Saturday, August 2, 2014
A doting father
Friday, August 1, 2014
How far is Singapore from Andhrapradesh?
How far is Singapore from Andhrapradesh is a obvious question! Mark the location you want either Vijayawada or Visakhapatnam on Google maps and get the distance. What is the question then?
The Cheif Minister of Andhrapradesh and his esteemed ministers keep talking about building another Singapore either as a capital city or a stand alone city in the newly formed state of Andhrapradesh. The obvious of Singapore that people visualize and get excited about is the tall buildings, neat and clean roads, technology infrastructure, tourist destinations, etc. It is very important for any leader to have a vision and paint pictures of future for its citizens.
What we all need to understand is what lies behind Singapore, its growth and what made the city/country one of the best countries to live in the world? For beginners, the population of Singapore and A.P is not comparable. We cannot build one singapore in an island with 50 lakhs population and let other cities dwell away in dirt and non-growth? For the land size and population, Singapore has very diverse occupations including manufacturing and financial services but very little agriculture.
To reach Singapore, we haave to start taking stock of our occupations, what we have and what we don't and what our underlying strategy for financial success of our own 'Singapore'..Singapore is not about buildings or infrastructure..even if it is, are we going to make our development one city centric again?
Cities like Singapore are built on clear cut vision and startegy and not just dreams...Strategically planning occupations based on the natural and human resources available and these resources linked to education(production) and Government. Singapore consists of more than 25% population born outside of Singapore which means they bring or take business 'from' singapore to their native country. (Import and exports). With very little dense population, it is easier to track all citizens and bring about sense of discipline.
Now, where do we start off in terms of corruption? How many decades will it take India or any small part of India to become non-corrupt with all the monies spent in elections? How can we inculcate discipline amongst our citizens? Where do we start off with the 'human' element that defines a country or a city?
It requires proper planning to develop one city into an IT hub or industrial hub. It is not enough for the Government to allocate land and invite industrialists. It requires proper policy and doing the right things first. We need to upgrade or modify/add support skills that requires an industry to run. The Government should bring the industry and education centers together to measure, estimate and develop skills required to make such IT cities or industrial hubs. New and creative programs to make the city affordable for the industrialists and employees is a must.
The list above is just a beginning -
I am not a pessimist, but an eternal optimist. I dream about great things for my country and love to improve the employablity for students comming out of colleges. However, I like to see the Government start off on our strenghts, have a practical strategy and direction to achieve what we have set out to -
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Brand Extension 2
This is my second note on 'brand extensions'. Brand extensions in politics are two ways. The first being extending one’s own brand from one field to politics- example of Chiranjeevi extending his brand from movies to politics and the second being expanding/extending a personal brand to their offspring/siblings.
The recent victory of Akhilesh Yadav's campaign in U.P and his new position as the new C.M of U.P is a brand extension of the later. Personal brand extensions should be dealt carefully. The negativity associated with the parent brand will be carried forward with the new extension. Akhilesh Yadav's has handled it like a 'pro'. He maintained his reverence to the party and party head by acknowledging his dad's knowledge and acumen in U.P politics while brining about the change required in recent times. He has not only talked about wiping off 'goonda' image of the party, but acted on it and refused seats for many of the aspirants with criminal records.
Another brand extension that is talked most in last few days and compared to Akhilesh Yadav is Y S Jagan. YSJ has formed his own party after his futile attempt to become the CM of Andhra Pradesh post his father's death. He has been touring the state of Andhra Pradesh consoling (Odarpu) people that died of news of his father's death when he and his mom are working hard to bring their party to power. Brand extensions work on 'continuity with change'..continuity of some good principles and 'change' towards modern times. Let's see how this is working in YSJ's case.
YSR has earnt acceptability in Congress party and political circles due to his presence in the political system for over 30 years and his struggle in various posts before he became the CM. On the other hand, YSJ has never taken to the politics or it's affairs until his dad became the CM. He has contested only in 2009. He clearly lacks the experience and struggle that his father garnered to become the CM. There is no extension of such good will here. However, he can credit himself with founding a party
YSR has projected himself to be a man of words and commitment. He has paved way for all his followers and friends even if he had to bend the rules or break them. YSJ is trying to project such image through his Odarpu yatra. He is trying to cash on the image that his father built on this point. People may trust him on this point.
