These days movies have become a great source of attraction for young boys and girls. They are rather crazy for films and film – stars. They know more about these film – stars than about their great men of the past and the present. They can do without their meals, but they cannot forego the latest movie. A cinema house attracts more people than a temple does. Young boys and girls in particular are mad after pictures.
There is a lot of hustle and bustle in front of a cinema hall. On one side there is a thick crowd standing in a queue pushing and elbowing one another. On the other side rich persons in the best of clothes stand near the booking window where there is a heavy rush. Various types of people besiege the cinema house and are very anxious to go inside. Gatekeepers stand at every gate to check tickets. The sound of the horns never ceases. Rich people pour in with cars and scooters and middle class people in rickshaws or on cycles. The riff – raff come on foot and shout, clap and hiss. Policemen move to and fro to control the traffic.
It is seen in front of a cinema hall that till the last minute people continue rushing in. some go in and occupy their seats and others stand in the open and indulge in gossips. It appears from their faces that they have more knowledge of human nature than does a full day in a library. A cinema hall is a human museum or a fir of human faces with different dresses and belonging to different walks of life. The scene is so busy, tempting and exciting that none feels bored there.
A few persons manage to get a large number of tickets and sell them at high prices. There is none to check this black. Marketing even in cinema houses. The great rush of people offers a good opportunity for the pick – pockets. Even the eve – teasers have a busy time. Sometimes a few ever – teasers receive a sound beating from the people.
Friday, October 3, 2008
My Favourite Leader
Our country has produced a galaxy of thinkers and theoreticians, but there have been very few who have translated theory into practice and converted promise into performance. The life and work of Sardar Patel, whose forty – seventy death anniversary was observed on December 15 lst year show that “things are revolutionized not by creating revolutions on the streets but by achieving practical solutions to the existing problems”. In these days, when virtually India is writing another disappointed story of disorder and disarray in its beleaguered history; it is of paramount importance that the nation’s attention should be invited to Sardar Patel’s concrete and constructive contribution in various areas of Indian polity and administration. Sardar Patelji, the first Home Minister of free India, was a remarkable personality and he is my favourite leader for his innumerable qualities.
There is no one in modern India who has achieved so much in so many directions and in such a short time as Sardar Patel. At the time of his death, the Manchester Guardian wrote that without Patel, Gandhiji’s ideas would have less practical influence and Nehru’s idealism less scope. He was not only the organizer of the fight for freedom but also the arcthitect of the new state when the fight was over. The same man is seldom successful both as rebel and statesman. Sardar Patel was an exception. We learn from his life that it is the constructive work alone that can inject meaning into the veins of history and civilization. The great questions of the day are not settled by speeches and slogans but by sound and solid actions just like did by Sardar Patel in his life.
One of the greatest triumphs in real sense of realism and responsibility of Sardar Patel was integration of over 500 princely states. In respect of this great task, he has often been compared with Chancellor Bismarck who unified Germany in the late nineteenth century. But Sardar Patel’s achievements are far more remarkable than that of Bismarck. The latter had to deal with only a dozen states in comparison to 561 dealt with by Sardar Patel. Patelji brought about a bloodless revolution as compared to the policy of ‘blood & iron’ of Bismarck. He showed an amazing capacity to size up men and moments and to strike when the iron was hot. His efforts resulted in adding of about eighty thousand square kilometers of land to the Indian Union.
Sardar Patel’s great contribution was warmly recognized by both Gandhiji and Lord Mountbatten. Gandhiji observed about Patelji : “The task of dealing with the princes was truly formidable, but I am convinced that the Sardar was the only person who could have coped with it”. In a letter written by Lord Mountbatten to Patelji, it said “There is no doubt that by far the most important achievement of the present government is unification of the states into the Dominion of India. Had you failed in this, the results would have been disastrous. But since you succeeded, no one can see the disastrous consequences that you avoided. Nothing has added to the prestige of the present Government more than the brilliant policy you have followed with the states”.
Sardar Patelji first formulated the great design for a well-knit India and then proceeded to materialize it on the ground. He aroused the patriotic sentiments of the princes and remind them : “We are at a momentous stage in the history of India. By a common endeavour, we can raise the country to a new greatness, while lack of unity will expose us to fresh calamities”. At the same time, he took care not to allow any grass to grow underneath his feet. Patel was accused for sometime for being anti – Muslim. Unfortunately, in the present day India, this accusation has to be faced by all those who are the real benefactors of the Muslims but who have the courage and commitment of calling a spade a spade, and making a distinction between appeasement and fairness.
The approach followed by Patel was direct and dynamic. He often combined his morning walk with the inspection of the streets of the city. Taking clue from Sardar Patel’s solid and selfless work in the streets of Ahmedabad, Gandhiji advised the municipal councilors all over the country for not seeking honours or indulge in mutual rivalries, but, he advised them to have real spirit of service and convert themselves into unpaid sweepers and roadmakers and above all take pride in doing so. Patel was an embodiment of probity in public life. The only property he left comprised a few dhotis and kurtas and a suitcase. He did not tolerate malfeasance anywhere. Even a minor impropriety by his partymen was sternly dealt with. Patel constructed a model which solved many of the acute problems of sanitation, health, water supply, waste disposal and traffic.
