LORD JAGANNATH'S RATHYATRA IN PURI,ORISSA.INDIA.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
MEENASKHI TEMPLE, MADURAI, INDIA.
This is one of the largest temple of the world,located in city of madurai, a southern city of india.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Can it be revived???
"Why our hockey players are being treated like orphans and why our politicians are biased against hockey, the national game?" Carvalho asked.
Most of us in India must have read this on News paper of 28th September 2007. This is the anguish expressed by present Indian coach of hockey team, Joaquim Carvalho after several awards were declared for Indian cricket team after their 20-20 World cup win where as everybody conveniently forgot Indian hockey team which had won Asia cup a couple of weeks before. In fact no awards were announced when hockey team won the Asia cup on 9th September 2007.
And on 30th September 2007, when Viswanatham Anand won the chess world cup in Mexico City, he too was not expecting much from Indian public and politician. Read the Newspaper clip below. This is what Anand had said after winning the world cup.
But, I must say Anand was lucky. First came the declaration of cash award of Rs25 lakh and then a hero welcome when he arrived in India. See this photo and read the news clip.
THE MONARCH: On a bedecked chariot, with a crown and mace, World champion Viswanathan Anand is king indeed.
Chennai: Viswanathan Anand is seldom at a loss for words, but the World chess champion was stunned at the reception he received in his home city.
But not so lucky are Indian hockey team captain of Asia cup Prabodh Tirkey and the former captain Dilip Tirkey. Unfortunately both of them belong to my state orissa. I have not heard of my state government declaring any award for them. Shame! Crying shame!
Shame on Indian sports lovers. Shame on Indian public, media, central government and state governments. We have forgotten our National game, our past and sporting glories. If anybody knows about Indian sports it is because of hockey. Eight gold medals in Olympics spanning from 1928 to 1980 is not a joke.
Let us make a journey through that glorious past. Yes, my Indian friends, a nation who does not respect its past does get respect for its present too. Now hold on your breathe and read on.
AMSTERDAM-1928
The ten-day hockey competition in the Amsterdam Games was held in May, two months before the rest of the Olympic events. India made its debut in the Olympic Games on May 17, 1928, beating Austria 6-0. India went on to beat Belgium 9-0, Denmark 5-0 and Switzerland 6-0 in the semi-finals to set up the title clash against Holland.
Jaipal Singh, a student of Oxford University, captained India only till the semi-finals before he had to go back to England. Vice Captain Eric Pinniger then took over the captaincy for the final against Holland.
The finals, held on May 26, 1928, aroused tremendous interest. Nearly 24,000 spectators, till then the biggest crowd for a hockey match, saw the game. India beat Holland 3 - 0 to win its first ever Olympic gold medal, and its first ever victory in a world tournament. On May 29, when the prize giving ceremony was held at the Olympic Stadium, and Eric Pinniger lead the team to the victory stand, this marked the first time that a team from Asia had won any medal in the Olympics.
LOS ANGELS-1932
The 1932 Olympic hockey matches spawned a couple of records that stand till this date. The biggest score in an international hockey match is the 24-1 victory of India over the USA, played on August 11, 1932. The record for the most number of goals scored in a single hockey match belongs to Roop Singh, who slammed in ten goals in the 24-1 rout of USA.
So how did USA score that one goal? The backs had decided to let the Americans have a run, but when they looked behind, there was no goalkeeper. The Indian goalkeeper Richard Allen was signing autographs behind the goal post!
The finest tribute to the Indian hockey team was by the Los Angeles sports journalists who voted the team's showing in the Olympics as "the most outstanding exhibition of skill in any sport."
25 out of the 35 goals scored by India in the 1932 Olympics were by the two brothers - left-in Roop Singh (15) and centre-forward Dhyan Chand (10). The hockey brothers went on to represent India in the 1936 Olympics also, winning yet another gold medal for India.