YSR had a personal charisma by the way he dressed like a true Telugu person in dhoti and ‘kanduva’. YSJ on the other hand is trying to imitate his father's smiles, gestures and his blessings (though not suitable for his age). The personal association that one feels with YSR from his 'looks' is not extended here. There is nothing significant in the way that he presents himself that can bring personal association with YSJ. This may not be very relevant in the big picture, but an important factor as long as he tries to project himself as an extension to his father.
YSR's electoral skills were excellent and nurtured through experience. His ability to manage party men and the way he connected to his loyalists was unmatched in the party. It looks like there is good chance that YSJ must have picked up on that.
YSR gave personal attention to his loyalists and went any extend to support them. His visit to the jail to grant pardon to a criminal was one such example. On the other hand, YSJ doesn't have the ability to connect personally with his party men and loyalists. Apparently he doesn’t maintain personal rapport with many people in the party. You don't see him praise anyone except his dad or mom. When the situation came to save his friends, he distanced himself from them. When Gali Janardhana Reddy was arrested, he refused to be associated with him. He has definitely distanced his industrialist loyalists.
YSJ is trying desperately to cash on YSR's brand of populist schemes and minority backing. There is NO clear strategy or explanation on what YSR would have done or how their party would handled such a financial crunch time. He is trying to convince people that YSR would have continued the schemes no matter what. He may be doing a good job of this.
There is a huge resentment from people towards Congress party about corruption scandals and lack of governmental support towards common man's problems. The young and fire brand image that YSJ projects is a huge winning stride for him. He is pretty much the only one in the country that criticizes Sonia Gandhi on a personal level. Timing of his dis-association with the Congress party couldn’t be better. He is riding and cashing on anti congress wave with his youth and ability to criticize congress party.
The 'newness' or ‘change’ required of the brand is not seen in organizing the party or newness of the policies and approach (compare to Akhilesh Yadav). The newness is limited to starting a party and youthfulness. I think this will be the biggest challenge for YSJ. What newness can he offer? He has gone too far with his father’s image.
Political leaders make personal mistakes when they are riding on a high. YSJ is at the peak of his popularity now in the state. The future of him and his party depends on
• How much he can convince people that he is very different than the Congress party
• His ability to manage his party infrastructure when elections roll out in the entire state or country.
Chiranjeevi's PRP had cut into fortunes of TDP in 2009 and failure of Chirajeevi's brand extension into politics damaged his original brand. YSJ's brand extension success or failure in the next 2 years will determine the fortunes of Congress, TDP and also YSRCP.
The party spirit is at all time high with YSR's statues installed everywhere in the state. Typically, after initial excitement is over, reality sinks into voters. In the long run if the statues are going to be a reminder of populist schemes or of severe corruption leading to national waste of resources determines the future of YSJ and his party. The decision by Akhilesh Yadav to retain all statues of Mayawati in U.P is a brilliant stroke of genius to remind people of national waste..brand recollection good or bad is the key.
The recent victory of Akhilesh Yadav's campaign in U.P and his new position as the new C.M of U.P is a brand extension of the later. Personal brand extensions should be dealt carefully. The negativity associated with the parent brand will be carried forward with the new extension. Akhilesh Yadav's has handled it like a 'pro'. He maintained his reverence to the party and party head by acknowledging his dad's knowledge and acumen in U.P politics while brining about the change required in recent times. He has not only talked about wiping off 'goonda' image of the party, but acted on it and refused seats for many of the aspirants with criminal records.
Another brand extension that is talked most in last few days and compared to Akhilesh Yadav is Y S Jagan. YSJ has formed his own party after his futile attempt to become the CM of Andhra Pradesh post his father's death. He has been touring the state of Andhra Pradesh consoling (Odarpu) people that died of news of his father's death when he and his mom are working hard to bring their party to power. Brand extensions work on 'continuity with change'..continuity of some good principles and 'change' towards modern times. Let's see how this is working in YSJ's case.
YSR has earnt acceptability in Congress party and political circles due to his presence in the political system for over 30 years and his struggle in various posts before he became the CM. On the other hand, YSJ has never taken to the politics or it's affairs until his dad became the CM. He has contested only in 2009. He clearly lacks the experience and struggle that his father garnered to become the CM. There is no extension of such good will here. However, he can credit himself with founding a party
YSR has projected himself to be a man of words and commitment. He has paved way for all his followers and friends even if he had to bend the rules or break them. YSJ is trying to project such image through his Odarpu yatra. He is trying to cash on the image that his father built on this point. People may trust him on this point.
