Wednesday, July 25, 2007

So long......Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam

Born on 15th October 1931 at Rameswaram, in Tamil Nadu, Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, specialized in Aero Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology. He initially worked in DRDO in 1958 and then joined ISRO in 1963. Dr. Kalam has made significant contribution to Indian satellite and launch vehicles of ISRO and also in the missile programme of DRDO. As project Director, SLV-III, he contributed for the design, development and management of India’s first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) to inject Rohini satellite in the near earth orbit. He was responsible for the evolution of ISRO’s launch vehicles programme and configurations. He rejoined DRDO in 1982 and conceived the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) for indigenous missiles. He was Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister and Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development from July 1992 to December 1999. As Chairman, Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), he generated the Technology Vision 2020 documents – a road map for transforming India from Developing India to Developed India. He provided overall guidance to a number of Homegrown Technology Projects and major technology missions such as Sugar, Advanced Composites and Fly Ash utilization. Dr. Kalam has served as the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, in the rank of Cabinet Minister, from November 1999 to November 2001. He was primarily responsible for evolving policies, strategies and missions for generation of innovations and support systems for multiple applications. Also, generating science and technology task in strategic, economic and social sectors in partnership with Government departments, institutions and industry. Dr. Kalam was also the Chairman, Ex-officio, of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet (SAC-C).

Dr. Kalam took up academic pursuit as Professor, Technology & Societal Transformation at Anna University, Chennai and involved in teaching and research tasks. Above all he is on his mission to ignite the young minds for national development by meeting high school students across the country.

Dr. Kalam was conferred with the Degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc. Honoris Causa) by 30 universities/academic institutions. He is recipient of several awards including the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration 1997. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has been awarded Padma Bhushan in 1981, Padma Vibhushan in 1990 and BHARAT RATNA in 1997.

He gave a great speech as his Thanksgiving speech to the nation on July 24, 2007. Reproduced below is the text.





Friends, I am delighted to address you all, in the country and those living abroad, after working with you and completing five beautiful and eventful years in Rashtrapati Bhavan. Today, it is indeed a thanks giving occasion. I would like to narrate, how I enjoyed every minute of my tenure enriched by the wonderful association from each one of you, hailing from different walks of life, be it politics, science and technology, academics, arts, literature, business, judiciary, administration, local bodies, farming, home makers, special children, media and above all from the youth and student community who are the future wealth of our country. During my interaction at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi and at every state and union territory as well as through my online interactions, I have many unique experiences to share with you, which signify the following important messages:

1. Accelerate development : Aspiration of the youth,

2. Empower villages,

3. Mobilize rural core competence for competitiveness,

4. Seed to Food: Backbone for agricultural growth

5. Defeat problems and succeed,

6. Overcome problems through partnership,

7. Courage in combating calamities,

8. Connectivity for societal transformation,

9. Defending the nation: Our pride and

10. Youth movement for Developed India 2020.

Now let me share with you each of the messages.


Accelerate Development: Aspiration of the youth

While there were many significant events during my tenure, a question from a little girl Anukriti of Sri Sathya Sai Jagriti Vidya Mandir School, of Darwa village from Haryana, during children’s visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 22, 2006, rings in my mind ever after.

Anukriti asked me “why India cannot become a developed nation before the year 2020”. I appreciated the question and said it was indeed a thoughtful question and assured her that that her dream would be taken to the highest institution of the nation and we would work for it to achieve before 2020. This question reflects how the desire to live in developed India has entered into the minds of the youth. The same feelings are echoed by over fifteen lakh youth, whom I have met so far and who represent the dream of the 540 million youth of the nation. The aspirations of the young to live in a prosperous, safe and proud India should be the guiding factor in whatever profession we contribute.