BERLIN-1936
India met Germany in the final on August 15, 1936. The final started at 11:00 am before a record crowd of 40,000 spectators, the biggest ever to witness a hockey match in the Olympic Games. India was up by 6 goals in the finals. The Germans now decided to play rough. Going for Dhyan Chand, the German goalkeeper removed one of his teeth. Coming back after receiving first aid, the bare-footed Dhyan Chand instructed his team to go easy on goals. "We must teach them a lesson in ball control," he said. As the stunned crowd watched, the Indians repeatedly took the ball up to the German circle and then backpassed to dumbfound their opponents. India ultimately prevailed over Germany 8-1 in the finals to win its third successive Olympic gold medal.
The Fuhrer was very impressed by Dhyan Chand's performance in the finals. At a dinner party after the finals, Hitler offered to elevate Dhyan Chand to the rank of a Colonel if he migrated to Germany. Dhyan Chand turned down the offer.
This was to be the last Olympics of 'Hockey Wizard' Dhyan Chand. World War II intervened to prevent any more Olympic appearances of the hockey immortal. Dhyan Chand is to hockey what Bradman is to cricket and Pele is to soccer. Dhyan Chand scored over a thousand goals in a career spanning 1926 - 1948.
The ultimate tribute was paid to him by a sports club in Vienna, which built a statue of Dhyan Chand with four hands and four sticks. To those Viennese, no ordinary man with two hands and one stick could have played so well. Every age produces its own genius. But the only hockey wizard of the 20th Century has been Major Dhyan Chand, the king among centre-forwards.
LONDON-1948
The first time that India met Britain in an Olympic hockey match was on September 12, 1948, at Wembley grounds, in the Olympic hockey final. In this long awaited meeting, India beat Britain 4-0 in to win its fourth consecutive gold medal - its first as a free country. Balbir Singh Sr. (Punjab Police) was the find of independent India as a centre-forward. He scored both the first half goals for India, while Pat Jansen and Trilochan Singh (penalty corner) shared the other two.
HELSINKI-1952
India beat Austria 4-0 and Great Britain 3-1 in the knockout matches en route to the finals. Holland challenged the Olympics champions but lost 1-6, and India won the hockey crown for the 5th time in a row.
MELBOURNE-1956
India clashed with Pakistan for the first time since the partition of India. Midway through the second half, India was awarded a penalty corner. The ball was pushed out by Udham Singh and stopped by Raghbir Singh Bhola. Randhir Singh Gentle took the shot. A Pakistani defender failed to trap it cleanly and allowed the ball to trickle over the goal line. And so India secured the gold medal for the sixth time in a row, until then a record for any country in any team sport in the Olympics.
TOKYO-1964
In the pool matches, India finished at the top with 12 points. India beat Belgium 2-0, was held to a draw by Germany and Spain, beat Hong Kong 6-0, Malaysia 3-1, Canada 3-0 and Holland 2-1. In the semi-final, India beat Australia 3-1 to set up their third consecutive clash with Pakistan in the Olympic finals. India beat Pakistan 1-0 in the final.
MOSCOW-1980
In the final against Spain, India had a rousing start and established a comfortable three goal lead early in the second half. But Spain gamely bounced back into the game with 2 unanswered goals. With Spain raiding the Indian defense, and with only 6 minutes left, Mohammed Shaheed scored a goal to give more breathing room to India. However, with only 4 minutes remaining, Spain scored yet again with their skipper Juan Amat completing his hat-trick. The atmosphere in the last few minutes was electric, and India finally won the thriller 4-3, and thus regained the elusive gold after 16 long years. Spain had to be content with the Fairplay Trophy.
Sadly, there ends the golden run of Indian hockey in the Olympics. 27 years of draught! 27years of expectations!! Slowly and surely dying down!!! Can it be revived???
Saturday, October 13, 2007
LIVE WITH PLASTIC MONEY BUT DO NOT DIE OF IT.
This is sequel to my earlier blog "Debt Trap or Death Trap" which in short describes the menace and mischief of debt recovery agents. But one thing is sure that in modern day life, we can not ignore the benefit of plastic money. What is perhaps required is the proper understanding and judicious use. One thing we should not forget that Banks are not charitable organizations. They are here to make money. So be careful and avoid the habit of a compulsive spender.
In this blog I will be focusing on some basic issues that surround the credit card like interest rate calculation ,how to choose a credit card , interest periods etc ,etc. Very rudimentary but essentials.