YSR had a personal charisma by the way he dressed like a true Telugu person in dhoti and ‘kanduva’. YSJ on the other hand is trying to imitate his father's smiles, gestures and his blessings (though not suitable for his age). The personal association that one feels with YSR from his 'looks' is not extended here. There is nothing significant in the way that he presents himself that can bring personal association with YSJ. This may not be very relevant in the big picture, but an important factor as long as he tries to project himself as an extension to his father.
YSR's electoral skills were excellent and nurtured through experience. His ability to manage party men and the way he connected to his loyalists was unmatched in the party. It looks like there is good chance that YSJ must have picked up on that.
YSR gave personal attention to his loyalists and went any extend to support them. His visit to the jail to grant pardon to a criminal was one such example. On the other hand, YSJ doesn't have the ability to connect personally with his party men and loyalists. Apparently he doesn’t maintain personal rapport with many people in the party. You don't see him praise anyone except his dad or mom. When the situation came to save his friends, he distanced himself from them. When Gali Janardhana Reddy was arrested, he refused to be associated with him. He has definitely distanced his industrialist loyalists.
YSJ is trying desperately to cash on YSR's brand of populist schemes and minority backing. There is NO clear strategy or explanation on what YSR would have done or how their party would handled such a financial crunch time. He is trying to convince people that YSR would have continued the schemes no matter what. He may be doing a good job of this.
There is a huge resentment from people towards Congress party about corruption scandals and lack of governmental support towards common man's problems. The young and fire brand image that YSJ projects is a huge winning stride for him. He is pretty much the only one in the country that criticizes Sonia Gandhi on a personal level. Timing of his dis-association with the Congress party couldn’t be better. He is riding and cashing on anti congress wave with his youth and ability to criticize congress party.
The 'newness' or ‘change’ required of the brand is not seen in organizing the party or newness of the policies and approach (compare to Akhilesh Yadav). The newness is limited to starting a party and youthfulness. I think this will be the biggest challenge for YSJ. What newness can he offer? He has gone too far with his father’s image.
Political leaders make personal mistakes when they are riding on a high. YSJ is at the peak of his popularity now in the state. The future of him and his party depends on
• How much he can convince people that he is very different than the Congress party
• His ability to manage his party infrastructure when elections roll out in the entire state or country.
Chiranjeevi's PRP had cut into fortunes of TDP in 2009 and failure of Chirajeevi's brand extension into politics damaged his original brand. YSJ's brand extension success or failure in the next 2 years will determine the fortunes of Congress, TDP and also YSRCP.
The party spirit is at all time high with YSR's statues installed everywhere in the state. Typically, after initial excitement is over, reality sinks into voters. In the long run if the statues are going to be a reminder of populist schemes or of severe corruption leading to national waste of resources determines the future of YSJ and his party. The decision by Akhilesh Yadav to retain all statues of Mayawati in U.P is a brilliant stroke of genius to remind people of national waste..brand recollection good or bad is the key.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Youth empowerment
Today's youth are the future of our country.They are going to be future policy makers, economists, leaders of our country..They are going to form significant part of the consumer base in our Country and a base that will change the political future as well...
Is our youth ready for the changes and challenges. Are they empowered with the knowledge, the character and the discipline? Do they have enough dreams to change their destiny and our country's? Do they dare to dream the impossible? Is the information age giving them enough knowledge and information or making them lazy? The sociology-economic changes making them more grounded or rude? The challenges int he society making them more enthused or de-motivated? The unethical dramas in the society making them more principled or setting the stage for more corruption/unethical path for the future?
Let me present my thoughts in Youth Empowerment series...
Is our youth ready for the changes and challenges. Are they empowered with the knowledge, the character and the discipline? Do they have enough dreams to change their destiny and our country's? Do they dare to dream the impossible? Is the information age giving them enough knowledge and information or making them lazy? The sociology-economic changes making them more grounded or rude? The challenges int he society making them more enthused or de-motivated? The unethical dramas in the society making them more principled or setting the stage for more corruption/unethical path for the future?
Let me present my thoughts in Youth Empowerment series...