Today our country is facing a serious threat to its integrity in which administration is collapsing and terrorism is extending its tentacles right from the State of Kashmir to the other end of Coimbatore. At such times, it is essential for the nation particularly the ruling elite to remember the teaching and approach of Sardar patel and ward off the coming anarchy. I still love to read books written by Sardar Patel and get inspiration from his achievements and teachings. I wish that the present leaders must take a cue from his books and make ways for the prosperity of the nation.
There is no one in modern India who has achieved so much in so many directions and in such a short time as Sardar Patel. At the time of his death, the Manchester Guardian wrote that without Patel, Gandhiji’s ideas would have less practical influence and Nehru’s idealism less scope. He was not only the organizer of the fight for freedom but also the arcthitect of the new state when the fight was over. The same man is seldom successful both as rebel and statesman. Sardar Patel was an exception. We learn from his life that it is the constructive work alone that can inject meaning into the veins of history and civilization. The great questions of the day are not settled by speeches and slogans but by sound and solid actions just like did by Sardar Patel in his life.
One of the greatest triumphs in real sense of realism and responsibility of Sardar Patel was integration of over 500 princely states. In respect of this great task, he has often been compared with Chancellor Bismarck who unified Germany in the late nineteenth century. But Sardar Patel’s achievements are far more remarkable than that of Bismarck. The latter had to deal with only a dozen states in comparison to 561 dealt with by Sardar Patel. Patelji brought about a bloodless revolution as compared to the policy of ‘blood & iron’ of Bismarck. He showed an amazing capacity to size up men and moments and to strike when the iron was hot. His efforts resulted in adding of about eighty thousand square kilometers of land to the Indian Union.
Sardar Patel’s great contribution was warmly recognized by both Gandhiji and Lord Mountbatten. Gandhiji observed about Patelji : “The task of dealing with the princes was truly formidable, but I am convinced that the Sardar was the only person who could have coped with it”. In a letter written by Lord Mountbatten to Patelji, it said “There is no doubt that by far the most important achievement of the present government is unification of the states into the Dominion of India. Had you failed in this, the results would have been disastrous. But since you succeeded, no one can see the disastrous consequences that you avoided. Nothing has added to the prestige of the present Government more than the brilliant policy you have followed with the states”.
Sardar Patelji first formulated the great design for a well-knit India and then proceeded to materialize it on the ground. He aroused the patriotic sentiments of the princes and remind them : “We are at a momentous stage in the history of India. By a common endeavour, we can raise the country to a new greatness, while lack of unity will expose us to fresh calamities”. At the same time, he took care not to allow any grass to grow underneath his feet. Patel was accused for sometime for being anti – Muslim. Unfortunately, in the present day India, this accusation has to be faced by all those who are the real benefactors of the Muslims but who have the courage and commitment of calling a spade a spade, and making a distinction between appeasement and fairness.
The approach followed by Patel was direct and dynamic. He often combined his morning walk with the inspection of the streets of the city. Taking clue from Sardar Patel’s solid and selfless work in the streets of Ahmedabad, Gandhiji advised the municipal councilors all over the country for not seeking honours or indulge in mutual rivalries, but, he advised them to have real spirit of service and convert themselves into unpaid sweepers and roadmakers and above all take pride in doing so. Patel was an embodiment of probity in public life. The only property he left comprised a few dhotis and kurtas and a suitcase. He did not tolerate malfeasance anywhere. Even a minor impropriety by his partymen was sternly dealt with. Patel constructed a model which solved many of the acute problems of sanitation, health, water supply, waste disposal and traffic.
Today our country is facing a serious threat to its integrity in which administration is collapsing and terrorism is extending its tentacles right from the State of Kashmir to the other end of Coimbatore. At such times, it is essential for the nation particularly the ruling elite to remember the teaching and approach of Sardar patel and ward off the coming anarchy. I still love to read books written by Sardar Patel and get inspiration from his achievements and teachings. I wish that the present leaders must take a cue from his books and make ways for the prosperity of the nation.
We The people of India.
We, the people of India are a rich tapestry of cultures, faiths and festivals. The people and communities of India are best seen in the regional context. The regions are ancient and culturally cohesive and go back to the pre-historic period. Even our earliest literature refers to the Andhras, Vangas, Angas and Cheras. The Mahabharata is truly a story of all the communities in India. The Aini-i-Akbari was the first national gazetteer of India which lists the dominant lineages drawn from different communities in various parts of Akbar’s empire. The ‘people of India’ project was the first plan-Indian survey of all the commuities in India from 1984 to 1996.
Mostly Indians are a highly mixed people. Yet their likeness appears to be more prominent than their differences. The number of genes in which they differ are only few in comparison to the vast number of genes they have in common. There is a much greater homogenization among communities in terms of morphological and genetic traits at the regional level. In fact, most communities within a region of state many traits. This has been significantly brought out in the anthropomorphic survey of population in various states.
The people of India as per the constitution of India in a collective sense are identified into five human groups namely the Scheduled Castes. The Scheduled Tribes, the Religions and Linguistic Minorities, the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes, and the Anglo Indians.
All these groups are spread all over the country and most of them have been heterogeneous un terms of their perception of themselves, their differing versions of origin, their kinship structures, their life cycle ceremonies, their occupations which have now diversifies and so on. These communities derived their identities from their environment, their resources, their occupation and their original territory or villages.