Key questions to consider when choosing a credit card:
Is there an introductory rate, what is it, and how long does it last?
After the introductory interest rate, what will my rate be?
Is there an application fee?
Are there processing fees?
Is there an annual fee?
Is there a late fee?
Is there an over-the-limit fee?
Are there any other fees, like account-termination fees or balance-transfer fees?
When and how can a variable rate be changed?
When and how can a fixed rate be changed?
What is the grace period before interest is applied?
How will you inform me of any changes in my contract?
Will the company inform me if I am about to go over my limit?
If I go over my limit, what happens?
What is the company policy if I have trouble paying my bill?
| Card Name | Annual Fee | Grace Period | APR | Maximum Credit Offered | Perks/Benefits |
Checklist for Comparing Credit Card Offers
Review your basic goals for using a credit card and use the above table to compare terms for credit card offers.
Review your basic goals for using a credit card and use the above table to compare terms for credit card offers.
How credit cards calculate interests?
How and how often your credit card calculates your interest makes a big difference. Know what you are getting before you sign up.
Average Daily Balance This is the most common calculation method. Each morning in the billing period, your balance is credited with any payments or refunds. Under some plans, any new purchases are also added. At the end of the billing cycle, daily balances are added and divided by the number of days in the billing period to get the "average daily balance."
Adjusted Balance This is an advantageous method for cardholders. Payments or credits received during the current billing period are subtracted from the balance at the end of the previous billing period. Purchases made during the billing period aren't included. This method gives you until the end of the billing cycle to pay and avoid the interest charges.
Two-Cycle Balance The average daily balance is calculated from two billing cycles rather than one, and finance charges are higher. The grace period for customers who carry a balance is wiped out. If the bill is not paid in full at the first billing, interest becomes retroactive back to the purchase date.
Reducing Your Interest Rate: It is possible to qualify for a lower interest rate on your credit cards; the bank won't automatically inform you of this. Call the customer service line to ask if you qualify for a lower rate. If you have been paying at least the minimum balance due on your bills every month, your credit with the bank might qualify for a reduction.
Many credit cards solicit new customers by offering low introductory. The credit card company will not remind you that the introductory rate period has ended, and you may be charged a significant additional fee to transfer your balances from your other credit cards.
Now let us see how some of the Indian banks calculate interest rates on credit card balance.
DEUTSCHE BANK:
Interest Calculation: Interest is calculated on a daily basis on the current outstanding balance of the Cardholder. Interest is levied if Total Amount Due is not paid off by the due date. Interest is also levied on all fee, charges, interest and service tax.
Statement Cycle: 25th of each month
| Type | Transaction Date | Amount |
| Shopper's Stop | 14-Jan-06 | 10,000.00 |
| Payments Received | 10-Feb-06 | 7,000.00 |
Example for interest computation: If full payment of Rs. 10,000 is made by Payment Due Date no interest would be levied. In the above example interest will be charged as follows in the statement dated 25-Feb-06:
| Type | Transaction Date | Outstanding Balance | Up to Date | Days | Interest Rate | Interest |
| Shopper's Stop | 14-Jan-06 | 10,000.00 | 25-Jan-06 | 11 | 2.95%p.m. / 35.4% p.a. | 106.68 (11/365 days*35.4%* 10,000) |
| Opening Balance on 25-Jan-06 | 10,000.00 | 10-Feb-06 | 16 | 2.95%p.m. / 35.4% p.a. | 155.17(16/365 days* 35.4%* 10,000) | |
| Payment of Rs.7,000 on 10-Feb-06 | 10-Feb-06 | 3,000.00 | 25-Feb-06 | 15 | 2.95%p.m. / 35.4% p.a. | 43.64(15/365days*35.4%* 3,000) |
| Total Interest Payable | 305.49 | |||||
How are interest rates calculated on ICICI Bank Credit Card?
Interest charges are applicable only if the part payment facility (revolver facility) is chosen. It is governed by a rate of interest. The interest accrual is on a daily outstanding balance. The monthly application of interest happens on the statement date.
Interest charges are applicable only if the part payment facility (revolver facility) is chosen. It is governed by a rate of interest. The interest accrual is on a daily outstanding balance. The monthly application of interest happens on the statement date.
