One Plus One is Eleven proved right in Bihar

बिहार चुनाव के परिणाम आ चुके हैं । व् उसके साथ ही विश्लेषण ।

अगर पूरे इस चुनाव को देखा जाए तो पहली बार यह लगा की विपक्ष पार्टियों की एकता कितनी महत्वपूर्ण होती है । २०१४ के लोक सभा चुनाव में बिखरा हुआ विपक्ष का फायदा भाजपा व् मोदी को हुआ । वोटों का विश्लेषण भी यही कुछ इशारा कर रहा था । परन्तु इसकी असली परीक्षा  बिहार चुनावों  के दौरान हुआ । इखट्टा हुआ विपक्ष ने एक बड़ा उलटफेर कर दिखाया जो शायद भाजपा ने भी नहीं सोचा होगा ।

अब देखने वाली बात यह होगी की क्या यह फार्मूला अब हर राज्य में दोहराया जाएगा ? बंगाल और तमिल नाडु में तो इसका कोई महत्व नहीं होगा क्यूंकि इन् दोनों राज्यों में भाजपा का सरकार बना लेना थोड़ा कठिन है । बहुत ही अछा प्रदशान रहा तो भाजपा इन् राज्यों में एक मज़बूत विपक्ष की तरह उदय हो सकती है । तो तृणमूल व् वामपंथी इखट्टे हों या अम्मा व् करूणानिधि हों ऐसा लगता नहीं है ।

अब इस फार्मूला का फिर से टेस्ट पंजाब व् उत्तर प्रदेश में होगा जोकि अभी एक से डेढ़ साल दूर हैं । इस दौरान भाजपा को भी समय मिल जाएगा की वह इसका कोई तोड़ निकाल सके ।

पर मेरे हिसाब से पंजाब और उत्तर प्रदेश के चुनाव में इखट्टा विपक्ष करना उतना आसान नहीं होगा । मेरे हिसाब से इन् चुनावों में भारतीय राजनीती के कई समीकरण बदलेंगे । पंजाब जहां पे भाजपा अकालियों के साथ मिल कर चल रहे हैं, शायद अब किनारे होक अपने आप में चुनाव लड़ने का फैसला ले । अगर ऐसा हुआ तो पंजाब की जनता के लिए विपक्ष में तीन पार्टियां होंगी - कांग्रेस , आम आदमी पार्टी व् भाजपा । किसी भी तरह का घटजोध चुनावों के बाद ही बनेगा जैसे कुछ हद्द तक दिल्ली में हुआ ।

उत्तर प्रदेश में भी सपा व् बसपा तभी इकहट्टी होंगी अगर २०१७ तक भाजपा केंद्र में मज़बूत लगी । अगर मोदी सरकार कमज़ोर दिखी तो उत्तर प्रदेश में भी जनता के लिए कई पार्टियां होंगी चुनने के लिए जो भाजपा के लिए शायद एक अच्छी खबर होगी । भाजपा यह भी प्रयास करेगी की बसपा य स्पा के साथ अंदरूनी घटजोर कर ले २०१७ से पहले ताकि वह बिहार जैसे परिणाम की तरफ न जाए ।

अंत: यही कहना चाहता हूँ की आने वाला समय भारतीय राजनीती में बेहद रोमांचक होने वाला है । तीसरा विपक्ष कांग्रेस के साथ या उसके बिना बनेगा की नहीं अथवा एक टूटा हुआ विपक्ष फिर से भाजपा व् मोदी का सूर्य भारतीय राजनीती के आसमान में उगेगा इसका पता २०१७ में ही चलेगा । 

जय भारत । 

Indrani Mukherjee - testimony of Irresponsible and Sensationalist Indian media

Indrani Mukherjee can has brought the negative side of Indian Media Sensationalism to the shore. Imagine, the kind of coverage it is getting on all media platforms from TV to Social Media as if it hurts the nation as a whole.

Though the fact is that this case is like many other cases of Cold Blooded murder which our security and intelligence agencies solve day & night. 

During the same period when Indrani Mukherjee saga has been running on TV, a brave soldier has laid down his life in Kashmir before killing 11 militants in as many days, Financial Markets of the country have meltdown like anything, US Dollar has reached 67, continuous shelling from across the border, someone also won Khel Ratna awards and many more events which has impacted the nation. But those are nowhere on the screen :(

I feel Indian Media should act more maturely now. If they won't then either they will lose viewership to other forms such as TV Soaps, Knowledge channels such as Discovery or may be a global media giant which will find this vacuum to enter into India and deliver somewhat better content.

Indian Media should remember that people like Sensationalism to an extent. Steadily, people have begun to realize that Indian Media drives content with minimum accountability. And in times to come, the bread & butter of Indian Media will be given by raising questions which impact common man lives, not by showcasing what size of Briefcase had bought by Indrani or to whom she had talked to.