Empower Villages

Friends, I recall my visit to Nagaland on 26th October 2002, soon after my assuming office as President. It was a unique experience for me at Khuzama village to meet tribal village council members and discuss with them the village progress and the dream of village citizens. I was very happy to see the empowered village council functioning with financial powers and taking decisions. I saw a prosperous village with fruits and vegetables production. However, there is a need for providing physical connectivity in Nagaland through quality roads for enabling faster movement of products from villages to the market. That meeting gave me a powerful message about the transformation which can take place to the 600,000 villages of India, if all the villages are empowered to deal with their development and are well connected among themselves and with the urban societies.


Mobilizing rural core competence for competitiveness

Now I would like to talk about the initiative of Periyar Maniammai College of Technology for Women, Vallam, Tanjore of Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) complex involving 65 villages with a population of 3 lakhs. This includes provision of three connectivities - physical, electronic and knowledge - leading to economic connectivity. Periyar PURA has health care centers, primary to post graduate level education and vocational training centers. This has resulted in large-scale employment generation and creation of number of entrepreneurs with the active support of 1000 self-help groups. Two hundred acres of waste land has been developed into a cultivable land. The villagers are busy in cultivation, planting Jatropha, herbal and medicinal plants, power generation using bio-mass, food processing and above all running marketing centers. It provides a sustainable economic development model for the whole region.

During the last eight months, people of Periyar PURA villages technologically supported by Periyar Maniammai College of Engineering for Women have worked with experts from Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) on various products, for which core competence and raw material are available in Thanjavur district. They developed internationally competitive prototypes for 55 life style products with support of JETRO specialists and feedback from exhibitions at Delhi and Tokyo. This co-operative venture has enhanced the innovative ability of the people of all the 65 villages enabling them to develop and produce internationally acceptable products. I have seen similar type of PURA being established in many states. The whole country needs 7000 PURA to bridging the rural – urban divide.


Seed to Food: Backbone for agricultural growth

Let me now share with you, the enriching experience I had, while meeting more than 6000 farmers from different States and Union Territories visiting Rashtrapati Bhavan. They evinced keen interest in the Mughal Gardens, the Herbal Gardens, the Spiritual Garden, the Musical Garden, the Bio-diesel garden and the Nutrition Garden and interact with the Horticultural specialists. Recently, during my address to the agricultural scientists while participating in a National Symposium on “Agriculture Cannot Wait”, I summarized the many practical suggestions given by farmers. We have to double the agricultural production with reduced land, reduced water resources and reduced manpower and improve the economic conditions of the nation through the principle of “Seed to Food” since agriculture is the backbone of the nation. We should empower the farmers to protect and nurture the fertile land for second green revolution. Meeting the Scientists and the Farmers has given me the confidence that the nation is poised to increase the agricultural GDP growth by atleast 4% per annum through the partnership of farmers and agricultural scientists and industries particularly for value addition.


Defeat the problems and succeed

On the evening of February 24, 2007, at Coimbatore, I had a very beautiful experience. As I got ready for meeting the first person out of twenty appointments, a wheel chair was in sight with a smiling person probably in his late fifties; unfortunately he has no hands and legs. His radiant face was revealing his happy state of mind. He introduced himself as Vidwan Coimbatore SR Krishna Murthy. I greeted him and asked him how this had happened. He smilingly said that it was from by birth. He thanked God, his parents, teachers and many others for giving him confidence, training and help. I asked him, what I could do for him? He said, “I don’t need anything from you. I would like to sing in front of you”. I readily agreed. He sang melodiously the Saint Thyagraja’s pancha ratna kriti entharo mahanubavulu in Sriragam giving me a glimpse of his talent. I was quite touched. What is the message? Despite being physically challenged, the latent talent of music could blossom in this person with his positive attitude and perseverance, encouraged by the parents, teachers, academics and rasikas. Now he wants to give, give and give his art to inspire others. Of course, by his merit of music, in July 2007, he performed in the Rashtrapati Bhavan art theatre.