The roots in the local cultural system, is an outstanding characteristic for the communities, no matter what religion they are attached with.
Indian society is marked by division and hierarchy. There are no communities without divisions. On the face of it, segments including exogamous divisions or groups, synonyms, surnames and titles add up to a mind boggling figure of about eighty thousand. However, at some different platform, they form an interesting tapestry market by different levels of perception, status and identity. A wide range of interaction is also shown by them including sharing of linkages and commonalities among communities in a linguistic regional and inter-regional context.
Further it is seen that all the communities and races living in India are also placed in a hierarchical order. Hierarchy differs from region to region. Based on the different perceptions, communities are ranked in a low, middle and high order. Ther has been an overall pervasive impact of the development process. As the movement towards the political equality grows and it gets translated into economic terms, there has been communities from the lower order move into the middle zone. This explains the burgeoning middle class, an amorphous category which encompasses a whole range of people moving up and going down into a arena of economic activity. We, the people of India, highlight the rise of the middle class over a large social spectrum including most communities and from almost all regions.
Among the people of India, there are still some communities which do not have adequate representation in the classified ranks of the society. Similarly, the remotest communities have been drawn into the vortex of Indian politics, and they are the participants in the recent political processes going on in the country. However, this process has still to move forward so as to encompass each section of people in order that our democracy, the social base of which is widening, becomes truly fully participative one. Further, it is a fact that the people of India are located within the civilization vocabulary cutting across various language barriers. Our late Prime Minister had truly said that India is a cultural unity amidst diversity, a bundle of contradictions held together by strong but invisible threads of lobe and affection.
Another thing which is very interesting about the people of India is that we share traits far more than the traits that we do not share. A reason for this could be the fact that most communities have emerged from the same ecological, ethnic, socio-cultural background, even though later they embraced different religious or other ways of life. Contrary to the general impression and inspite of the higher value attached to vegetarianism, only about twenty percent of the Indian communities are vegetarian. Mild culture has spread in the wake of the white revolution and a large number of communities report the consumption of milk. In the eating habits of the People of India, there has been a general shift from non –vegetarianism to vegetarianism. However, at the same time, there has been a sharp increase in the consumption of alcoholic beverages by men in various Communities with growth in economy in the post green revolution phase, there has been a diversification of occupations among the People of India. Today, there are very few communities whose members follow only one occupation.
Mostly Indians are a highly mixed people. Yet their likeness appears to be more prominent than their differences. The number of genes in which they differ are only few in comparison to the vast number of genes they have in common. There is a much greater homogenization among communities in terms of morphological and genetic traits at the regional level. In fact, most communities within a region of state many traits. This has been significantly brought out in the anthropomorphic survey of population in various states.
The people of India as per the constitution of India in a collective sense are identified into five human groups namely the Scheduled Castes. The Scheduled Tribes, the Religions and Linguistic Minorities, the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes, and the Anglo Indians.
All these groups are spread all over the country and most of them have been heterogeneous un terms of their perception of themselves, their differing versions of origin, their kinship structures, their life cycle ceremonies, their occupations which have now diversifies and so on. These communities derived their identities from their environment, their resources, their occupation and their original territory or villages.
The roots in the local cultural system, is an outstanding characteristic for the communities, no matter what religion they are attached with.
Indian society is marked by division and hierarchy. There are no communities without divisions. On the face of it, segments including exogamous divisions or groups, synonyms, surnames and titles add up to a mind boggling figure of about eighty thousand. However, at some different platform, they form an interesting tapestry market by different levels of perception, status and identity. A wide range of interaction is also shown by them including sharing of linkages and commonalities among communities in a linguistic regional and inter-regional context.
Further it is seen that all the communities and races living in India are also placed in a hierarchical order. Hierarchy differs from region to region. Based on the different perceptions, communities are ranked in a low, middle and high order. Ther has been an overall pervasive impact of the development process. As the movement towards the political equality grows and it gets translated into economic terms, there has been communities from the lower order move into the middle zone. This explains the burgeoning middle class, an amorphous category which encompasses a whole range of people moving up and going down into a arena of economic activity. We, the people of India, highlight the rise of the middle class over a large social spectrum including most communities and from almost all regions.
Among the people of India, there are still some communities which do not have adequate representation in the classified ranks of the society. Similarly, the remotest communities have been drawn into the vortex of Indian politics, and they are the participants in the recent political processes going on in the country. However, this process has still to move forward so as to encompass each section of people in order that our democracy, the social base of which is widening, becomes truly fully participative one. Further, it is a fact that the people of India are located within the civilization vocabulary cutting across various language barriers. Our late Prime Minister had truly said that India is a cultural unity amidst diversity, a bundle of contradictions held together by strong but invisible threads of lobe and affection.