Hope Intellect Prevails...

Secure your family with Edelweiss Tokio Life - MyLife+

Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance - a new age life insurance player in India - has recently launched a new online term insurance plan named "Edelweiss Tokio Life -MyLife+". Apart from being cost effective and high age coverage, the plan is customized according to Indian family structure wherein the family often struggles to meet their day-to-day financial needs, after the death of policy holder.

This term life insurance plan offers three attractive pay-out options to the nominee, in case of policy holder's death - Lump-sum benefit, Income Benefit and third one, which provides combination of both Lump-sum and Income Benefit. Under Lump-sum option, nominee can get benefit equal to the Sum Assured. Nominee can also opt for Income Benefit option in which he/she will receive 1% of Sum Assured every month for next 130 months. This option ensures that family gets funds regularly to meet their daily financial needs and hence, limiting the financial impact on them in case of death of earning member. Under the third option which is a combination of both Lump-sum and Income Benefit, nominee can choose to take partial amount as Lump-sum and remaining in the form of monthly pay-outs.

Edelweiss Tokio Life MyLife+ plan comes with several attractive features:

• Provides life cover up to the age of 80 which ensure your family is adequately protected for longer period of time.
• Premium is competitive as compared to other plans and offers discount if you opt for Large Sum Assured.
• Lower Premium for female lives, which is equivalent to 3 years age setback to Male Rate.
• Enhance your protection cover by offering additional riders such as Accidental Death, Accidental Total and Permanent disability & waiver of premium.

Other companies such as ICICI Prudential, LIC and Aegon Religare also offer term plans. But what makes Edelweiss Tokio Life MyLife+, a best life insurance policy, is the pay-out design (called as Income Replacement) which ensures that family keeps on getting regular "financial liquidity" even after the demise of policy holder.

Given below is the comparison of few popular term plans:

Feature	Edelweiss Tokio  (MyLife+ Plan)	ICICI Prudential (iProtect Plan)	Aegon Religare ​(iTerm Plan)	LIC  (e-Term Plan)
Min-Max Entry Age (in years)	18-60	20-65	18-60	18-60
Max Maturity Age (in years)	80	75	65	75
Max Policy Term (in years)	60+ (80 minus entry age)	30 years	25 years	35
Pay-out Options (On Death)	1. Lump Sum 2. Income Benefit 3. Combination of Lump sum and Income Benefit.	Lump Sum	Lump Sum	Lump Sum

Free Look Period

Edelweiss Tokio Life MyLife+ plan provides a 'Free Look Period' in which you can return the policy within 15 days from receiving the policy. For policies bought through Distance Marketing, free look up period will be provided for 30 days. Premium will be refunded after deducting stamp duty and cost of medical expenses, if any.

To get life insurance quotes for you or to know more about Edelweiss Tokio Life MyLife+ plan, click here.

Low Penetration of Insurance in India

India is currently in an unusual state. Despite world’s second largest populous country and with a huge young population (~65% of population lies between 15-35 years age bracket), the inclination towards Insurance has been lopsided towards denial.

 

The recent article in Business Standard articulates this fact. The article states that Insurance industry in India has grown from 2.71% to 3.96% in the last decade. This figure becomes further astonishing when we consider General Insurance (which includes Health Insurance) where the penetration has gone up from 0.56% to 0.78% in the last decade. 

 

 

The biggest reason behind this state of denial by people of India is lack of reforms in this sector. From reforms, I am not talking in context of bringing foreign firms in India and hope the wheel will turn on its own. Rather, what is missing is greater transparency, lack of accountability and pushing the sector on every nook of the country, just the same way banking and telecom made the inroads.

 

If we move back to 2003-2004, Insurance industry saw several Multi National Insurance firms entering Indian markets with various products, built mostly around ULIPs and Market based. But IRDA, which is the governing authority, did not manage the products offered by the private insurers.

 

The charges were exorbitant, and hence, returns sacrificed. The companies built big budgeted marketing strategies and products were pushed down investors’ throats. With the slump in 2008, the fund values of these policies fall drastically by as much as 60-70% in various schemes. IRDA never took any steps to curb the loot by the insurance companies. Though it has now acted through series of steps taken between 2010 and 2013, but by then, investors’ sentiments have been jolted.