Overcome the impact of disaster through partnership

I had the opportunity to experience the Indomitable Spirit of the people and children of Jammu & Kashmir even as they were just recovering from the devastating earthquake in 2005. I visited Urusa village on 26th November 2005 which has been adopted by the Western Air Command, Air Force for providing relief and medical aid to the residents of that area. When I went there, I found that the school building had been severely damaged. I met all the school children and the village citizen of Urusa. The villagers apprised me of their losses and had all praise for Army and Air Force role in rescue and relief operations along with state government. I appreciate the courage of the people of Urusa in defeating their problems. They have actually become the master of the problem rather than allowing problems to become their master. Despite the severe loss due to the earthquake, the children and the members of the village participated in the relief operation with the Armed Forces bravely and were smiling when I went to meet them. They interacted with me and said that the school was functional in the temporary tents. Here, I also witnessed the participation of acting Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir along with State Government authorities in on-the-spot settlement of relief grants to be provided to the victims whose houses had been damaged in the earth quake. I have experienced many such acts of courage from our citizens when faced with severe challenges.


Courage in combating calamities

In 2005, I met the Tribal Council Leaders, Students, Children of Chuckchucha village during my visit to Car Nicobar Islands. While various reconstruction and rehabilitation activities were in progress, during the discussions with the members of tribal council, I realized the unique trait among the Car-Nicobar islanders. Even though there were many human losses due to the Tsunami of 26 Dec 2004, the tribal islanders had taken possession of affected victims as their children and there is nothing like orphanage in Car-Nicobar Islands. Touched by their courage, I composed few verses called “Sea Waves” which reads as follows:

Sea Waves

We are the children of Sea waves,
Sea waves are my friends.
When they become angry,
Sea waves give the challenges.
God has given the courage,
To challenge the sea waves.
And we will succeed,
We will succeed
With Almighty’s grace.

All the members who were gathered in the village sang the poem with me and exhibited lots of courage and enthusiasm even though they had gone through severe suffering during the Tsunami.


Connectivity for societal transformation

I addressed the Pan African Parliament on 16 September 2004, at Johannesburg, South Africa. This was attended by 53 member countries of the African Union, where I proposed the concept of Pan African e-Network for providing seamless and integrated satellite, fiber optics and wireless network connecting 53 African countries at an estimated cost of US $ 100 million.

As part of the project 12 universities (7 from India and 5 from Africa), 17 Super Specialty Hospitals (12 from India and 5 from Africa), 53 tele-medicine centers and 53 tele-education centres in Africa will be connected. The pilot project on tele-education and tele-medicine in Ethiopia has already been commissioned. Indira Gandhi National Open University has taken up the MBA Course for 34 Ethiopian students of Addis Ababa and Harmaya Universities. As regards, tele-medicine, the specialists from CARE Hospital, Hyderabad are providing one-hour live tele-consultation to doctors in Black Lion Hospital, Addis Ababa in Cardiology and Radiology since November 2006. Using the Pan African network the Heads of the State in all the 53 countries will be connected for instant communication. I am extremely happy that Indian experience in bringing the benefits of technology to the people has enabled us to work with Africa to bring societal transformation in the African continent.


Defending the nation: Our pride

I visited KUMAR in Siachen Glacier located at 17,000 feet altitude held by the Indian Army, had a memorable underwater journey in INS Sindhurakshak and flew in a Sukhoi-30 fighter experiencing 2.5 g. In these three experiences, I personally felt proud of our ever vigilant Soldiers, Sailors and Air Warriors performing their tasks beyond the call of their duty even in the most adverse circumstances natural and man made. During the last five years, I had an opportunity to present colours to many regiments, participate in number of passing out parades, meet the troops who were going to undertake peace missions and interact with the family members of our Defence Forces. Our Defence Forces are in a beautiful mission. When the nation sleeps during night, Members of our Defence teams are awake to guard us and remain vigilant to counter any threat. The Nation cherishes the valour, commitment and devotion to duty of our Defence Forces. Similarly, I had opportunities to interact with members of our para-military forces, central and state police personnel including internal security forces who are making immense contribution in augmenting the safety and security of our citizens under difficult conditions.