An Example of interest calculation:
Taking an example where the customer has all retail transaction - no cash withdrawals).
As the customer has made a part payment, interest is charged on transactions in the previous month from the respective transaction date up to the statement date. Then on TAD (total amount due) from the statement date up to the part payment date.
Then on the balance amount (after deducting payment from TAD) from the part payment date up to the next statement date.
And if there are any fresh purchases interest is charged on the same from respective transaction date up to statement date.
Please note if the customer makes a part payment he does not enjoy interest free days on fresh purchases.
Formula: Principal amount*rate of interest*no of days.
Formula: Principal amount*rate of interest*no of days.
Statement of Mr. Ramesh Kumar who is holding a Sterling Silver Card
STATEMENT DATE:1ST AUGUST
TRANSACTION ON 15TH JULY=Rs600.00(purchase)
TRANSACTION ON 30TH JULY=Rs100.00(purchase)
MAD=Rs100.00
TAD=Rs700.00
STATEMENT DATE:1ST SEPTEMBER
TRANSACTION ON 3RD AUGUST=Rs.500.00(purchase)
TRANSACTION ON 20TH AUGUST=Rs600.00(paid back to bank)
INTEREST ON 1ST SEPTEMBER=Rs40.52
MAD=Rs100.00
TAD=Rs640.52
MAD-Minimum amount due
TAD-Total amount due
TAD-Total amount due
The interest of Rs.40.52 has been calculated as below:
The total outstanding for the month of Aug was Rs.700 against which the Mr. Ramesh Kumar has made a part payment of Rs.600, thus interest is charged.
On transaction dated 15-July-02 (Rs 600) from transaction date up to Statement date 01.08.2002.
Then on TAD i.e. Rs.700 from statement date 01.08.2002 up to part payment date 20-08.2002.
Then on balance 100 (700-600) from part payment date 20.08.2002 up to next statement date 01.09.2002.
Then on the fresh purchases from 03-08.2002 up to 01.09.2002.
Calculation Part:
600*2.95%*18/30 days=Rs.10.62
100*2.95%*3/30 days =Rs.0.30
700*2.95%*20/30 days=Rs.13.77
100*2.95%*11/30 days =Rs.1.08
500*2.95%*28= (10.62+0.30/30 days =Rs.14.75
TOTAL=10.62+.30+13.77+1.08+14.75=Rs.40.52
What is interest period and how it is calculated?
Let us assume the credit card says interest free period is 51 days. In this case customer gets an interest free period ranging from 21 to 51 days depending upon the date of purchase and date of billing. Usage under Credit Card enables the cardholder to have a free Credit Period of 51 days depending upon the date of purchase and the date of billing. If the transaction happens to be a day after the billing date then this transaction will be billed in the next billing cycle. In such cases the cardholder may receive a maximum interest free credit period of about 51 days. However if the purchase is made a day or two prior to the billing date then that transactions will appear in the very next billing date in which case only a free credit period of about 21days will be available. Thus on an average the cardholder shall receive an interest free credit period of 35-37 days depending on his date of purchase.
This interest free credit period will be available only if the "Total payment amount due" on the Card stands paid in full. However if the cardholder paid only the "minimum payment due" or an amount less than the "total payment due" the interest free credit period will not be available and applicable service/finance charges will be levied from the date of transaction.
Precaution while using credit card
Report lost or stolen cards immediately
Never allow anyone else to use your card
Ensure that your card is signed on the signature panel as soon as you receive it
Never write down your PIN - memorize it
Ensure that you get your card back after every purchase
Always check sales vouchers/charge slips including purchase amount when you sign them - keep copies of sales vouchers and ATM receipts.
Never give your credit card number over the phone or on the Net, unless you are dealing with a reputable company and have initiated the call yourself
Always check your billing statement, especially after a trip. Check the amounts of your purchases with the charge slips - specifically look for transactions which are not yours.
Make a record of your credit card PIN numbers and telephone numbers for reporting lost or stolen cards. Keep that list in a safe place.
While traveling (abroad or within the country), ensure that you carry the telephone number of the card company
Know who has access to your cards. If your credit card is borrowed by a family member (spouse, child, parent), with or without your knowledge, you may be responsible for their purchase/cash withdrawal.