 

Let us try to evaluate various factors behind this negativism towards Insurance and how the sector stakeholders can manage them:

 

Make Plans more transparent towards Risk & Return

The biggest problem that an investor faces before buying a plan is lack of clarity on what would be his risk and return on the investment? Though plan brochure speaks about it, but it never gives a clear picture on the kind of returns. We all can see various marketing SMS / Emails speaking about getting several crores by putting few thousand bugs every month!! But the investor is now much mature after being looted in last decade and hence, shows denial towards such plans. I feel what is required here is to clearly speaking about following in the plan brochure:

 

• What exactly are the charges towards providing Risk Cover?? It should not be “X” Rs. per “1000” of Sum Assured. It should clearly spell out in the terms of % of his premium amount. IRDA can design a sheet with various such details for the customer, which will be signed by the investor.
• How much percentage (%) of his premium going towards investing in various segments like Equity Markets, Bonds, etc?
• What are the commission charges paid by the customer to the agent / company?
• Is his Capital guaranteed?
• The Guaranteed Returns should be % of Premium amount and not Sum Assured, as various plans speak because that creates ambiguity.

Commission should increase with policy retention and not vice versa

Currently, huge chunk of commission is given on the first premium and then it gradually decreases with each year. This push agents towards hard selling by pushing the policy inside investors’ throat without considering whether he has the appetite to digest it? Thus, IRDA should make commission structure, just the opposite. The agents should receive less commission in initial 1/3 of the policy tenure and then a gradual increase. I am pretty sure that policy lapsation wil drastically reduced and agents would be actively involved with the customers towards policy renewals.

 

Stringent Regulations and Penalty Clauses for Mis-selling

The insurance in India is not ‘simplified’. The agents too command higher commission stating it is a complex product. But the ground reality is that 9 out of 10 agents even don’t know the basics of insurance. The examination is easy to pass. There are set of questions which is gulped down agents’ throat before sitting out for exam. He clears it without understanding risks & rewards and then becomes “puppet” in the hands of insurance companies. During training sessions, these companies give hard core marketing lessons, often mixing projections with real returns like a fine cocktail and then this cocktail is shared with investors. But like any other hard drink, it end up as an unhealthy product for investor’s investments. Thus what is required is a more stringent guidelines on companies as well as on agents towards mis-selling.

 

• Put the onus on insurance companies to write more vocally in policy brochures on whom to approach in case of mis-selling.
• Define the maximum time needed to resolve complaint.
• Make financial and other punishments more stringent on both insurance companies as well as agents.

Make Insurance Affordable and push it to every nook of the country

Insurance, though is inherent need of any person on earth, yet is not projected this way among the masses. It is still a “push” product as there is a general denial tendency among masses towards insurance. What is the need of the hour is “concentrated campaign” by both govt as well as insurance companies to promote the same, especially in the lower strata of the population where it is needed the most.

 

IRDA should ask every Insurance company to introduce a low-cost Insurance product for lower strata of the population. Also ask the companies to allocate atleast 20% of their marketing budget in promotion of these products for say next 5 years. Simplify the products and make it as easy to sell just like any other financial product such as Banking. This is only possible, if people start understanding “What is Insurance” and for the same, what is need of the hour is the educational campaign. Once people realize that Insurance as a product is as necessary as Bank account and there are plans which are available for say, as low as 100 Rs premium for a month / quarter, then I am sure it will gain widespread and we may achieve target like 20% of the population in next decade or so.

 

This is my view-point on this issue. if you have any comments, then kindly contact us or email us at pcj@growyourpaisa.com

एक मदारी की जीत

एक मदारी की जीत ।

एक मदारी आया, अपने झोले में खूब सारे फल लाया,

दिखा दिखा उसने सब बन्दरों के मन को खूब ललचाया,

"अब सबको मिलेगा फल, अब सबको मिलेगा  बेहतर कल

सब रहेंगे मिल के अब न होगी कोई फ़िक्र।"

पर मदारी की भूख बड़ी थी, उसकी टीम छूप के पीछे खड़ी थी,

जैसे ही बन्दर पास आये उन्होंने जाल बिछाया, 

सबको फंसा पीपल के पेड़ से लटकाया

मदारी ज़ोर से हंसा और बंदरों को बोला,

"हर साल मैं जंगल में आता हूँ, तुमको फल दिखा पकड़ ले जाता हूँ,

तुम कब समझोगे यह फल नहीं जाल है, यह नासमझ ही तुम्हारी हार है । "

यह सुन बंदरों ने एक दुसरे को विवश भरी मंद आँखों से देखा और कहा

"हमारी नादानी शायद समझ से बड़ी है,

इसलिए हमारी किस्मत शायद इस देश की तरह आज इस पेड़ से लटकी पड़ी है,

इस पेड़ से लटकी पड़ी है ।।  "

दरबार साहिब हादसा - सत्ता भोगी भीड़े

ब्लूस्टार ऑपरेशन की याद मे जो दरबार साहिब में महोत्सव रखा गया और उसमे जिस तरह से दो गुट आपस में लड़े वह देख कर बहुत दुःख हुआ  । 