Youth movement for Developed India 2020

Recently, in Hyderabad, I met a group of citizens who are putting into practice the motto of transforming of our youth into enlightened citizen. The Lead India 2020 Foundation created by Dr. N.B. Sudershan at Hyderabad is training thousands of students in many districts of Andhra Pradesh in partnership with the District Administration. Particularly, I happened to know the transformation which has taken place among the students of Medak district. As per the district authorities the impact of the training on the students is visible in terms of self-discipline, love for their parents and teachers shedding of stage fear and recognition of their duties towards the nation. I talked to Ms. Padma, a student leader from Andhra Pradesh Tribal Welfare School, Nalgonda who related how she weaned her father away from smoking after imbibing the spirit of the 10 point oath from the Lead India Training Camp. This gives me an assurance that the youth of our country are on the right path through this mission oriented programme. With the ignited minds of the 540 million youth below the age of 25, which I consider is the most powerful resource on the earth, under the earth and above the earth, we have to empower the youth through value based education and leadership.


Conclusion

I was touched by the variety of Indian panorama, emotional content of the tune, cultural diversity and unity of minds in the vast land of ours. I have cited these examples just to give a glimpse of the richness of our tradition and effort being taken by different agencies to preserve it. There are also many new adventures by institutions and individuals. I have experienced many of them and learnt a lot about my country and our people. Even while pursuing our economic growth, we need to do a lot to preserve the rich and diverse treasures of our culture and civilization. It is our duty for our future generations. This has to be done in a much larger scale through countrywide participation of multiple institutions. Our country is blessed with natural resources, has shown considerable progress in the last sixty years, and above all we have hard working people particularly the power of the 540 million youth of the country. Every sector of our country has given me the confidence that India can become a developed nation well before 2020. Whomsoever, I met they constantly ask what they can give to the nation. We should constantly strive to empower such members of the society. With this spirit, I am extremely happy that we are on the right path. Here I am reminded of a famous poem:

"When you wish upon a star,
Makes no difference who you are,
Anything your heart desires,
Will come to you”

This poem is true to all of us, and particularly for our youth and if they aim great, I am sure they will reach close to the target or the target.

My dear citizens, let us resolve to continue to work for realizing the missions of developed India 2020 with the following distinctive profile.

1. A Nation where the rural and urban divide has reduced to a thin line.

2. A Nation where there is an equitable distribution and adequate access to energy and quality water.

3. A Nation where agriculture, industry and service sector work together in symphony.

4. A Nation where education with value system is not denied to any meritorious candidates because of societal or economic discrimination.

5. A Nation which is the best destination for the most talented scholars, scientists, and investors.

6. A Nation where the best of health care is available to all.

7. A Nation where the governance is responsive, transparent and corruption free.

8. A Nation where poverty has been totally eradicated, illiteracy removed and crimes against women and children are absent and none in the society feels alienated.

9. A Nation that is prosperous, healthy, secure, peaceful and happy and continues with a sustainable growth path.

10. A Nation that is one of the best places to live in and is proud of its leadership.

Finally let me thank each one of you for showering your love and affection on me throughout the last five years by your cooperation and support.

Dear Citizens, I conclude my address by sharing with you my mission in life which is to bring connectivity between billion hearts and minds of the people of India in our multicultural society and to embed the self confidence that "we can do it". I will be always with you, dear citizens, in the great mission of making India a developed nation before 2020.

May God bless you.

Jai hind.

Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam


Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Sorry you cannot buy land in Himachal

First thing first. Non-Himachalis, cannot buy land in Himachal. Sorry friends, who thought or were very happy that the Himachal government recently, opened up land in the state to outsiders, would be for a rude shock that the government hasn’t. But, there is still hope as you can buy a flat, but, not land, that to only through schemes of Himachal Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA).

There are many schemes launched by the land mafia and customers are lured from far away places, who are unaware of the exact rules, and later many such schemes fail to take off or are declared illegal by the government leaving unsuspected customers with heavy losses.

