Beaten up By Teenagers

What do you do when you are standing in a long queue and someone breaks the queue?

What do you do when there is a traffic jam, vehicles are all lined up but one smart four wheeler guy overtakes and goes in front, making a mockery of people who are patiently waiting in line.

Most of the times, i have taken liberty to get out of my comfort zone and question them. Ask them whether what they are doing is right?

Today, in Marathahalli to Munekolalu road, i did the same to a Maruti 800 car guy. It turned out that they were the local Reddy boys! They came back, hunted me and asked who am I to question them.
They were so pissed off for questioning them that they became violent with me. I was in their territory and they would not listen to me.

The goons managed to get more people on their side and bash me up.  I had severe injury on my upper lip with a cut which bled. Left temporal region bruises and my head still aches.

My colleagues who were there on the conference call alerted the police. The police came, rounded them up, also put them in a jeep.

The people of Munnekolulu surrounded me and started pleading that I should not register an FIR at police station. They in fact brain washed me into not taking the matter to police station as all of them were young teenage boys and it was their first mistake.

I was torn between sending them to police station versus succumbing to the pleads of the local people saying that their future will get spoilt if they are taken to the police station.

Except for one who beat me, the others apologized. But did i see remorse on their face?

I don't think so. Will they not bash up any other person just for stopping them or questioning their activities?

Teenage brain is different, that is what i am reading now. It does not have the requisite neural connections and myelin sheath to make them responsible. But should that be an excuse to let them go off the hook?

Did they learn a lesson for assaulting me grievously?

I am still torn. As much as i strongly believe that to forgive it requires more strength, i question, who benefits by that.

Is my ego hurt? Should I not be questioning the wrong things which happen around me?

Should I not be getting out of my comfort zone?

What will be my reaction when someone is getting beaten on the road?

Well, why should i interfere, let me get on with my work.

We all are contributors to crime by tolerating it and silently suffering. We have lost the voice to question wrongdoings.


Is survival not more important? Much better to be silent and get on with our work.

What should we be teaching our children?

To do good, be right but be silent when you something wrong being done?

The Teen Brain: It's Just Not Grown Up Yet

Failing To Act or Waiting To Act Rightly!!

Just few minutes back saw a group of children, who were picking plastic and other useful items from roadside and garbage. They must not have been more than 12-13 years old.
I wanted to stop and converse with them, to understand them, but i drove on rationalizing what would i be doing even if i understand there problems. What would i have asked? Whether they attend any kind of school? What do their parents do? Where are they from? Do they not want to go back to school?

They are kids and would probably like to school but keeping their perceived freedom intact. They would also want to earn the money which they are able to generate now.

Will my advice on importance of education go down their throat? Even if it does, how will they act on it?

What is my role? How do i facilitate their journey?

There are lot of NGO's, good people, government schemes working in this area, do i connect to them. Make them aware of the resources available to them.

Yes, i think partly, I know the answer. Knowledge is power, knowledge stems from information. If i am able to give them requisite information and knowledge it will be a begining.

My dream of becoming an entrepreneur and having no child labor is ultimate one. It will be achieved, but i need not wait for that to be effective. I can also make a difference now and here.

I will make a difference.

Surviving Versus Living-The Good and Bad of Life

Surviving Versus Living

We Indians are tolerant by nature. We tolerate match fixing, corruption, inequality and almost everything. We are on our path to nirvana. Moksha is our goal. But in our journey let us pay heed to few things. Let us learn from others. 

We all strive to survive. The lucky ones get a job, meaningful work, somebody to love and be loved, a family and we carry on. We search for meaning in our activities and are happy when we find it. We have adapted to survive.

When confronted with uncomfortable situations we evaluate the cost to self, family and take a pragmatic decision most of the time. There are times when we flounder but we get back to living the median life. Few recent instances, why recent-instances throughout history make me wonder and question few basic assumptions. Are we born only to achieve our own salvation? This could be either in pursuit of knowledge, wealth, materialistic conquests or nirvana! We use family, friends, and colleagues to facilitate this journey of discovery-whichever path we take. Everyone helps the other in this journey.