सिख धर्म हमेशा से ही वीर एवं साहस के लिए जाना गया है । पर अफ़सोस यह वीरता देश एवं धर्म की रक्षा की जगह एक दुसरे को मिटाने के लिए प्रयोग करी गयी । वह मंज़र बहुत डराने वाला थ. तलवार लिए शूरवीर एक दुसरे के ऊपर प्रहार  कर रहे थे । एक सच्चा धार्मिक व्यक्ति कदापि एक धार्मिक स्थल पे ऐसा घिनौना कार्य नहीं करेगा । अवश्य ही यह एक सियासी लड़ाई है जिसमे स्वार्थ और सत्ता भोगी अपने फायदे के लिए अपने विपक्ष का नुक्सान करने का प्रयास कर रहे हैं । मुद्दा भी हैरान करने वाला था । सिर्फ माइक पे न बोलने की वजह से यह झगड़ा शुरू हुआ ।  

पंजाब और पंजाबी एक बड़ा ही गज़ब संगम है । बड़बोले पर दिल से साफ़, मेहनती पर सबसे बड़े खर्चीले भी, रात को मुर्गे के दीवाने पर सुबह आलू के परांठे के लालची भी । पंजाबी हो और यह सब खूबियां न हो, ऐसा हो नहीं सकता । इस धर्म और इस प्रदेश ने भारत की भूमि को अनेक खूबियां दी है । 

नए सांसद बने श्री भगवंत मान ने इस मुद्दे पे सही टिप्पणी करी है । वह बोले "धर्म हमेशा राजनीति को दिशा मार्ग देता है । परन्तु कुछ सालों से विपरीत हो रहा है की राजनीति धर्म को दिशा दे रही है । " शायद यह आजकल हरेक प्रदेश और धर्म में हो रहा है । कुछ सियासतदार मुस्लाम के रखवाले बन चुके हैं, कुछ हिन्दुओं के, कुछ दलित के, कुछ बंगाली के, गुजराती के वगैरह वगैरह  । बाबा जी से दुआ है की इन सियासी लोगों को सद्बुद्धि दे ताकि जिस देश को सबने मिलके आज़ाद कराया है उसको अब फिर से कमज़ोर वे ना बाँट दें । 

सत श्री अकाल । जय भारत  !

Ram Rahim bethe kaashi mein

राम और रहीम बैठे अयोध्या में पुछे सबकी जात,

तुम्हे किसने हिन्दु मुस्लाम बनाया, पुछे सब से ये हि बात, 

हमने सिर्फ़ इंसानियत का पाठ पढ़ाया , दुनिया में प्रेम से रहना सिखलाया ,

पर तुम इक दुसरे के खून के प्यासे हो चुके हो , एकता का पाठ जो पढ़ाया वह शायद भूल चुके हो

वह दोनों निकल पड़े बोले इक हि जुबान , इस मस्जिद मैं रहीम नहीं इस मन्दिर मैं ना है राम !!!

NaMo RaGa and Kejriwal please be aside. IPL 7 is about to begin

IPL 7 is commencing from Abu Dhabhi today. The year passed by is marred with many controversies from alleged arrest of three Rajasthani Royal players. Also media has put many questions on the kind of money spent in IPL. The whole concept of IPL is now under threat.

Well keeping everything aside, let us focus on IPL 7. Today it is between Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians. Mumbai Indians are defending champions and would like to consolidate their position. On the other side, Kolkata Knight Riders would like to put up their best bet this season for win.

On papers, I personally feel that Kolkata Knight Riders has better chances to win today's contest. The top order though is a bit weak. Gambhir and Kallis are not the ones who can take you beyong 170-180 runs score. Only Uthappa possesses the fire. But I think that will easily be compensated by their middle order which has players like Yusuf Pathan who can accelerate the game, at will, especially during death. The bowling department, especially Spin attack is very good with the likes of Naraine, Piyush, Yusuf and M Morkel in the kitty.

Mumbai Team has strong top order with likes of M Hussey and Rohit Sharma. Though after them, there exists a void which is only filled by K. Pollard. The bowling attack is led by Malinga - the great stinger along with Ojha and Pollard. 

I feel that if Kolkata Knight Riders get the chance to bat first, it will be an advantage for them as they can easily choke a team through their restrictive bowling attack.

Whatever be the outcome, the great festival of cricket is about to begin!!! Mr. Modi, Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Kejriwal, please be aside for a moment. Give this festival a moment of glory it needs

Appeasement of Minorities - An Old Ritual before elections begin...

Yesterday all across the media, the topic was appeasement of minorities. The way all political parties are trying to appease minority, noticeably Muslim community before elections is testimony of the fact that they don't have permanent ideology. The ideology which can help them win the seats, these parties quickly adopt them.