The correct position in Himachal is as follows:

  • Land has been opened up only for one, industries and two for private builders, and that too only in selected areas in Himachal. And that too, the land would not be in an individual’s name but in the company’s name, only after strict environmental norms and other regulations. In Himachal, the government is giving special consideration for alloting land in areas like Baddi, Parwanoo, Nalagarh and Barotiwala in Solan district; Kala Amb and Paonta Sahib in Sirmour district; Amb and Gagret in district Una; Sansarpur Terrace in district Kangra, for setting up industries, tourism projects and hydel projects (most of them at self identified spots of the companies). So the matter rests here.
  • However, there is no “known” upper or lower limt restriction as such set by the government for buying land for the puposes mentioned above.
  • But you still have some hope. If you are a non-Himachali, you can buy (mind you) a flat by applying to Himachal Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA). But according to their norms, one family can buy only one flat. (e.g. A husband and wife will be alloted only one flat.)
Before the year 1966, there was no bar on non-Himachalis for buying land in Himachal Pradesh. At that time, there was less money in circulation in the economy of Himachal Pradesh. The two basic source of income at that time were government jobs or agriculture and most of the land was being purchased by outsiders. It was during the regime of the then Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Parmar that ban on land sale to people from outside the state was implemented.
  • According to the rules, all those (non-Himachalis) who have settled in Himachal before 1972, do not have to take permission from the government for buying land for residential purpose. But for commercial purposes, like hotel, industry or hydel projects, both non-Himachalis - those staying here before 1972 or thereafter can only get land after their case is approved by the cabinet.
  • Every non-Himachali’s case for buying land in Himachal is sent to the cabinet for approval. So real tough to get through.
  • In most of the cases it has been seen that the decision to allot land, totally depends upon the discretion of the government. In rare cases, like if a person is serving as a government employee in the state for long, is s/he allowed to buy land.
  • Agricultural land can only be sold to a Himcahali agriculturist (strictly). So forget that. But considering the shortage of land in Shimla, there is a proposal for conversion of agricultural land on the outskirts of Shimla for commercial or housing purposes (but decision is still awaited).

For most of these proposals, non-Himachalis can either avail more information from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Shimla or HIMUDA.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Petra (Jordan)











Of all the seven new wonders of the world, Petra, is the least well known especially in India. Petra ("petra", rock in Greek) is an archaeological site in Jordan, lying in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Wadi Araba, the great valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. It is famous for having many stone structures carved into the rock. The long-hidden site was revealed to the Western world by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812. Its famous description "a rose-red city half as old as time" is the final line. Some great pictures of Petra.

THE NEW 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD

The Great Wall of China (220 B.C and 1368 - 1644 A.D.) China

The Great Wall of China was built to link existing fortifications into a united
defense system and better keep invading Mongol tribes out of China.
It is the largest man-made monument ever to have been built and it is disputed
that it is the only one visible from space. Many thousands of people must have given their lives to build this colossal construction.


Petra (9 B.C. - 40 A.D.), Jordan

On the edge of the Arabian Desert, Petra was the glittering capital of the
Nabataean empire of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to 40 A.D.). Masters of water technology, the Nabataeans provided their city with great
tunnel constructions and water chambers. A theater, modelled on Greek-Roman
prototypes, had space for an audience of 4,000. Today, the Palace Tombs of Petra, with the 42-meter-high Hellenistic temple facade on the El-Deir Monastery, are impressive examples of Middle Eastern culture.



Christ Redeemer (1931) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This statue of Jesus stands some 38 meters tall, atop the Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro. Designed by Brazilian Heitor da Silva Costa
and created by French sculptor Paul Landowski, it is one of the world’s best-known monuments. The statue took five years to construct and was inaugurated on October 12, 1931. It has become a symbol of the city and of the warmth of the Brazilian people, who receive visitors with open arms.