NOW, HERE IS A VIDEO FOR MY AMERICAN FRIENDS. DISCOVER YOURSELF WHAT IT IS?
Monday, October 8, 2007
DEBT TRAP OR DEATH TRAP!!!
DEBT TRAP OR DEATH TRAP!!!
The other day I received a phone call from a bank. I am a customer of that bank as I hold a credit card of the bank. But honestly I do not deal with credit card much because of the bitter experience I had in early 2000, the spectre of which still hunts me. Of course that was another bank and another card. The recent credit card I hold is just as a factor of safety against emergency.
Yes, I was talking of the phone call. The lady from the other side was bit excited and started conversation as if I am known to her personally. She was conversing in chaste English.
"------I am calling from so and so bank. Hearty congratulation Mr.Mallick------------------."There was deliberate pause to build up the expectations after that "HEARTY CONGRATULATION". I too started wondering about that congratulation. "Mr. Mallick, our bank has sanctioned 20,000 rupees unsecured loans against your name. Shall I send the cheque to your residence or to your office?" She continued in her chaste English, of course now with little speed, tongue more twisted to tint those words in American accent. "But-----------, I never applied for loan", I resisted meekly and nervously to hide my heavily accented- mother tongue English.
"Yeaaaaahhh", she continued. "But the loan has been sanctioned to you because of your unblemished track records with the bank. Our bank regards you as one of our valued and trusted customer."
Valued customer! Unblemished track records!! All these sound great. But neither I was in a mood to take this loan nor I was prepared to expose more of my poorly pronounced, heavily accented-mother tongue English. I decided to drop the curtain.
I replied, "Yeah, I wish to avail the loan but I do not wish to pay back. What should I do for that?" There was a long pause in other side followed by sound of crash of the telephone cradle. She must have felt like slapping me. Hmmmnnnnnn!!!
NOW MY FRIENDS, WATCH THESE TWO VIDEOS WITH LITTLE SERIOUSNESS.
What we see? Menace of debt recovery agents, suicide, Bank loans and etc. etc!!! Is it not a matter to ponder over? Now let us see what news paper report says.
For a country growing at close to double digits there is money to be made at the bottom of the pyramid. Bankers are discovering that low wage earners have the potential to upgrade their earnings by investing in their business. This has led to a mushrooming of lenders targeting the "sub prime" segments. At over 10%, the default rate in these segments is more than 10 times the default in secured loans such as home loans or even car loans. Yet lenders are finding that there are takers for these loans at annual interest rates ranging from 40% to 50%, since these borrowers have been paying more than twice these rates to moneylenders.
But what happens if you can not pay back? Your loan will be declared as NON PERFORMING ASSET for the bank. None performing asset(NPA) is a bad debt ,usually a loan that is not producing any income. If a borrower misses paying his equated monthly installment (EMI) for a period of 90days, the loan is considered as bad or NPA. There are many reasons as to why a loan goes bad.
FALL IN BUSINESS.
SUDDEN HEALTH EXPENDITURES.
JOBLESS
DEATH.
OVER LEVERAGING. (MAXIMUM PREVALENT IN AMERICA)
(Over leveraging occurs when a consumer borrows against most of his assets and also have unsecured loans too.)
In case of over leveraging the borrower in India is really trapped, call it debt trap or death trap, whatever you feel like. In America in case of over leveraging the borrower can file for bankruptcy under chapters 7, 11 and 13 of the United States Bankruptcy code. Unfortunately in India we do not have such options. In addition to this to make the matter further worse Banks are aggressively pushing loans, even the unsecured loans to individuals to prevent ideal assets. The repaying capacity of the burrower is never checked to the desired level. With the market for unsecured personal loans still at its infancy in India, there is a lack of institutions to protect both the lenders' and the borrowers' interests. In unsecured loans, lenders have no choice but to depend on the slow legal system, while borrowers do not have any specific law to guard their interest.
Hence for recovery of loans Banks resort to engaging musclemen as Debt Recovery Agents (DRAs). This is being done despite the March 2007 ruling of Supreme Court of India declaring the engaging of debt recovery agents as illegal.