Rajnath Singh's - BJP Party Chief statement yesterday in which he has apologized to Muslim community is a glaring example of the same. BJP's emergence at the national level was based on his hardcore Hindutva issue. Every citizen of the country knows that. Babri Masjid demolition was architect and executed by senior-most members of the party and many of them still exists in the ranks of the party. So, few quetions that come to anyone's mind is :

1) What was that he was apologizing for? Is he apologizing for Babri Masjid demolition?

2) Is he ready to forego Ram Mandir issue for the sake of minority appeasement?

3) Does he feel that Gujarat riots was the fault of BJP core brass in the state?

I feel that such statements by Rajnath Singh indicates the growing nervousness in the party ranks on isolating Minority base due to Modi hardcore Hindu image. Or it may have done to create confusion in Muslim community and an attempt to divide Muslim voter base.

Similarly, one may look at Samajwadi Party methods of Minority appeasement. He make sure he wears skull cap at every event which covers Muslim community but when it comes to protection of any religion community, his govt has terribly failed, both pre as well as post Muzzafnagar riots. As a state govt, it was his duty to protect every innocent citizen, irrespective of majority / minority community.

Congress is another big loud mouthed protector of Minority communities. The current Congress party is the biggest failure when it comes to implementation of its patriarch Mahatama Gandhi's dream of a secular India where all communities live together and thrive. The Congress policies in past two decades from Mandal Commission to other measures has created several divisions among the religions and castes across the country.

But it is sad for this land is that citizens of this country still believe in them and follow them. They have been fooled so many times and no hope till now exists which can actually get India rid of this menace.

Jai Hind!!!

How much credit that organizers get for Auto Expo 2014?

My Letter to Auto Expo Organizers

Dear Organizers,

You must be delighted to know that Auto Expo this year has got exceptionally well response from the car lovers of India. The response must have made you feel proud to be associated of being a part of this event. Though, one question which I would like to put in front of you is whether you deserve all the accolades as Organizers???

As organizers, your responsibility or your success parameters are how good people feel as they come and watch this grand event? Sadly though, most of the good memories that one is carrying is not about good management of the event but only cars which I saw in the event.

There were several major gaps in the overall management of this event, right from traffic jams due to improper planning for transport, too expensive food, unhygienic conditions around food stalls, dusty parking lanes and most of all, ticket booking!!! Why on the earth, I again need to go to Booking Counter, if I have already booked tickets online.

Well, let me share my experience as events unfolded.

Commuting / Transport

I came by my own car to visit Auto Expo on Saturday and reached Greater Noida in no less than 1 hours time from South Delhi (around 12 noon). 3 Kms before the event place, I encountered a huge jam which took me more than 1.5 hrs to cover. The reason for jam was the improper traffic management. As you take left from the express way, the parking was another 400-500 metres away crossing the entire venue. Making things worse, cars were illegally parked around the main road, congesting traffic lanes further, yet nobody bothered to prevent such thing at the first place or nobody to bring cranes and take out the illegal parking cars (though I have seen cranes moving around, but they were doing failed to enthuse after seeing those illegally parked cars).

Another example of improper planning was the bus stand which was before the car parking area. Thus, the buses which were bringing visitors had to stop to unboard passengers and again you see two left lanes permanently blocked, further hampering the vehicle movement. Anyways, phase-I of my event got over in 1.5 hrs as I reached the parking area.

Dusty Parking

As I reached Parking Area, I felt like I have come for a car rally!!!! The entire parking area was built on dry mud, which led to too much dust flowing in that area due to vehicle movement and windy conditions on Saturday. My wife, who is a bronchial patient, had a tough time crossing the parking lane. To your credit though, ample car parking space was available for such a huge public who was coming to Auto Expo.

Why I need to pick tickets again!!!

I booked my tickets for Auto Expo event through www.bookmyshow.com. As I have booked tickets online, why I am require picking tickets again? What is the benefit that you were providing to customers through online ticket booking? I feel that I have got “Zero” benefit from this process of yours. Anyways, I had to go to bookmyshow counters to get the tickets. It took me 1 hour to get the actual ticket!!!!!!! “Why I have to spend 1 hr. when I have already booked tickets???” Further things worse, the area was full of dust. Buses unboarding people on the road adjacent to counters increasing pollution and the entire family had to just stand in the open and face it for visiting Auto Expo. As organizers, you have the privilege of not going such ordeal and that is why you won’t understand the problems of standing in the open either under the full sun / rain waiting to get the tickets, WHICH YOU HAVE ALREADY BOOKED!!!! Anyways, this second phase got over in 1 hr.