Another thing which is very interesting about the people of India is that we share traits far more than the traits that we do not share. A reason for this could be the fact that most communities have emerged from the same ecological, ethnic, socio-cultural background, even though later they embraced different religious or other ways of life. Contrary to the general impression and inspite of the higher value attached to vegetarianism, only about twenty percent of the Indian communities are vegetarian. Mild culture has spread in the wake of the white revolution and a large number of communities report the consumption of milk. In the eating habits of the People of India, there has been a general shift from non –vegetarianism to vegetarianism. However, at the same time, there has been a sharp increase in the consumption of alcoholic beverages by men in various Communities with growth in economy in the post green revolution phase, there has been a diversification of occupations among the People of India. Today, there are very few communities whose members follow only one occupation.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Population Policy : Need for a Chance
The population problem in India has acquired such a serious dimension that the stage has arrived to realize that adherence to the principle of voluntariness will not do. A family planning programme based on only education, persuasion and access to contraceptive facilities is simply not enough. There is need to formulate a population control policy which would envisage supplementation of dedicated efforts in these areas. These schemes need a drastic change rather than the present incentives and disincentives – a carrot and stick approach just to nudge the country a two child family norm.
In recent past, there has been a spate of accidents involving school children getting plunged with their school bus or getting crushed under the cruel wheels of a speeding bus/truck. Such incidents really lacerate the psyche of any civilized society. Though the drivers of such vehicles do deserve severe punishments, but the other aspect of concern is the overcrowding in the buses. This is all due to increase in population without any considerations at any level or thought by the society. Overcrowding due to more population symbolizes the ugly face of a leadership that has displayed a mind – boggling abdication of responsibility. Even as the country is bursting at the seams every government getting power at the centre has done nothing but twiddle its thumbs. Although slated to become the most populous nation on Earth within the next two decades, India does not have a population control policy in place.
The incentives – disincentives scheme at the national level to control population can cover only the organized sector. Such organized sector consists of employees of the central and state governments as well as the corporate sector in initial stages of implementation. There are about seventeen million employees under central and state governments whereas the private and public sector under corporate have only 28 million working class. Thus incentive – disincentive scheme covers only 45 million couples which is a negligible gain as compared to the overall population of the country. Such a scheme of incentive – disincentive has been debated at many occasions at the national level in various forums. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) also prepared a document called “Population and Socio – Economic Development in India” that lists various incentives and disincentives which can be applied for a better population control policy and would be widely accepted.
Under the population control policy through incentive – disincentive scheme, the best measures can be extension of retirement age and increase in pension, educational allowances, special maternity leave with full pay upto only two children, preferential treatment in respect of house rent allowance / housing loans / purchase of vehicle for transport and cash awards to acceptors of sterilization. Further free medical treatment or reimbursement of medical expenses up to two children would be a better incentive. However, more disincentives should be imposed on those who do not follow the norm of two children. There is a need for enactment of a law under which the central and state governments as well as all companies would be mandatorily required to implement an incentive – disincentives scheme and specifically pay some minimum cash to such of their employees who go in for sterilization.
The most important incentive for securing most viable results would be providing handsome cash awards to those who accept sterilization. Truly. It is the money that “makes the mare go”. Actually neither the state nor the central governments have any scheme of sufficient cash awards for workers undergoing sterilization. The corporate do almost nothing towards such schemes of cash incentives. Rather they would give some incentive on piecemeal basis. In some of the public sector undertakings there is a provision of monetary incentive to the acceptor of sterilization in the range of Rs. 200 after two children and Rs. 150 after three children. Such undertakings must also provide an incentive of Rs. 500 for accepting sterilization to an employee after the first child.
The government companies or the private sector don’t understand the traumatic experiences at a personal level faced by the workers both during vasectomy and tubectomy. The meager cash awards of Rs. 200 or Rs. 300 amounts to the mocking of the system. The cash incentive must be made very attractive with a base level fixed at minimum of Rs. 3000 for sterilization. The corporate sector has also shown very disappointing approach towards implementation of such incentive schemes in their companies. This is despite of the fact that all expenditure on promotion of family planning is eligible for 100 percent tax rebate under section 36(I) of the Income Tax.
In addition to the above method of population control, there are other incentives which can be given to employees who do not go for sterilization but use other methods of contraception like the pill, IUCD or condom. The only difference will be that the monetary benefit would be of a deferred nature. Under such schemes, certain fixed amount can be deposited by the organization periodically in an account to be opened in the name of the beneficiary. This accumulated amount can be given when the wife of the employee reaches the menopausal age of say 45 years. However, if the couple gets a third child, the accumulated amount must be forfeited altogether. This way, each employee will be having an inspiration that he can get so much accumulated sum after certain number of years. Such amounts will be available to the employees without contributing anything from their own pockets.
In recent past, there has been a spate of accidents involving school children getting plunged with their school bus or getting crushed under the cruel wheels of a speeding bus/truck. Such incidents really lacerate the psyche of any civilized society. Though the drivers of such vehicles do deserve severe punishments, but the other aspect of concern is the overcrowding in the buses. This is all due to increase in population without any considerations at any level or thought by the society. Overcrowding due to more population symbolizes the ugly face of a leadership that has displayed a mind – boggling abdication of responsibility. Even as the country is bursting at the seams every government getting power at the centre has done nothing but twiddle its thumbs. Although slated to become the most populous nation on Earth within the next two decades, India does not have a population control policy in place.