Though engaging DRAs to recover the loan is an international practice, several countries have formulated laws to control the actions of DRAs. For example the Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2006 that is prevalent in America restricts the actions of DRAs.
The Act prohibits certain types of "abusive and deceptive" conduct when attempting to collect debts, including the following:
Hours for phone contact: contacting consumers by telephone outside of the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time
Contact after being asked to stop: contacting consumers in any way (other than litigation) after receiving written notice that said consumer wishes no further contact or refuses to pay the alleged debt, with certain exceptions, including advising that collection efforts are being terminated or that the collector intends to file a lawsuit or pursue other remedies where permitted
Contacting consumers at their place of employment after having been told verbally or in writing that this is not acceptable
Contacting consumer known to be represented by an attorney
Contacting consumer after request for validation: contacting the consumer or the pursuing collection efforts by the debt collector after receipt of a consumer's written request for verification of a debt (or for the name and address of the original creditor on a debt) and before the debt collector mails the consumer the requested verification or original creditor's name and address
Misrepresentation or deceit: misrepresenting the debt or using deception to collect the debt, including a debt collector's misrepresentation that he or she is an attorney or law enforcement officer
Publishing the consumer's name or address on a "bad debt" list
Seeking unjustified amounts, which would include demanding any amounts not permitted under an applicable contract or as provided under applicable law.
Threatening arrest or legal action that is either not permitted or not actually contemplated
Abusive or profane language used in the course of communication related to the debt
Contact with third parties: revealing or discussing the nature of debts with third parties (other than the consumer's spouse or attorney) or threatening such action
Contact by embarrassing media, such as communicating with the consumer by post card or using letterhead that makes it clear that the communication is from a debt collector
Reporting false information on a consumer's credit report or threatening to do so in the process of collection
Unfortunately in India no such rules or laws are in practice. We have presumed to have solved the problem by declaring the DRAs as illegal. But the reality is far from that and the menace of DRAs continues. Then what are the options available for a borrower if he/she is harassed by DRAs? There is a beautiful article in www.rediff.com regarding this. I reproduce the gist of that article herewith.
How to deal with DRAs?
If you receive threatening calls, inform the police and inform the bank that you are reporting the matter to the police.
Complain bitterly to the bank. Threaten litigation if need be. Keep an audio recorder ready to take precautions against further calls.
In the conversation, try to get the agent to clearly say what he wants from you, the name of his company and which bank has hired him.
If the goons pay you a visit, file a complaint at the nearest police station. Take photographs of the person who has come to your house and submit these to the police. You can sue the bank individually, or approach a consumer action group.
Some are listed below:
Abhay Credit Counseling Centre (Bank of India):
http://bankofindia.com/home/abhay.asp
Disha Credit Counseling Centre (ICICI Bank [Get Quote]): www.dishafc.org
International Consumer Rights Protection Council (ICRPC): www.icrpc.org
National Consumer toll free helpline: 1600-11-4000
Consumer Education Research Centre (CERC): www.cercindia.org
Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG): www.cag.org.in
Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGCI): www.cgsiindia.org
Voluntary Organization in Interest of Consumer Education: www.consumer-voice.org
Consumer Advantage: www.advantageconsumer.com
Some of the organisations may have a nominal membership fee of approximately Rs 200 a year.
Monday, October 1, 2007
POWER CORRUPTS, BUT ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY.
POWER CORRUPTS, BUT ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY.
New Delhi: India has improved its position in the comity of nations in terms of integrity as it is ranked 72 among 180 countries in the corruption index in 2007, Transparency International has said. It was at the 70th position among 163 countries in 2006. Accordingly, India's integrity index has marginally improved to 3.5 in 2007 from 3.3 a year ago on a scale of 10 points, TI said in a report released on Wednesday. India's rank at 72 in corruption index is also shared by China, Mexico, Morocco and Peru. Pakistan is way down at 138th position. Denmark, Finland and New Zealand are the least corrupt countries, which jointly top the list with integrity index of 9.4 points each. (PTI)
I am sure the news above will bring smile in every Indian face. But the question is how much of this is really reflected when we transact in our real life? Is it really things have improved for better? Is the menace of corruption in its declining path? That will be certainly fabulous if it is so.