Finally thanks to your management, it took me 2.5 hrs. to enter the Auto Expo, which otherwise should not be more than 15 mins. So at 2:30 in noon, I was finally inside the venue with my wife. Being a noon time, we thought of having lunch before we go inside the pavilions. And where starts the next ordeal!!!

So So Expensive Food and Dusty Environment

I can share pics, if you need of the swarm of people in and around eating area. Such was the fuss that people were sitting on the carpet and having food. No proper tables or sitting space was provided to the visitors, except 2-3 which were always occupied. And most importantly food prices!!!! Was prices of the food was made expensive intentionally as you were aware that visitors have no choice but buy food from those stalls only. How on the earth would you feel having a Thali for Rs. 500 and eating it in the open dusty environment and that too sitting on the carpet!!!

Atleast in Pragati Maidan, you have the options to go to nearby places like C.P / Pandara Road to have food. At Greater Noida, you are almost stuck!!! And hence, you have no other option but to buy food at extra ordinary prices… On an average, a person buying 300 Rs. Ticket has to spend equal amount on itself to fill its stomach and that too by sitting in open air space where dust is flowing and sitting on carpet!!!!!

Well, the remaining part of my visit was good. The pavilions were good. The show was really awesome and I had a good time inside the pavilions.

I, as a visitor, will most likely remembering the great cars which I saw in Auto Expo, but sorry to say, will also remember the quality of hospitality received from the event organizers… I feel that lot of changes are required in the management of such an event.

Do Google, find out some case studies and event models of great events organized in the past and try to take few ideas from those. Don’t just make such events a great money generating event. Nobody minds profitability, but not at the cost of customer dis-satisfaction, please always remember that…

Thanks

Mayank Jhanji

(E) – mayank.jhanji@gmail.com

Has Indian Voters matured??? - 5th December 2013

The way Indian voters have recently selected the state / country rulers indicate that real democracy is right now at fair distance. I am referring to the UP State elections held around 3 years back and now what exit polls picture of Delhi assembly.
In UP, voters threw BSP from the rule and bring another corrupt party "SP" with the thumping majority. The caste based voting was at its peak and case based selections at the district level helped "SP" get 200+ seats. My first question to UP voters was whether there had been any change in SP functioning from the previous time they were in govt? I feel that just because they wanted to throw BSP, they selected SP. It is more like a child who is beaten up by Father, goes to the lap of Mother hoping that she would lay a balm on him. Though, history suggested that both Mother and Father are cruel drunkard personalities who take care of their own interests than the interests of the whole family.

In Delhi as well, I am seeing similar kind of immaturity by the voters. Though I am the fan of both Modi type Governance model and AAP type anti-corruption and socialistic model of governance, but feel saddened from the exit polls estimates, if they seem correct.

In Delhi, both BJP and Congress are at helm of affairs at municipality and assembly levels. Combined their vote share as per exit polls estimates, 60% votes have been bagged by them (32% BJP and 28% Congress). Out of total voting of 65% in Delhi, 39% feel for these parties.

My very basic question to these 39% voters is :

1) "What have these parties did for you????"

2) "Do we have proper drainage facility, good quality municipal schools, lighting, garbage dumping facilities in Delhi, which is supposed to be the primary responsibility of BJP led Municipal Corporation??"

3) "Is law and order, traffic management, employment opportunities, inflation under control, which is supposed to be the primary responsibility of Congress led assembly govt????"

4) "Do Delhi voters like any other voter in India voting on the basis of Caste / religion???"

Our democratic system expect a lot from regions like Delhi, which comparatively has more educated and media aware class, which possess the power to think more rational than the other voters in the country. Sad though, it is nowhere to be seen currently.

Many voters have been voting to BJP and many against BJP because of NaMo (Narender Modi) factor... My basic question is whether NaMo has any role in the sewage problem in your vicinity. We have been voting in Delhi to select local leaders who will be resolving your local issues. Why Delhi voters are getting influenced by Narender Modi speeches???

I am pretty sure many of die-hard BJP fans wouldn't have known from which constituency has Dr. Harshvardhan been contesting elections?? He was chosen simply to find the middle path out of two factions in state unit of BJP. Yet people have been voting for BJP singing "NaMo NaMo"

Similarly, many must have chosen Congress because they "fear Narender Modi", especially minority voter base. As if, Modi would be so much bothered about what is happening in Delhi, if he becomes PM tomorrow. 

It is just a hope though, but I pray to God that the upcoming voters, especially young generation, do not vote on the basis of caste / religion and choose "growth, development, equality, non-corruption" as the parameters to select the leaders.

Jai Hind!!!

Modi rally in delhi bells the battle for 2014 elections

Narendra Bhai Modi rally in Delhi today has shown the glimpse of what is lying ahead in expected 2014 General Elections in India. No doubt, the elections this time will be over charged and intense. 