The incentives – disincentives scheme at the national level to control population can cover only the organized sector. Such organized sector consists of employees of the central and state governments as well as the corporate sector in initial stages of implementation. There are about seventeen million employees under central and state governments whereas the private and public sector under corporate have only 28 million working class. Thus incentive – disincentive scheme covers only 45 million couples which is a negligible gain as compared to the overall population of the country. Such a scheme of incentive – disincentive has been debated at many occasions at the national level in various forums. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) also prepared a document called “Population and Socio – Economic Development in India” that lists various incentives and disincentives which can be applied for a better population control policy and would be widely accepted.
Under the population control policy through incentive – disincentive scheme, the best measures can be extension of retirement age and increase in pension, educational allowances, special maternity leave with full pay upto only two children, preferential treatment in respect of house rent allowance / housing loans / purchase of vehicle for transport and cash awards to acceptors of sterilization. Further free medical treatment or reimbursement of medical expenses up to two children would be a better incentive. However, more disincentives should be imposed on those who do not follow the norm of two children. There is a need for enactment of a law under which the central and state governments as well as all companies would be mandatorily required to implement an incentive – disincentives scheme and specifically pay some minimum cash to such of their employees who go in for sterilization.
The most important incentive for securing most viable results would be providing handsome cash awards to those who accept sterilization. Truly. It is the money that “makes the mare go”. Actually neither the state nor the central governments have any scheme of sufficient cash awards for workers undergoing sterilization. The corporate do almost nothing towards such schemes of cash incentives. Rather they would give some incentive on piecemeal basis. In some of the public sector undertakings there is a provision of monetary incentive to the acceptor of sterilization in the range of Rs. 200 after two children and Rs. 150 after three children. Such undertakings must also provide an incentive of Rs. 500 for accepting sterilization to an employee after the first child.
The government companies or the private sector don’t understand the traumatic experiences at a personal level faced by the workers both during vasectomy and tubectomy. The meager cash awards of Rs. 200 or Rs. 300 amounts to the mocking of the system. The cash incentive must be made very attractive with a base level fixed at minimum of Rs. 3000 for sterilization. The corporate sector has also shown very disappointing approach towards implementation of such incentive schemes in their companies. This is despite of the fact that all expenditure on promotion of family planning is eligible for 100 percent tax rebate under section 36(I) of the Income Tax.
In addition to the above method of population control, there are other incentives which can be given to employees who do not go for sterilization but use other methods of contraception like the pill, IUCD or condom. The only difference will be that the monetary benefit would be of a deferred nature. Under such schemes, certain fixed amount can be deposited by the organization periodically in an account to be opened in the name of the beneficiary. This accumulated amount can be given when the wife of the employee reaches the menopausal age of say 45 years. However, if the couple gets a third child, the accumulated amount must be forfeited altogether. This way, each employee will be having an inspiration that he can get so much accumulated sum after certain number of years. Such amounts will be available to the employees without contributing anything from their own pockets.
Computerization in Banks
Almost a decade ago, automation was introduced into the Indian Banks. During this time, personal computers and servers have been installed and are being continuously installed along with banking software packages at various branches. This has automatised many of the bank branches’ activities. But this has still to be met as per the banks expectations and help deliver enhanced customer service. We have to enter into new markets and deploy new products quickly to get the best out of this automatisation.
But the point to be seen is, whether all these products are friendly with the customers and profitable to the banks. Is this network enough to move both information and money efficiently. Is the top management of the banks getting the right information on time to enable them take better and faster decisions. Whether the technology which we are using today is open enough to integrate seamlessly with emerging technologies. Such type of questions are arising increasingly in the present liberalized and highly competitive environment. Many nationalized banks are not ready to accept the same. All the issues associated with the above automation stem from two main things. Firstly, the drawbacks of the existing branch banking software and secondly the lack of networking infrastructure are the main constraints. Both combine to create islands of information which do not help effective decision making.
Existing branch banking applications do not afford some very important facilities such as the bank cannot deploy new retail products and new delivery methods quickly and economically. And then the bank branch cannot have an enterprise – wide view of its assets, liabilities and profitability. Further the banks cannot integrate corporate and treasury operations to gain synergies. Only a centralized banking solution can enable the provision of facilities which are critical to the efficient and effective functioning of a bank. A centralized banking solution does not mean a main frame.
In fact, the latest advanced solutions run on powerful saleable, secure and cost effective systems. With such centralized solutions, the bank can retain or simply upgrade its existing software and hardware. These solutions give the bank the flexibility to start computerization at a lower scale with few branches and scale upwards afterwards and connect hundreds of branches in a multi – tier manner.
In the present Indian scenario, there is a preponderance of brick and mortar branches and any solution which does not provide for a minimum data base at a branch for operations purposes will not work when the number of branches multiply to higher numbers. Actually, the banks buy only when they need to expand services or add new facilities. Contrary to this, solutions available on proprietary mainframe technology do not enable the banks to start small and also have very high incremental costs. These solutions were designed in an older era and are hence rigid when it comes to customizing especially for Indian conditions. The proprietary mainframe based solutions do not provide for a smaller backup database at the branch level. The risk of having all customer data residing only at the head – office is well known.
A more realistic approach is provided by the open UNIX and Windows NT based solutions. In addition to the central database the head office, there are lean branch databases which allow customers to avail of banking services even during communication link failures which is not at all an uncommon phenomenon in India. And because of the cost effectiveness of the open technology, this combination of the central server and small branch servers alongwith their databases is far more economical than the expensive proprietary mainframe and proprietary database and cost – effective to maintain and upgrade in the longer run.