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Nationalization of 'Factionists' assets
TV9 - Telugu has captions comming up now and then..kind of their Tag lines..I saw yesterday " Factionists properties/assets should be nationalized".. Its been a habit of media especially TV9 to give some fancy one liners and give an impression that they care..
To begin with how can one define a 'factionist'? IS there a true factionist today? Most of them are disguised as business men and politicians. Some of them are so called popular leaders are biggest factionists who are amassing huge assets and literally looting the country and its citizens...
On top of it...Government who is responsible for protecting national/natural resources is colluding with people who are amassing such wealth by not sharing profits/revenue with the country appropriately. Government should bring in strict rules/regulations to feicerly protect natural resources and create laws to protect revenue/profit that is generated out of such resources.
The current Government is supporting and parterning with businessmen/factionists who are doing such lootery. Today, factionism is "required" to loot these resources and make such profits. Ethical busniness leaders like TATA's are not in such businessses since they cannot resort to such means.
TV9 instead of researching such a huge issue and educating the masses on how seriously we are being looted by such politicians and their supporters comes up with filmy/good to see comments and pave way for irresponsible journalism. Media should bring in pressure on the Government to act responsibly with proper solution and not loosely defined terms.
To begin with how can one define a 'factionist'? IS there a true factionist today? Most of them are disguised as business men and politicians. Some of them are so called popular leaders are biggest factionists who are amassing huge assets and literally looting the country and its citizens...
On top of it...Government who is responsible for protecting national/natural resources is colluding with people who are amassing such wealth by not sharing profits/revenue with the country appropriately. Government should bring in strict rules/regulations to feicerly protect natural resources and create laws to protect revenue/profit that is generated out of such resources.
The current Government is supporting and parterning with businessmen/factionists who are doing such lootery. Today, factionism is "required" to loot these resources and make such profits. Ethical busniness leaders like TATA's are not in such businessses since they cannot resort to such means.
TV9 instead of researching such a huge issue and educating the masses on how seriously we are being looted by such politicians and their supporters comes up with filmy/good to see comments and pave way for irresponsible journalism. Media should bring in pressure on the Government to act responsibly with proper solution and not loosely defined terms.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Hindu Swami's and scandals
The recent outburst of scandals on 3 or more Swami's including Swami Nitaynanda and Kalki Bhagawan is a shame.
The timing of the scandals and the way in which these scandals were published leaves no doubt that it is a planned attack on these institutions. Being a staunch Hindu and a person who visits Swami's for preachings, this was a big blow to my confidence in them.
Particularly about Swami Nityananda, after the sex video, as series of allegations including murder and land occupation were seen on the TV. Swami has later on (after 10 days!) cleared the air about murder mystery and land occupation, both of them which seem like fabrication and not facts.
The thing that disappointed/impressed me the most was his answer on the video that he hasn't done anything illegal and that he was served/taken care by that woman and may be parts of it were fabricated.. I was impressed because he used the right words of "illegal".. implying that even he was physically involved with the woman, it is nothing illegal and there was No force used in the process.
I am utterly dis-appointed that it looks like parts of the video is true and I fully believe that No force would have been used on this woman or any woman. Everything must be on "free will". Swami's , particularly the ones wearing orange (Kaashayam) are supposed to have renounced all material pleasures including sex. The general perception/belief is that they have mastered all indriyas and can help others (normal people like us) detach ourselves from these attractions and seek path to renouncement. Each swami shows different paths and tools like meditation, yoga, etc.
Though I agree that it is a gross invasion on Swami's privacy in the name of media, the fact that all these things are very much part of his life and in a secretive manner (not that other people have sex publicly..) is a shock and dis-appointment. Masters need not behave as if they have renounced everything... Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is a best example of being a master and who lived with his wife who served him and followed him and lead him in his journey.. His organizations are still thriving without any scandals decades after him..
There are lot of GURU's that wear white or any other colors and imply that they may not have renounced everything... sets a better expectation..
The interviews that followed the event and his explanation that abstinence is what he thinks that suit him and the same video confessing that he may be present in parts of the act...are disgusting to the least..
I hope the Swami's come up with better expectations with people seeking knowledge and live up to the rules set forth by them..the concept of GURU becomes an illusion/disappointment otherwise.