The rally today was just the perfect BJP hoped for. The mob of more than 3-4 Lakh people from Delhi and its neighboring states has made the platform perfect for BJP and Narendra Modi to create momentum in its favor in this region. The speech by Narendra bhai Modi came out in his own trademark style. The loudness, the firmness, the confidence in the voice showcased the aggressiveness with which Modi has been taking on the government and the ruling party.

Another point that goes in favor of Modi and the BJP is the huge public gathering in all his recent speeches across the country. Rewari rally brought tremendous number of people. Even rally at Trichur in Tamil Nadu where BJP has negligible presence is giving an indication of his growing stature among the masses. The govt seems making same mistake of undermining his strength just the same way as it did for Ramdev or later Anna Hazare's anti graft campaign.

Another evidence which goes in the favor of this argument is the "Self-goal" strategy by Rahul Gandhi. The mileage which he received on his aggressive stance, simply seems to fade away after Modi's speech today. BJP strategy of Delhi rally being a grand rally showcasing India's future Prime Minister has come out successfully for them - grand stage, 3-4 Lakh people, typical aggression in Modi, Sidhu speeches, live media coverage. Rahul Gandhi honest pot back at PM has simply faded away.

Though, the battle has just begun for 2014 campaign, but if UPA-II doesn't fight back, the chances are very strong that it may crush down under the strong momentum with which he is taking on the govt. Few more such rallies and there are very strong chances that even the allies begin to change sides. We must not forget that allies such as National Conference, DMK, NCP, BSP, Jagan nath Reddy have been a shaky one and won't take time to jump onto other side of the line.

All in all, 2014 elections will going to be an interesting one. Mathematically, Modi has a big task to perform. Lest he gets 200+ seats by himself, it will be difficult for BJP to garner outside support. And to make it happen, BJP needs similar performances in the upcoming rallies as well.

ALL IN ALL - THE BIGGEST GAME OF INDIAN DEMOCRACY HAS BEGUN!!!!!

What is Potency Test passed by Asaram Bapu?

Last week, 'Moksha Prapti' guru Asaram jee yet again proved his mettle when he passed Potency Tests with flying colors. He passed all three stages of this test at the ripe age of 72 which indicates the benefits of meditation and healthy diet on human's body :)

But what exactly is Potency Test? What are those three stages and how these are being performed? Few things which everyone must know....

What is Potency Test?

Potency Tests are being done for both legal and medical purposes, usually to check whether a man is capable to perform sexual duties / acts or not. This test is often being done on the accused in cases of physical molestation such as Rape, martial disputes, etc. It is also being done to provide remedy for male patients who are not able to make their life partner conceive.

What are the various stages of these tests?

The potency test is essentially a combination of three tests:

1) Stimulus Test

In this step, man's private part is stimulated to see its behavior. It is first done through manual movements and then by injecting drug stimulators, if the manual method fails. As per Zee News reports, Asaram jee cleared the test through physical stimulation only.

2) Psychiatric Evaluation

In this step, the doctor keep the patient in sexually stimulate environment and evaluate man's psychological behavior during that time. It is done majorly in case of young rape accused and see whether there exists any psychological disorder in their cases.

3) Penile Doppler Ultrasound 

This test shows how much and how well blood flows into and out of the penis. It is primarily used for men with Severe Erectile Dysfunction which does not respond to oral medication (like Viagra).

The Doppler effect is used to tell which direction the blood is flowing. In order to have an erection, blood must flow into the penis, but not flow out. But there is a condition know as Venous Leak Syndrome, where the veins do not “shut off” at the right time, so too much blood flows out of the penis, and the erection is not firm. The Doppler ultrasound can find this problem. If this problem exists the only solution is surgery. 

Asaram Bapu has yet again proved that why India has second largest population in the world :)

50 words English derived from India

I have just gone through the website and found an interesting article which states "50 words that English derived from India". Thought of sharing it with you guys.

URL - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18796493

50 words that English derived from India

• A - atoll, avatar
• B - bandana, bangle, bazaar, Blighty, bungalow
• C - cashmere, catamaran, char, cheroot, cheetah, chintz, chit, chokey, chutney, cot, cummerbund, curry
• D - dinghy, doolally, dungarees
• G - guru, gymkhana
• H - hullabaloo
• J - jodhpur, jungle, juggernaut, jute
• K - khaki, kedgeree
• L - loot
• N - nirvana
• P - pariah, pashmina, polo, pukka, pundit, purdah, pyjamas
• S - sari, shampoo, shawl, swastika
• T - teak, thug, toddy, typhoon
• V - veranda
• Y - yoga

Enjoy!!!!