The problem arises when we become greedy. But what does greedy mean? Consuming more than what one produces? It is not greed but the route we take to satisfy the greed which becomes dangerous and detrimental to self and others. We have uncanny ability to justify our actions. We may justify it in the name of larger good, good of the family, good of the organization, good of the country, good of the mankind.

To believe in the theory of efficient market is tempting. Market correction comes at a huge cost.  Is this an inevitable price to pay? As humans can’t we change? Can’t we up our ante and reduce the acceptance of collateral damage? Fight the battle of corruption, ineptitude, mediocre living.

Let me give examples for this rambling.

1.       Pharmaceutical industry has done great good to human beings. Many killer diseases are maimed with help of potent drugs. But there is a dark side also. Data manipulation, shoddy research, publication bias, unethical marketing. Ranbaxy-an Indian drug company paid fines for criminal charges to FDA. The list goes deeper. Last year, five pharmaceutical companies agreed to pay nearly $5.5 billion to resolve U.S. Department of Justice allegations of fraudulent marketing practices, including the promotion of medicines for uses that were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. If you take last 10 years, 30 years, the numbers will be staggering. Do not wish to be a cynic. Basically believe in the goodness of human beings but at individual level we are gullible and malleable. If you want to read more....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_pharmaceutical_settlements

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikakelton/2012/05/10/more-pharma-companies-to-join-the-dishonor-roll-pay-billions-for-fraud-following-abbotts-settlement/

http://projects.propublica.org/graphics/bigpharma

http://www.wanttoknow.info/pharmaceuticalcorruptionmediaarticles

2.       Banks and innovation in commerce, economics has been the backbone of all development. The emergence of capital and deployment of the same to the entrepreneurs unleashed the unlimited potential of all fields. For good or bad, the financial world and its machinations are intrinsically woven into each and everyone’s life. But again we are at the mercy of unseen, uncontrollable forces. Manipulations, greed and superior sense of belief in finance can create havoc and cause damage to human lives more than spurious drugs, war or any imaginable terror.  Financial terror is the most potent of all. It has the best brains at its disposal for this task. Apologize for the generalization, there are good guys and therefore we exist!!

a.       Bank fines top $10 billion last year. http://money.cnn.com/2012/12/28/news/companies/bank-fines/index.html

b.      10 Biggest Banking Scandals of 2012. http://www.forbes.com/sites/halahtouryalai/2012/12/27/10-biggest-banking-scandals-of-2012/

c.       Everything is Rigged: The Biggest Price Fixing Scandal Ever

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/everything-is-rigged-the-biggest-financial-scandal-yet-20130425

d.      An interesting blog read about banking fraud.

http://criminalbankingmonopoly.wordpress.com/tag/banking-fraud/

3.       We all have to live. To live we need food, water, and other basic amenities. Our ability to survive has improved with aid of all the tools we have created. Organizations –large, medium and small are all required. They employ us, sell goods to us and allow the world to keep moving. We are all happy to be in this age of consumerism. We will find solution to all our problems. But there are some dark corners on which we need to shed light once in a while.

Apple ,Google, Amazon legally did not pay taxes to tune of trillion dollars/Euros exploiting the laws. People may justify saying that they create more employment than government and that there is nothing wrong in them maximizing their skills. They are doing a favor to shareholders and future consumers. Larger good! But there are many who break the rules, disregard the norms and cause damage.

a.       Tech companies which have paid fines. http://www.siliconindia.com/news/technology/9-Tech-Companies-Who-Paid-Biggest-Fines-In-History-nid-144122-cid-2.html

b.      Fines paid by General Electric (GE) for various reasons. http://multinationalmonitor.org/mm2001/01july-august/julyaug01corp4.html

http://www.crocodyl.org/wiki/general_electric

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/05/business/05electric.html?_r=0

c.       Siemens paid a huge fine in 2008 but has reformed after that. http://blogs.wsj.com/riskandcompliance/2013/04/01/qa-peter-solmssen-of-siemens/

d.      Walmart for its own internal problems. http://blogs.wsj.com/riskandcompliance/2013/04/01/qa-peter-solmssen-of-siemens/