It is imperative that Indian banks start to seriously consider migrating to a centralized banking approach which is flexible and based on open technology. It is the most cost – effective way to increase back office efficiency which would enhance front – office effectiveness. With this centralized banking customers get more varied and faster services. The customer will have access to “anywhere banking” wherein anybody can transact against his account from any of the bank’s designated retail outlets/branches. The customer can have banking as per his convenient timings. Customers will be able to have comprehensive account sweep and on-line funds transfer facility which will enable better funds management for large corporate customers. This will remove time consuming inter branch reconciliation and transactions between branches is sorted and stored at the head office system and resolved before being posted. A relationship banking practice is possible with centralized information of the customers. The customers are treated in a more holistic manner rather than as a set of accounts.
With centralized banking, it is easily possible for the customers to avail custom made & innovative products more quickly. Centralized solutions are usually highly parameterized softwares and changing combinations of various parameters give rise to new banking products. Hence defining and implementing new banking products becomes much faster and easier for everybody. Further, a centralized system on open and latest technology insulates the bank from any type of obsolescence by providing a standard based architecture using client server, Web technologies and distributed objects. The bank also has the option of individually implementing forex, securities operations and money markets in day to day operations.
But the point to be seen is, whether all these products are friendly with the customers and profitable to the banks. Is this network enough to move both information and money efficiently. Is the top management of the banks getting the right information on time to enable them take better and faster decisions. Whether the technology which we are using today is open enough to integrate seamlessly with emerging technologies. Such type of questions are arising increasingly in the present liberalized and highly competitive environment. Many nationalized banks are not ready to accept the same. All the issues associated with the above automation stem from two main things. Firstly, the drawbacks of the existing branch banking software and secondly the lack of networking infrastructure are the main constraints. Both combine to create islands of information which do not help effective decision making.
Existing branch banking applications do not afford some very important facilities such as the bank cannot deploy new retail products and new delivery methods quickly and economically. And then the bank branch cannot have an enterprise – wide view of its assets, liabilities and profitability. Further the banks cannot integrate corporate and treasury operations to gain synergies. Only a centralized banking solution can enable the provision of facilities which are critical to the efficient and effective functioning of a bank. A centralized banking solution does not mean a main frame.
In fact, the latest advanced solutions run on powerful saleable, secure and cost effective systems. With such centralized solutions, the bank can retain or simply upgrade its existing software and hardware. These solutions give the bank the flexibility to start computerization at a lower scale with few branches and scale upwards afterwards and connect hundreds of branches in a multi – tier manner.
In the present Indian scenario, there is a preponderance of brick and mortar branches and any solution which does not provide for a minimum data base at a branch for operations purposes will not work when the number of branches multiply to higher numbers. Actually, the banks buy only when they need to expand services or add new facilities. Contrary to this, solutions available on proprietary mainframe technology do not enable the banks to start small and also have very high incremental costs. These solutions were designed in an older era and are hence rigid when it comes to customizing especially for Indian conditions. The proprietary mainframe based solutions do not provide for a smaller backup database at the branch level. The risk of having all customer data residing only at the head – office is well known.
A more realistic approach is provided by the open UNIX and Windows NT based solutions. In addition to the central database the head office, there are lean branch databases which allow customers to avail of banking services even during communication link failures which is not at all an uncommon phenomenon in India. And because of the cost effectiveness of the open technology, this combination of the central server and small branch servers alongwith their databases is far more economical than the expensive proprietary mainframe and proprietary database and cost – effective to maintain and upgrade in the longer run.
It is imperative that Indian banks start to seriously consider migrating to a centralized banking approach which is flexible and based on open technology. It is the most cost – effective way to increase back office efficiency which would enhance front – office effectiveness. With this centralized banking customers get more varied and faster services. The customer will have access to “anywhere banking” wherein anybody can transact against his account from any of the bank’s designated retail outlets/branches. The customer can have banking as per his convenient timings. Customers will be able to have comprehensive account sweep and on-line funds transfer facility which will enable better funds management for large corporate customers. This will remove time consuming inter branch reconciliation and transactions between branches is sorted and stored at the head office system and resolved before being posted. A relationship banking practice is possible with centralized information of the customers. The customers are treated in a more holistic manner rather than as a set of accounts.
With centralized banking, it is easily possible for the customers to avail custom made & innovative products more quickly. Centralized solutions are usually highly parameterized softwares and changing combinations of various parameters give rise to new banking products. Hence defining and implementing new banking products becomes much faster and easier for everybody. Further, a centralized system on open and latest technology insulates the bank from any type of obsolescence by providing a standard based architecture using client server, Web technologies and distributed objects. The bank also has the option of individually implementing forex, securities operations and money markets in day to day operations.
Pen is Mightier than the Sword
Pen stands for expression, for literature, for what comes out of a writer’s pen. And it is true that literature or writing wields far more power than arms can ever wield. Battles are fought over a certain period time and within a particular area. They certainly affect and influence events but in a limited way. The effect of the pen or literature is wide. Sometimes it is universal. The messages of Buddha, Christ, Confucius, Gandhi and Marx are universal in their appeal. They are valid for all times and for all climes. The sword has a physical effect, it hardly affects times and for all climes. The sword has a physical effect, it hardly affects the mind and the spirit, while the pen affects the mind, intellect and spirit. The latter can shape the minds, hearts and spirit of people in a desired way if only the wielder has the mastery of its use in the required measure.