India @2013 - at the cross road of "Reconstruction" or "Self Destruction"

Almost every adult citizen of our country remembers of the most often statement that was used to describe "India" in the beginning of 21st century - the rising super power of 21st Century. We were the most admired country for the world at every front that time be it political, economic or social. Our democratic structure put us ahead of China (our competitor) which had complete govt control. Our young educated population along with rise in Information Technology enhanced our credibility by many a times on the World Arena. The diverse sangam of so many religions, tribes and caste enabled us stand completely apart among the others. With so much to offer to this world, we were the ones, the entire world was looking at that time. 

10 years have now been passed and the euphoria, the enthusiasm and the hope has faded. Our democratic structure has been badly shaken by the so called "coalition politics" where regional parties have given priority to local factors than to the nation as whole. The non-stop running chain of corruption has further dented the credibility of our political brass, which unfortunately, controls our democratic structure.

The economic situation is no better either. Our economic growth is threatened by rising food and consumer inflation, less growth in income levels and too much reliance on imports. Though govt quickly puts the blame on the global turmoil but fails to answer its role to steer us of this danger. In the end, India was never responsible for  what happened in the global economy. Rather, it provided us a great opportunity to steer ahead of developed economies as they were cooling off. The testimony of poor economic situation is the currency which has depreciated against every major currency of this world in last decade or so.

At the social level too, we are now divided. Maharashtra feels threatened by Bihar, the same lies with Dalits and Brahmins, Hindu & Muslims, Jats and Gujjars, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu (Cavery River issue) and so many to add in the list. The country is now in danger as we fight to take a caste / religion ahead but dragging the nation backward. 

In the end, we are a country which can blame nobody but us only for the complete mess. We are a country which has set an example of "Self Destruction" and tells the world that how promises are to be broken. 

We can still change the scenario as only 10 years have been passed which is a small phase in life of a nation. We need to put pressure on our political brass to stand and deliver. We can push them to build policies which support innovation, create job opportunities, help entrepreneurs build organizations for the future and several more such steps. 

We should make attempts to unite with each other. Treat each other as humans, respect every religions, caste or people with low economic background. Just a change in attitude and we will again be the country - the world will look at with respect.

Jai Hind!!! 

How IT making our lives complex!!!

Read it all the way through! It's a good laugh! AND really quite true!!

When my son got me a Blackberry, I thought about the 30-year business I ran with 1,800 employees, all without a cell phone that plays music, takes videos, pictures and communicates with Facebook and Twitter. I signed up under duress for Twitter and Facebook, so my kids, their spouses, 3 grand kids and could communicate with me in the modern way. I figured I could handle something as simple as Twitter with only 140 characters of space.

That was before one of my grandkids hooked me up for Tweeter, Tweetree, Twhirl, Twitterfon, Tweetie and Twittererific Tweetdeck, Twitpix and something that sends every message to my cell phone and every other program within the texting World.

My phone was beeping every three minutes with the details of everything except the bowel movements of the entire next generation. I am not ready to live like this. I keep my cell phone in the shopping bag.

The kids bought me a GPS for my last birthday because they say I get lost every now and then going over to the grocery store or library. I keep that in a box under my tool bench with the Blue tooth [it's red] phone I am supposed to use when I drive. I wore it once and was standing in line at Barnes and Noble talking to my wife and everyone in the nearest 50 yards was glaring at me. I had to take my hearing aid out to use it, and I got a little loud.

I mean the GPS looked pretty smart on my dash board, but the lady inside that gadget was the most annoying, rudest person I had run into in a long time. Every 10 minutes, she would sarcastically say, "Re-calc-u-lating." You would think that she could be nicer. It was like she could barely tolerate me. She would let go with a deep sigh and then tell me to make a U-turn at the next light. Then if I made a right turn instead. Well, it was not a good relationship..

When I get really lost now, I call my wife and tell her the name of the cross streets and while she is starting to develop the same tone as Gypsy, the GPS lady, at least she loves me.

To be perfectly frank, I am still trying to learn how to use the cordless phones in our house. We have had them for 4 years, but I still haven't   figured out how I can lose three phones all at once and have to run around digging under chair cushions and checking bathrooms and the dirty laundry baskets when the phone rings.

The world is just getting too complex for me. They even mess me up every time I go to the grocery store. You would think they could settle on something themselves but this sudden "Paper or Plastic?" every time I check out just knocks me for a loop. I bought some of those cloth reusable bags to avoid looking confused, but I never remember to take them with me.

Now I toss it back to them. When they ask me, "Paper or Plastic?" I just say, "Doesn't matter to me. I am bi-sacksual." Then it's their turn to stare at me with a blank look. I was recently asked if I tweet. I answered, No, but I do fart a lot."

P,S - senior citizens don't need any more gadgets. 

The TV remote and the garage door remote are about all we need to handle.