The timing of the scandals and the way in which these scandals were published leaves no doubt that it is a planned attack on these institutions. Being a staunch Hindu and a person who visits Swami's for preachings, this was a big blow to my confidence in them.
Particularly about Swami Nityananda, after the sex video, as series of allegations including murder and land occupation were seen on the TV. Swami has later on (after 10 days!) cleared the air about murder mystery and land occupation, both of them which seem like fabrication and not facts.
The thing that disappointed/impressed me the most was his answer on the video that he hasn't done anything illegal and that he was served/taken care by that woman and may be parts of it were fabricated.. I was impressed because he used the right words of "illegal".. implying that even he was physically involved with the woman, it is nothing illegal and there was No force used in the process.
I am utterly dis-appointed that it looks like parts of the video is true and I fully believe that No force would have been used on this woman or any woman. Everything must be on "free will". Swami's , particularly the ones wearing orange (Kaashayam) are supposed to have renounced all material pleasures including sex. The general perception/belief is that they have mastered all indriyas and can help others (normal people like us) detach ourselves from these attractions and seek path to renouncement. Each swami shows different paths and tools like meditation, yoga, etc.
Though I agree that it is a gross invasion on Swami's privacy in the name of media, the fact that all these things are very much part of his life and in a secretive manner (not that other people have sex publicly..) is a shock and dis-appointment. Masters need not behave as if they have renounced everything... Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is a best example of being a master and who lived with his wife who served him and followed him and lead him in his journey.. His organizations are still thriving without any scandals decades after him..
There are lot of GURU's that wear white or any other colors and imply that they may not have renounced everything... sets a better expectation..
The interviews that followed the event and his explanation that abstinence is what he thinks that suit him and the same video confessing that he may be present in parts of the act...are disgusting to the least..
I hope the Swami's come up with better expectations with people seeking knowledge and live up to the rules set forth by them..the concept of GURU becomes an illusion/disappointment otherwise.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
News Channels - A drawing room watch or not!!
The recent stories rather videos of Swamy Nityananda and the other two Swamy's is quite disturbing to parents who watch news channels with children. AndhraJyothi and a few other channels kept telecasting the videos of so called Swamy Nityananda's sexual involvement with an actress along with liquor and drugs (may be)!!
One, I am irritated to see the same video again and agin repeated untill it lost its meaning. For this discussion, I want to keep away - if this video is true..how safe are our ashram's and swamy's? Where does it begin and end? lets just leave that aside for now..
Seriously, it feels that the channels donot do any research before they telecast any such videos'? Is media accountable for transmitting any wrong videos? (If it is a fabricated video). Even if it were true, can the news channels invade any popular person's privacy by giving anyone a video camera and paying a sex worker to seduce the popular one. As long as somebody is not cheating anyone or committing anything illegal, do they have the right to protect their privacy?
The ability to look into anyone's personal lives in the name of "media" without proper regulations and legislation definitions becomes a dangerous proposition. They can blackmail literally anyone.
Media on the other hand should figure out a better of brining these things to light without loosing the sanctity of such news and making it acceptable to watch in everyone's drawing room!!
The world is entangled in so many serious problems like global warming, food crisis, culture crisis and severe corruption at every level. Media can cover wonderfull stories and enlighten everyone of their viewers rather than repeating sex scandals for 24 hours again and again...
One, I am irritated to see the same video again and agin repeated untill it lost its meaning. For this discussion, I want to keep away - if this video is true..how safe are our ashram's and swamy's? Where does it begin and end? lets just leave that aside for now..
Seriously, it feels that the channels donot do any research before they telecast any such videos'? Is media accountable for transmitting any wrong videos? (If it is a fabricated video). Even if it were true, can the news channels invade any popular person's privacy by giving anyone a video camera and paying a sex worker to seduce the popular one. As long as somebody is not cheating anyone or committing anything illegal, do they have the right to protect their privacy?
The ability to look into anyone's personal lives in the name of "media" without proper regulations and legislation definitions becomes a dangerous proposition. They can blackmail literally anyone.
Media on the other hand should figure out a better of brining these things to light without loosing the sanctity of such news and making it acceptable to watch in everyone's drawing room!!
The world is entangled in so many serious problems like global warming, food crisis, culture crisis and severe corruption at every level. Media can cover wonderfull stories and enlighten everyone of their viewers rather than repeating sex scandals for 24 hours again and again...
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