The pen is a source of power and inspiration for all times and for people in all walks of life. The fact of superiorty of the pen over the sword should not lead us to believe that the sword has no value. Arms have changed history. Sometimes only force brings about results. When everything fails, when persuasion negotiations etc., fail, the use force to teach Ravan a lesson. Arms were used to ensure the victory of the forces of good over the forces of evil. If the great war of Mahabharat had not been fought, the forces of evil which the Kauravas represented would have continued to plague the kingdom and the rule of justice and righteousness could never have been established. Lord Krishna, therefore, induced Arjuna to fight a violent war to destroy the forces of evil and rehabilitate the rule of the right.
There is might in the sword, nobody can gain say this, but there is more might in the pen. The American Revolution of 1776 was the product of the writings of a host of political philosophers and statesmen. The very slogan of liberty, equality and pursuit of happiness raised in their writings by the American revolutionaries and almost the identical slogan liberty, equality and fraternity raised in the writings of French revolutionaries not only did much to change the history of these two countries, but also revolutionized the very thought and outlook of the people about the role of the state. It is a matter of common knowledge for a student of History that, what Benjamin Franklin, Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson in America and Rousseau, Voltaire and Motesquieu in France, could do by their writings could never have been achieved by was an outburst of the centuries old people’s grievances, but the background for it had been prepared by the writings of a host of creative writers as well as statesmen like Trotsky and Lenin.
Erroneous view is held by some people that the sword is mightier than the pen. They actually do not understand the meaning of pen. When comparing with the sword they have in mind only some object six inches long with which one can write. This object of six inches in length and about one inch in thickness compares ridiculously in power with the one or two feet long sword with sharp edges, the very sight of which sends shudders of fear down the spine.
What Gandhi could achieve by the use of his pen could never be achieved by thousand of strong emperors ruling by the force of their arms. The writings of a host of patriotic writers and men of literature contributed very significantly to burning of the fire of patriotic zeal in the hearts of the multitudes of people and inspiring them to sacrifice their lives for the sake of freedom. V.D. Savarkar’s ‘Indian war of Independence’, Lala Lajpatrai’s ‘Unhappy India’, the fiery messages of Swami Vivekanand exercised much greater power than the actual thought which issued from the minds of a host of individuals and liberal writers has done more in democratizing and socializing our attitudes.
An important role in preserving human civilization from the onslaught of barbarism can be played by the strength of a pen only. A writer can make the whole world see things in their true light and facts of life. They can really make the world aware of the tragic horrors of wars, racial wars and ideological wars of all types. It is only false propaganda that cause of spread of violence. Only a writer can conquer such a lie. Writers can move the soul and touch the hearts of the affected people in great depth. The writings can serve a powerful and swift force waging a relentless struggle for the dignity and glory of human soul.
It is the strength of the pen only, which can stress the similarity rather than the differences between people living at distant places. A writer can create a better understanding of each other’s problems and thus lessen strife and conflicts. All types of wars and battles emerge from misunderstandings which can be resolved by a powerful instrument of the writer’s pen. The concept of ‘One world’ becomes real and effective only through the words of a writer.
The pen is a source of power and inspiration for all times and for people in all walks of life. The fact of superiorty of the pen over the sword should not lead us to believe that the sword has no value. Arms have changed history. Sometimes only force brings about results. When everything fails, when persuasion negotiations etc., fail, the use force to teach Ravan a lesson. Arms were used to ensure the victory of the forces of good over the forces of evil. If the great war of Mahabharat had not been fought, the forces of evil which the Kauravas represented would have continued to plague the kingdom and the rule of justice and righteousness could never have been established. Lord Krishna, therefore, induced Arjuna to fight a violent war to destroy the forces of evil and rehabilitate the rule of the right.
There is might in the sword, nobody can gain say this, but there is more might in the pen. The American Revolution of 1776 was the product of the writings of a host of political philosophers and statesmen. The very slogan of liberty, equality and pursuit of happiness raised in their writings by the American revolutionaries and almost the identical slogan liberty, equality and fraternity raised in the writings of French revolutionaries not only did much to change the history of these two countries, but also revolutionized the very thought and outlook of the people about the role of the state. It is a matter of common knowledge for a student of History that, what Benjamin Franklin, Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson in America and Rousseau, Voltaire and Motesquieu in France, could do by their writings could never have been achieved by was an outburst of the centuries old people’s grievances, but the background for it had been prepared by the writings of a host of creative writers as well as statesmen like Trotsky and Lenin.
Erroneous view is held by some people that the sword is mightier than the pen. They actually do not understand the meaning of pen. When comparing with the sword they have in mind only some object six inches long with which one can write. This object of six inches in length and about one inch in thickness compares ridiculously in power with the one or two feet long sword with sharp edges, the very sight of which sends shudders of fear down the spine.