Machu Picchu (1460-1470), Peru

In the 15th century, the Incan Emperor Pachacútec built a city in the clouds on the mountain known as Machu Picchu ("old mountain"). This extraordinary settlement lies halfway up the Andes Plateau, deep in the Amazon jungle and above the Urubamba River. It was probably abandoned by the Incas because of a smallpox outbreak and, after the
Spanish defeated the Incan Empire, the city remained 'lost' for over three centuries.
It was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911.



The Pyramid at Chichén Itzá (before 800 A.D.) Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Chichén Itzá, the most famous Mayan temple city, served as the political and economic
center of the Mayan civilization. Its various structures - the pyramid of Kukulkan,
the Temple of Chac Mool, the Hall of the Thousand Pillars, and the Playing Field of the
Prisoners – can still be seen today and are demonstrative of an extraordinary commitment
to architectural space and composition. The pyramid itself was the last, and arguably the greatest, of all Mayan temples.



The Roman Colosseum (70 - 82 A.D.) Rome, Italy

This great amphitheater in the centre of Rome was built to give favors to
successful legionnaires and to celebrate the glory of the Roman Empire.
Its design concept still stands to this very day, and virtually every modern
sports stadium some 2,000 years later still bears the irresistible imprint of the
Colosseum's original design. Today, through films and history books, we are even more
aware of the cruel fights and games that took place in this arena, all for the joy of the spectators.



The Taj Mahal (1630 A.D.) Agra, India

This immense mausoleum was built on the orders of Shah Jahan, the fifth Muslim
Mogul emperor, to honor the memory of his beloved late wife. Built out of white marble
and standing in formally laid-out walled gardens, the Taj Mahal is regarded as the most
perfect jewel of Muslim art in India. The emperor was consequently jailed and, it is said,
could then only see the Taj Mahal out of his small cell window.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Things You Don't Want to Hear During Surgery

"Better save that. We'll need it for the autopsy."

"Someone call the janitor - we're going to need a mop!"

"Accept this sacrifice, O Great Lord of Darkness"

"Bo Bo! Come back with that! Bad Dog!"

"Wait a minute, if this is his spleen, then what's that?"

"Hand me that...uh...that uh...thingie."

"Oh no! I just lost my Rolex."

"Oops! Hey, has anyone ever survived 500ml of this stuff before?"

"Darn, there go the lights again...."

"Ya know, there's big money in kidneys. Heck, the guy's got two of 'em."

"Everybody stand back! I lost my contact lens!"

"Could you stop that thing from beating? It's throwing off my concentration."

"What's this doing here?"

"That's cool! Now can you make his leg twitch?"

"I wish I hadn't forgotten my glasses."

"Well, folks, this will be an experiment for all of us."

"Sterile, shcmerile. The floor's clean, right?"

"What do you mean, he wasn't in for a sex change?"

"Anyone see where I left that scalpel?"

"And now we remove the subject's brain and place it in the body of the ape."

"Ok. Now take a picture from this angle. This is truly a freak of nature."

"This patient has already had some kids, right?"

"Nurse, did this patient sign the organ donation card?"

"Don't worry. I think this is sharp enough."

"FIRE! FIRE! Everybody get out NOW!"

"Sister! Page 47 of the manual is missing!"

Doctors: What They Say & What They Really Mean

"This should be taken care of right away."
"I'd planned a trip to Hawaii next month but this is
so easy and profitable that I want to fix it before it cures
itself."


"Welllllll, what have we here..."
Since he hasn't the foggiest notion of what it is, the
Doctor is hoping you will give him a clue.


"We'll see."
"First I have to check my malpractice insurance."


"Let me check your medical history."
"I want to see if you've paid your last bill before
spending any more time with you."


"Why don't we make another appointment later in the week."
"I'm playing golf this afternoon, and this a waste of time."
-or-
"I need the money, so I'm charging you for another
office visit."


"I really can't recommend seeing a chiropractor."
"I hate those guys mooching in on our fees."


"Hmmmmmmmm."
Since he hasn't the faintest idea of what to do, he is
trying to appear thoughtful while hoping the nurse will
interrupt.


