony

Hummingbird came across an interesting article in Business Line (Life, September 17, 2010).  It talks about Tasleema who belongs to a family of musicians. She says that her interest in Shabad Kirtan took root when, as a six-year-old, she watched her father's Sikh students learning to play the tabla and harmonium for Shabad Kirtans. 

Tasleem Langoo sings (Source:  Business Line, Sep 17, 2010)

Some excerpts from the article -

Her high point was when she was asked to perform at the Golden Temple in Amritsar in 2007. Her sweet voice brought tears to the eyes of many. An old woman hugged her and kissed her hands, saying, “You are the voice of Sikh women and an honour to the Sikh community.” The woman then removed her gold earrings and gifted them to the stunned singer.

“That was so moving. It is one of the biggest compliments I have received so far,” says Tasleema. “But she didn't know that the girl she was praising was not a Sikh but a Muslim from Kashmir,” she chuckles.

Tasleema has never felt any conflict between her religion and her passion. “The basics of all religions are the same as they lead to one Supreme God,” she says and recites her favourite shabad — Kareema raheema Allah tu gani.

Hummingbird had visited Gurudvaras (Delhi & Ludhiana) and offered prayers without understanding one word of what was spoken there.  Hummingbird believes that all places of worship are sanctified by the presence of God and is happy to read about a soul doing something which appeals to her heart believing in the oneness of God even at a time when politicians/media are busy dividing people.

We are ready to sweep the medals...!

Even the usually dour Janab Cynic Ali could not help but smile looking at this cartoon in Mint (Sep 30, 2010). 

(Source:  Mint, September 30, 2010)

Recently KPMG identified 3 projects (KG-D6 project, 4,000 MW Mundra plant and IGI Airport Expansion at New Delhi) out of one hundred examples of great projects that are at different stages of development across the world.    

Hummingbird wonders if we have done anything well and within the right time, except for a few projects like Delhi Metro etc.  The efficiency and energy which we see in the private sector with clear incentive structure for good performance, is generally absent when government ends up implementing big projects.  We usually have delays, himalayan corruption, etc where Government is directly involved.   Sadly, that's the state of affairs of this country. 

Hummingbird lives in hope.  He still looks forward to better days... when this great country will be ruled by enlightened and visionary politicians and honest bureaucrats.  A time in the near future when we won't become the laughing stock of the world.  He is not asking for the best in the world.. he would be very happy to have something better than we have today...

And we expect corporate governance...

Hummingbird (HB) came across this news item (Rush of IPOs to beat SEBI results norm, Business Line, Sep 18, 2010) that says there are 12 issues coming this month to raise Rs 4,000 cr.  The highlight of the news item is this -

A SEBI directive and a soaring secondary market have led to a flurry of initial public offerings aimed at making it before September 30.

Some Rs 4,000 crore will be raised through 12 IPOs that are being pushed through during this period. Since September 14, any given day of the month has seen at least two ongoing IPOs to date, and the rest of the month is going to be no different, at least until September 27.

"A big reason for this flood of offerings is because of the September 30 deadline set by SEBI," said Mr Sanjay Jain, Executive Director and Head of the Investment Banking Division at JM Financial Consultants. SEBI has said that if companies have issuances that hit the market after September 30, then they will have to publish their June quarter results. Those that enter the marker before that can file the DRHP with their March-end annual results.

What is interesting is that the June quarter results of many of the listed companies were below expectations, and that of yet-to-list companies are likely to be the same, said analysts. It is not a surprise then that they don't want to raise funds using their June quarter results.

The message is contained in the last sentence of the above para - companies don't want to raise funds using their June quarter results.  But why?  Because, the June quarter results of many of the listed companies were below expectations, and that of yet-to-list companies are likely to be the same, said analysts.

Corporate governance philosophy of Infosys is based on the seven principles, out of which the first two appear relevant in this situation -

1. Satisfy the spirit of the law and not just the letter of the law. Corporate governance standards should go beyond the law.
2. Be transparent and maintain a high degree of disclosure levels. When in doubt, disclose.

HB doesn't want to comment on any individual company which is raising funds.  But HB cannot help wondering about corporate governance... these are the companies which ab initio wants to do something wrong (though they are within the boundaries of law) and we the common man expect them to behave properly and follow good corporate governance practices post listing.  Are we day dreaming?

Why are you always following me..?

A picture is worth a thousand words, is an old idiom.  Janab Cynic Ali could not help but smile looking at this cartoon in Mint (Sep 16, 2010).

Source:  Mint, Sep 16, 2010

Janab Cynic Ali remembers an old dialogue from Yes Minister -

Sometimes one is forced to consider the possibility that affairs are being conducted in a manner which, all things being considered and making all possible allowances is, not to put too fine a point on it, perhaps not entirely straightforward.

Well, he doesn't want to translate and give the meaning of this dialogue.  Before Janab Saheb went, he remembered this dialogue -

Hacker: Are you saying that winking at corruption is government policy?

Sir Humphrey: No, no, Minister! It could never be government policy. That is unthinkable! Only government practice.

 

Hacker: You're a cynic, Humphrey!

Sir Humphrey: A cynic is what an idealist calls a realist.

Janab Saheb wondered where this country is heading.  Being a old man, he preferred to listen to radio.  He closed the doors slowly and switched on the radio.  He was happy to listen to an old Tamil song.  In the silence of the night, Hummingbird overheard him humming a MGR song - "Ethanai kaalam dhaan yematruvaar indha naatile" from the Tamil film: Malai Kallan, 1954 (approx translation - for how long will cheaters exist in the country). 

Well, as usual, Hummingbird is optimistic.  He says that it may be dark outside.  But the sun will rise tomorrow and the darkness will go.

Can ends justify means..?

An interesting conversation with Sri Devdutt Pattanaik.  Hummingbird feels that it is not necessary that we have to agree to whatever he says.  It is a modern interpretation with which we may or may not agree.  That's the beauty of this ancient land - we can agree to disagree.