Few days back I happened to meet one of old college met who is working as civil engineer in one of the central Government concerned. A plain and straight forward person blessed with one of the finest engineering brain. But he was highly disturbed when I met him. He feels that after putting up more than twenty years of services, he finds himself being increasingly misfit in his organization. Reasons are simple:
YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT YOU DO NOT WISH TO DO.
YOU HAVE TO BLINDLY FOLLOW THE ORDERS WHICH COME FROM THE TOP.
I, of course did not ask him about the repercussions if he does not obey the order from the top. I knew those. For that anybody in India who is in the middle management level knows that. Repercussions shall come in many forms.
In the first place the person, who does not fall in the boss's line of thinking, will be sidelined. He will be relegated to a position of extra and will be asked to deal with routine correspondences. His juniors will be encouraged to bypass him. And you must agree with me that the greatest punishment for a person is to ask him to seat ideal when things move around him in a feverish pace. Yes, it can be very easily done as our government sectors are overstaffed, which gives enough opportunity to the BOSS to maneuver and play by sidelining people.
Secondly since you have not done any meaningful job, your performance appraisal will be written accordingly. Of course, higher ups other than the boss who shall review the performance appraisal shall never know that you have not been assigned with any works.
I do not wish to write thirdly, fourthly, fifthly, blagh, blagh, blagh; etc, etc for it is all known.
Then what is the alternative? Simple. Fall in the line of boss. Here the whole issue of corruption and principle comes. It is just like, be part of the corruption and at the same time do not soil your hands and do not be part of the kick-back process. Let your boss rip the illegal benefits. It is called "BE PRACTICAL" principle of Government sectors. Morally not correct but it is ok for survival. But if something goes wrong, boss will wash his hands and all the blame shall percolate down the line. Catch-22 situation! Is not it?
So after lot of deliberation I suggested my friend to follow the "BE PRACTICAL PRINCIPLE". Pat, came the question what would happen if the vigilance latch on to the case? "Ok, say it is as per verbal instruction of the approving authority", I suggested. "After all, Boss is the approving authority. He has every right to disagree to what the junior has recommended. Boss can not escape. He will be in trouble too in case of vigilance enquiry", I argued. Then, came the last reply of my friend which left me totally unarmed and defenseless.
"As per vigilance rule the recommending authority is equally responsible in case of any misappropriation, hence Boss will be caught and I too will be caught. My Boss can pay the penalty back as he has earned enough illegally. But from where shall I get the money to pay back?", he replied.
Sure! There is no denial and refusal to what he stated!! Just imagine the plight!!! Then where do we end then? Accept the corruption? Flow with the wind? I did not wish to suggest him to be a Whistle-blower. I have not forgotten Shanmugam Manjunath, the brilliant boy from IIM, Lucknow who was murdered while working for Indian Oil Corporation. Nor have I forgotten the murder of IITian S.K.Dubey while serving for National Highway Authority of India. So how to deal with this type of scenario?
Just reverse the scenario and think. Here, we have corrupt Boss and honest sub-ordinate. Sub-ordinate can not control the scenario. Ok. If we have corrupt sub-ordinate and honest boss, then? If we go by the rule that Boss rules, you will agree with me that in the second scenario the corruption can be prevented to a large extent. But can we make the Boss honest? How? Ok, can we force him to be honest? Possible! Yes, possible!! Simply change the vigilance rule, in case of any misappropriation hold only the approving authority as responsible. Leave apart the recommending authority. I am sure this shall work. If you think I am asking for too much from the approving authority. Let it be so. If approving authority can not carry the burden of the responsibility, let him/her opt for voluntary retirement scheme. No problem. An agile and dynamic shall take over.
This is the concept of GANDHIGIRI of Munna Bhai in Munna Bhai's style. Then why do not we change the vigilance rule? Ok, some concepts are only good for discussing, not for implementing. We dwell in duality. We love duality. We thrive in duality. Think and read between the lines.
NOW MY NON-INDIAN FRIENDS WHO ARE INTERSETED TO KNOW ABOUT THE STANDING OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES AS FAR AS THE CORRUPTION GOES, HERE IS THE LIST.
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