"We have some good news and some bad news."
The good news is he's going to buy that new BMW, and
the bad news is you're going to pay for it.


"Let's see how it develops."
"Maybe in a few days it will grow into something that
can be cured."


"Let me schedule you for some tests."
"I have a 40% interest in the lab."


"How are we today?"
"I feel great. You, on the other hand, look like hell."


"I'd like to prescribe a new drug."
"I'm writing a paper and would like to use you for a
guinea pig."


"If it doesn't clear up in a week, give me a call."
"I don't know what the hell it is. Maybe it will go
away by itself."


"That's quite a nasty looking wound."
"I think I'm going to throw up."


"This may smart a little."
"Last week two patients bit through their tongues."


"This should fix you up."
"The drug salesman guaranteed that it kills all
symptoms."

"Everything seems to be normal."
"I guess I can't buy that new apartment after all."


"I'd like to run some more tests."
"I can't figure out what's wrong. Maybe the kid in the
lab can solve this one."


"Do you suppose all of this stress could be affecting
your nerves?"
He thinks you are crazy and is hoping to find a
psychiatrist who will split fees.


"If those symptoms persist, call for an appointment."
"I've never heard of anything so disgusting. Thank God
I'm off next week.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Magarpatta City: The farmers’ cybercity






Magarpatta City is a modern township on the outskirts of Pune. From a distance, it resembles any other modern township that has sprung up around New Delhi or Bangalore or Hyderabad. It consists of the essential element of modern Indian urban life – a mini golf course, an artificial lake, a cyber city with buildings in gleaming glass and multistoried residential buildings.

This is where the similarities end. What sets apart the Magarpatta City project from other development projects elsewhere in the country is that this was conceived and implemented by a group of farmers

who, till only a few years ago, were ploughing their little plots of land in the area.

The concept of Magarpatta City took roots in the early 1990s. On the outskirts of Pune, about 100 families cling to their ancestral farms when the concrete jungle and real estate developers threaten to swallow them. Clinging together, for two decades they oppose the Pune city administrators who want to convert their village, Magarpatta, to an urban zone. It was then that it struck them that they need not oppose the development but could build a city of their own, by pooling their land. They knew their lands would eventually have buildings and not sugarcane on them.

The farmers started with borrowed capital of around US $ 440,000. Over about five years, they have already spent about US $ 17 million in developing the city. When the city is complete, it will have dwellings for 12,000 families (or 50,000 people) and four million square feet in workspace for 40,000 people. About 4000 people will be employed in support services, as against 1200 employed in agriculture years ago.

By the time the city is complete in 2008, the project will have consumed US $ 445 million. These farmers knew little about the construction business and had little money. That did not deter them. They pooled their lands to form a cooperative-like structure where each family got shares equal to size of the land each family owned. Later they converted this entity into a formal company, Magarpatta Township Development and Construction Company.


There were some tricky issues. A statute called the Urban Land Ceiling Act came in the way stipulating that no company or individual could own more than 1000 square meters in urban areas. Farmers needed a waiver for their company. After dealing with all levels of the government, the land was acquired as a single mass after a six-year delay.

The project took off in 2000. After the early years, when the paperwork was in place, the farmers’ cooperative sent architects based in Pune to study townships abroad. Gradually, the finer details of a plan fell into place. It was decided that Magarpatta City would adopt the San Jose-Santa Clara 'walk-to-work' concept. There would be no buildings on a quarter of the land. It would be left open. Now, the project of the farmer-turned-promoters is setting amenity standards for the rest of India. For example, Magarpatta City has one of the largest residential Solar Water-Heating systems in the country with a capacity to heat up to 1.2 lakh litres of water per day. Till date, solar panels have been put in 1000 residential apartment. Once complete, the total capacity of the solar project will be around 700,000 litres a day, and the city is expected to shave off US $ 850000 off its electricity bill every year.