The outsourcing problems as the bad manufacturing and living conditions are somewhere else. This can also be justified saying that they at least got employment and there were dollars saved. The tragedy that happened in garment factory located in Bangladesh. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/walmart-bangladesh-factory-fire

e.      We owe a lot to oil companies. From fuel to plastics to pharmaceuticals we are all dependent on them. But….Gulf Of Mexico disaster. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/feb/21/bp-oil-spill-gulf-mexico-fines

http://www.propublica.org/blog/item/oil-companies-pay-a-pittance-in-penalties-to-offshore-drilling-regulator

Probably I can compile a bigger list. Name even more reputed and collapsed companies, individuals, countries which have broken the trust placed in them. Talk about genocide, mafia, drugs, human trafficking etc.

So what point am I making? Whistleblowers are good. Each one of us needs to start living. Becoming active in areas which we understand and where we can create awareness. Our perceptions and beliefs may be wrong. We may have been fooled by data and information but we need to ask questions. We need to live and just not survive.

 Let us learn to grow meaningfully, sustainably, and cohesively. Growth need not come at a cost which is painful. We need to realign our vision, mission.

The larger good triumphs but it needs soldiers.

Ranbaxy-The Criminal

Trust a basic essential thing can get eroded and undermine the best of relationship. We function in a society based on the premise of trust.

We trust our government, our doctors, organizations and regulators.

Ranbaxy a pharmaceutical company producing generics has consistently produced drugs with fabricated data and put at risk many lives.

It is still in business under new owner Daiichi Sankyo. The old owners and executives have remained untouched.

When one can get away with fraud, crime, it affects everyone.

Oh! Sorry if i have been ambiguous. Emotions have made me angry and sick! Few things which Ranbaxy has done:

"Last week, Ranbaxy Pharma, which is now owned by Japan's Diiachi Sankyo, pleaded guilty to criminal charges of manufacturing and distributing certain adulterated drugs manufactured at its two Indian facilities of Paonta Sahib and Dewas, while agreeing to a $500-millon settlement."

Disgusting!

If you want to read more...

http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2013/05/15/ranbaxy-fraud-lipitor/

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/healthcare/biotech/pharmaceuticals/ranbaxy-episode-to-hit-drugs-carrying-india-label-tough-to-secure-new-contracts/articleshow/20184181.cms

Police Brutality-Aligarh

In one of my previous post had mentioned about the officers who were killed for doing their job, you can read it here.

Today I look at the other end. I am disturbed, aghast at the misuse of power. Power corrupts. It probably also numbs our empathy. Look at the video below to understand what i am talking about...

Where does such brutality come from? What happens to our brain under pressure? What happens to all the rational thoughts when confronted? 

Have heard and read about more brutal and heinous acts by people in power. There is no justification whatsoever for such brutal acts. 

Empathy gets killed as one tastes power for a long period. 

If i have to feel empathy for the police force what would it take? Are they frustrated to such extent in their job? Do they feel powerless and helpless most of the time as they have to deal with criminals and corrupt politicians? 

Guess they are under great stress for not being able to do their duty. All police officers probably join to help the society. To get rid of the ills and keep crime away. But soon they realize the difference between what they aspired to do and what they can probably do. Few try to be upright and fight the criminalization of the system but end up as martyrs. Few smart ones probably balance the act. I am conjuring all this !!

But the majority are underpaid, frustrated and hate themselves for not being true to their dreams. They loathe themselves for being corrupt. This frustration is let out on the hapless beings like women and children.

Let me reiterate, whatever may be the reason, they do not have the right to trample the rights of another human being. Brutality of any degree is unacceptable from anybody on anybody.