What Gandhi could achieve by the use of his pen could never be achieved by thousand of strong emperors ruling by the force of their arms. The writings of a host of patriotic writers and men of literature contributed very significantly to burning of the fire of patriotic zeal in the hearts of the multitudes of people and inspiring them to sacrifice their lives for the sake of freedom. V.D. Savarkar’s ‘Indian war of Independence’, Lala Lajpatrai’s ‘Unhappy India’, the fiery messages of Swami Vivekanand exercised much greater power than the actual thought which issued from the minds of a host of individuals and liberal writers has done more in democratizing and socializing our attitudes.
An important role in preserving human civilization from the onslaught of barbarism can be played by the strength of a pen only. A writer can make the whole world see things in their true light and facts of life. They can really make the world aware of the tragic horrors of wars, racial wars and ideological wars of all types. It is only false propaganda that cause of spread of violence. Only a writer can conquer such a lie. Writers can move the soul and touch the hearts of the affected people in great depth. The writings can serve a powerful and swift force waging a relentless struggle for the dignity and glory of human soul.
It is the strength of the pen only, which can stress the similarity rather than the differences between people living at distant places. A writer can create a better understanding of each other’s problems and thus lessen strife and conflicts. All types of wars and battles emerge from misunderstandings which can be resolved by a powerful instrument of the writer’s pen. The concept of ‘One world’ becomes real and effective only through the words of a writer.
Role of India Towards World Peace
India is a peace – loving country and has been the member of the United Nations from the very existence of the United Nation Organisation. India has always played a key role in bringing peace to various countries on war and thus fulfilling the objective of the UNO. It has also been an active member of the various agencies of the UNO like the UNESCO, the WHO and the UNICEF. Once the President of the General Assembly of the UNO was Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Pandit. India has also been elected as a member of the Security Council.
Soon after the World War II, it was observed that many countries of the world got divided into two major groups. These two groups of various countries could not tolerate any development or progress of the member nations of the other group which was lead by the then Soviet Union. Many countries were tempted to join these groups based on the military pacts. It was appearing that there could be another war the way things were moving. Such a war would have stopped the progress and new development activities taking place in India. Poor countries were poised for a great danger to their existence. It was our late Prime Minister Panidt Jawahar Lal Nehru who foresaw the danger and was deeply concerned. He started consultations and discussions with leaders of various countries like Egypt and Yugoslavia. At the same time, he began to caution the poor nations about the disastrous impacts and consequences of the war and danger to the freedom of these nations. Thus leaders of these countries joined under one umbrella and jointly laid down five principles of cooperation with each other. Thus the Non – Aligned Movement took birth and it became a big movement.
The starting of Non-Aligned Movement at the initiative of India prevented the small nations from joining military pacts and leading to world peace. With the passage of time, more and more countries realized its importance and joined in this movement for security of their country. As on date, more than one hundred member nations of the UNO are the members of the Non – Aligned Movement. All these countries want to have peace and get assurance that their freedom is not lost. India has contributed its maximum in echoing the concern of the poor and small nations in the United Nations.
During the conflict of Iran – Irag, India had sent its forces to ensure peace. At the request of the UNO, India deputed its soldiers in Korea to bring about peace in that part of the World. Similar work was also carried out in Zaire.
India has always raised its voice against injustice taking place anywhere in the world so that each one has peace. The oppression of the Blacks by the Whites minority in South Africa was strongly opposed by India. A world opinion was formed against South African policy of apartheid (discrimination based on colour) for the Blacks. It argued for equal rights for them and no discrimination against them. Even the cause of freedom for Palestinians from the Israel has been widely supported by the Government of India.
Soon after the World War II, it was observed that many countries of the world got divided into two major groups. These two groups of various countries could not tolerate any development or progress of the member nations of the other group which was lead by the then Soviet Union. Many countries were tempted to join these groups based on the military pacts. It was appearing that there could be another war the way things were moving. Such a war would have stopped the progress and new development activities taking place in India. Poor countries were poised for a great danger to their existence. It was our late Prime Minister Panidt Jawahar Lal Nehru who foresaw the danger and was deeply concerned. He started consultations and discussions with leaders of various countries like Egypt and Yugoslavia. At the same time, he began to caution the poor nations about the disastrous impacts and consequences of the war and danger to the freedom of these nations. Thus leaders of these countries joined under one umbrella and jointly laid down five principles of cooperation with each other. Thus the Non – Aligned Movement took birth and it became a big movement.
The starting of Non-Aligned Movement at the initiative of India prevented the small nations from joining military pacts and leading to world peace. With the passage of time, more and more countries realized its importance and joined in this movement for security of their country. As on date, more than one hundred member nations of the UNO are the members of the Non – Aligned Movement. All these countries want to have peace and get assurance that their freedom is not lost. India has contributed its maximum in echoing the concern of the poor and small nations in the United Nations.
During the conflict of Iran – Irag, India had sent its forces to ensure peace. At the request of the UNO, India deputed its soldiers in Korea to bring about peace in that part of the World. Similar work was also carried out in Zaire.
India has always raised its voice against injustice taking place anywhere in the world so that each one has peace. The oppression of the Blacks by the Whites minority in South Africa was strongly opposed by India. A world opinion was formed against South African policy of apartheid (discrimination based on colour) for the Blacks. It argued for equal rights for them and no discrimination against them. Even the cause of freedom for Palestinians from the Israel has been widely supported by the Government of India.
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