Besides creating swank homes, it is targeting new age industries like software services and BPO. It has been built to global standards. It has been driven by private initiative. Over half a dozen companies have signed up to move into the first cybercity building. About 3,000 people work for these companies, which include Avaya, Sybase, EXL Service and Aviva Life Insurance. Once new sections in the city come up, companies like EDS, Amdocs and Cymbal Corporation will move in. Meanwhile, the farmer promoters have decided not to sit around. Some have bought vehicles to start a transportation business. Other villagers have invested their money in buying machinery to make aluminium channels or pre-cast concrete slabs to be used in the buildings. Many are learning new skills in IT and marketing to of use to the new township. All the while, property rates in the township are rising.

The Magarpatta experiment seems to have paid dividends. It is no longer an exception. A recent change in statute in Maharashtra now allows agricultural land to be pooled together for constructing residential and commercial townships. This is seen as a revolutionary step by which farmers can leverage the value of what is usually their sole possession, land, and earn much higher incomes than what they normally do. Magarpatta City – in fact is an extension of an earlier experiment that took place a few decades ago at another shantytown adjoining Pune.

For a number of years, Pune was known only for its pensioners and centres of learning. When the city’s landscape began changing a few decades ago with industrial and scientific establishments setting up projects in the city, an enterprising local politician named Annasaheb Magar got the government to back his idea of creating Pimpri-Chinchwad, now a bustling industrial township on the outskirts and one of the country's richest municipalities.

Magarpatta City is Part II of the same dream, now being fulfilled by Annasaheb’s nephew, Satish Magar. As they say, it’s all in the family.


Madhubala, the Venus Queen


Madhubala was without doubt the most beautiful Hindi Film heroine ever. And also perhaps the most underrated actress ever with her beauty attracting more attention than her performances. She was brilliant in comedy with her sense of comic timing spot on and she came up with performances of high dramatic calibre in Amar (1954) and the unforgettable Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

Born in abject poverty, the 5th of 11 children, Madhubala began life in the film world as a child star, Baby Mumtaz, in films like Bombay Talkies Basant (1942). It was Kidar Sharma who gave her a break as heroine opposite Raj Kapoor in Neel Kamal (1947).

However it was with the Bombay Talkies suspense thriller Mahal (1949) that Madhubala became a star. Aaega aanewala from the film remains her signature song till today! A spate of films followed opposite the top leading men of the day-Ashok Kumar, Rehman, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand but by the mid 1950s when some of her major films like Mehboob Khan's Amar flopped, Madhubala, the most beautiful actress in the country was declared 'box office poison!' Further, she had gotten involved with Dilip Kumar and this took its toll on her as she could not face her father's opposition of him and ultimately had to bow out of Naya Daur (1957) opposite him following a scandalous court case.

She however bounced back with a string of hits in the 1958-60 period - Phagun (1958), Howrah Bridge (1958), Kala Pani (1958), Chalti ka Naam Gaadi (1958) - all among her more memorable films and of course Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

As the club dancer in Howrah Bridge Madhubala never looked more beautiful or alluring as she swayed to the seductive notes of Aaiye Mehrbaan. And she matched Kishore Kumar step by step in his madcap antics in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi. However it was Mughal-e-Azam that saw perhaps her greatest performance as the doomed courtesan Anarkali. The film showed off the finely modulated depth she could bring to her performances if given the opportunity. It is an outstanding performance in an outstanding film.

Tragically by now she was diagnosed as having a hole in her heart and her illness forced her to abbreviate her career. She also plunged into a loveless marriage with Kishore Kumar and lingered on for nine years till her death in 1969.

She did have the odd release in this period like Passport (1961), Half Ticket (1962) and Sharabi (1964) but they were mostly old films that managed to limp towards release. In fact Jwala released almost two years after her death in 1971! She did try making a comeback opposite Raj Kapoor in Chaalaak (1964) but collapsed on the sets on the very first day of shooting and the film was shelved.

Even today the very mention of the name Madhubala conjures up the image of those dancing eyes, that lopsided smile