How do we build a society which feels and shows compassion? How do we ensure empathy is converted into concrete actions?

How do we educate ourselves and our children that under pressure, under attack we are not to hurt the helpless, weak. If we have to win battles, it is to be against the strong. 

Why We Fail!! Honesty. Officers Killed For Doing Their Duty.

I used to be a fan of market dynamics. A theory that markets corrects itself over a period of time. I used to believe that human beings are rational.
Behavioral economics and self-reflection have shattered these thoughts. We are not rational. We misplace our anger and misdirect our efforts. Brain is structured like that!!
A year back "Anna Hazare" had great sway and we all responded with great vigor. Today Anna is no more in scene. Kejriwal has separated from Anna. Politicians have cleverly used "Divide and Rule" to nullify this emerging force which had got united in the name of corruption.
Such is our nature that we disregard the individuals who are doing honest, good work. Some have also been killed in the process. They get a brief mention. The media does not highlight them!! Public do not make candle light marches or hold dharnas. Let me illustrate with the following examples.

1. Ashok Khemka-apparently a honest civil servant gets transferred again. So far at least no hue and cry. He brought to light the dealings between DLF and Robert Vadra.  http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ias-officer-ashok-khemka-transferred-again-after-robert-vadra-row/1097699/

2. Zia-Ul-haq-got murdered. He was an IPS officer. Professorial hazard!! He dared to work.
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/murdered-up-cop-zia-ul-haque-had-prepared-list-of-cases-against-raja-bhaiya-340648

3. Sand and mining mafia routinely kill officers. "March 09, 2012: A young IPS officer of the 2009 batch, Narendra Kumar, posted in Madhya Pradesh's Morena district, was brutally crushed to death under a stone-laden tractor trolley belonging to the illegal mining mafia.

The ghastly killing happened in Banmur industrial town, when the officer, who was on patrol in his official jeep, noticed a tractor-trolley loaded with stones following which he overtook it and signalled the driver to stop it.

June 11, 2012: A policeman was killed in Faridabad when truck loaded with sand allegedly ran over him. The incident was suspected to be the work of sand mafia in the area. The constable Mahaveer Singh was run over by the dumper truck after he tried to stop it near Palla chowk. The cop was on nakabandi duty following a tip-off about the sand mafia.

More from http://post.jagran.com/honesty-kills-officers-who-fell-prey-for-exposing-corruption-1362381864.

December 11, 2012: Paulose Thomas, an expert consultant for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), was found dead in his apartment in Coimbatore. His family was first told that he had suffered a cardiac arrest. Then they were informed that he had hanged himself. But the autopsy report ruled out suicide or cardiac arrest, confirming a case of murder instead. Police are yet to identify any irregularities in the NHAI road widening project which the victim was engaged in.

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/honesty-can-get-you-killed/article2978808.ece

4. Yaswant Sonawane, the additional district collector of Nashik district in Maharashtra, was burnt to death for exposing oil adulteration mafia. If the country is shocked, students are anguished. They want to know how can a common man dare to report a crime when this is the fate of a gazetted officer.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-31/mysore/28357237_1_mba-student-oil-adulteration-mafia-common-man

Few years back had mentioned about Manjunath, here it is http://rangdeindia.blogspot.in/2006/03/remembering-manjunath.html

We are not bothered about the rape of mother earth. We hardly acknowledge heroes who try to protect us and mother earth.

I am also a culprit. I am also responsible for inaction, apathy.  Need to act. Cannot wait for "The Invisible Hand" to correct things.

Appeasement

We as a nation are becoming hypocritical. Our senses are not with us. Leaders have lost all kind of rational thinking. Otherwise how do you explain a person like Dr.Manmohan Singh making a comment that the first right on resources is by Muslims.
If you want to improve some one, do by all means but by not making others inferior.
As a nation, we are hell bent about changing the yardstick of success. We may not feel the repercussions today but surely we will.
Will India ever have a revolution?