Unlock June '21

 

Unlock in June ’21.

Since the count of going in for lock down to unlock is indeterminate, let us call the current unlock notifications being announced as Unlock ’21.

What are the primary considerations and do they satisfy the acceptable levels is the question? The ‘acceptable levels’ is set based on parameters gleamed from the learned and lived experience of the past year by us. It is corroborated with the data, findings from other nations which are shared by a few countries. Let us see what are the parameters and check whether we meet or not in respect of Chennai & surroundings.

1.    Case load should be substantially less. This is best seen by assessing the occupancy of ICU with covid cases and number of hospital beds availability for treating serious cases, including O2 consumption levels. Best norm is that the available capacity for all the factors should be over 75%.

2.    Net positivity rate with reasonable levels of testing using RT PCR tests, should be lower than 5%.

3.    Have we vaccinated persons adequately? This should be over 60% of the vulnerable and 30% of the 18-45 age group.

For Chennai we seem to be meeting the first two but are failing on the last question.

When you look at Chennai, one must take it account the adjoining districts with which close links exist. There are millions of daily commuters who criss-cross with in the districts. The table prepared from available date is shared below:

District
	First Dose Administered			Second Dose Administered		Population
	Nos.	% age of Population		Nos.	%age of Population
Chengalpattu	3,85,302	15%		89,183	3%	25,60,000
Chennai	19,87,345	28%		6,05,475	9%	71,00,000
Tiruvannamalai	73,970	3%		12,788	1%	24,71,000
Kancheepuram	1,40,084	12%		24,315	2%	11,70,000
Ranipet	1,10,040	9%		18,429	2%	12,10,000
Vellore	2,15,029	13%		61,645	4%	16,10,000
	29,11,770			8,11,835		1,61,21,000

 

Obviously, we are failing here. The granular date for the different age group show that we have not crossed the threshold of 50% for a single dose for the vulnerable group.

The effort to vaccinate has been humungous; but not adequate. The reasons are vaccine shortage and vaccine hesitancy. Unless you address these and bring up the vaccinated levels it is unwise to unlock. But since for other considerations unlock may happen, it is preferable that individuals take proper precautions. Else we will harm those yet to be vaccinated, which is predominantly children.

 

My mother tongue, Mother & much more..

 

“Indian English is a Prakrit, not a creole, says linguist Peggy Mohan’, was the quote in the Sunday magazine of The Hindu which triggered my thoughts on mother tongue and the importance given in our community / society to mothers, sisters.

A Caveat: I moved to North India for my graduate studies, before I turned 18. I had to learn another language. It took a while to become fluent in that language, that too the college variety.  There was discrimination which hurt. It aroused the feelings of my passion for mother tongue Tamil, which I had ignored all along. I was groomed in English Medium and had Sanskrit as my second language.

The discrimination hurt, caused deep regret and I still carry it. This manifests itself in many forms including a bias for my mother tongue. I believe that any attempt to specialise in a language other than mother tongue should not be done in isolation.

The quote also resonated with other ideas running in my mind. There were thoughts which you pick up over reading thoughtful essays or books. Let me explore them

1.      I. The two books of the trilogy by “Guns, Gems & Steel” and “The third Chimpanzee” by Jared Diamond were transformative for me. The author through his powerful analysis and examples convinces that the human species has essentially emerged through transformation by influential factors predominantly local, played over the millennia. It has been the survival of the fittest accentuated by the evolutionary process under influence of multiple socio, cultural and environmental factors.

While this has resulted in significant changes in appearance, habits, behaviour, beliefs, amongst communities, to distinguish by religion or language or the artificial national borders when you look at the larger populace is futile. The future of our species lies in thinking we as one. Any other approach will be ‘cannibalising’ the other community in some form, directly or indirectly, as it happened with Neanderthals.

At the same time to find uniformity or conformance of uniformity through imposition of a single man or grups’ diktats, be it language or religion or dietary habits, means infringing on freedom of the individual and community as we know today - ‘the right to life’.

1.    II The next idea is the studies of anthropology and the exploration of evidences as discovered through artefacts, fossils, language and much more. Two distinct traits present amongst the Indian population are traced back to eons ago, to the initial community who moved to this land of opportunity. One has come from Eurasia and the other local / South Asia. Be it the difference in the domesticated animals or the staple foods we like and consume, or the various aspects of our development, languages we speak etc, there are multiple supporting evidences for this trait through centuries.

But the recent Indian history, spanning say from the 17^th century to first part of the 20^th century, these communities had steered their progeny through substantial shift in beliefs and practices. Be it the ‘morals’ of Victorian era enforced through the colonisers authority or the duplicity of the democratic rights practiced by them or the multitude of missionaries who criss-crossed our landscape advocating their ‘superior’ practices especially amongst deprived class, there was a tumultuous impact on the core beliefs of our ethos.

That this has brought its benefits to many and pushed to further disadvantage many is an issue.

But the traces of origin, the beliefs and the habits some of which the community have hung on to is through their language, cuisine and religious beliefs for sure. That is challenged in the current context at the home. Alas my generation have crossed key milestones in our life span without paying due attention to it. Such an action is crass for our own and our progeny’s good.

III. The third idea is Matrilineal concept. This is one concept which has been captured in a completely different context by this quote ‘Indian English is a Prakrit, not a creole’. The author argues, that mothers were a liability at sea and in war zones. Therefore sea farers and warriors / raiders through lands. had to necessarily travel on their own to new lands. These men took wives and concubines at the conquered areas. Their sires who grew with both parents were influenced by both the languages of parents. Then were the official languages of the court / rulers which they had to learn as they grew up.  Diction and the grammar evolved through such multiple influences as per the author. This is a startling perspective.

  IV.        The thread which I liked most and which brings in much emotions is the neglect of mothers by the intelligentsia. Given that till recently mother was the main care giver and their character, education and well-being was tantamount to the success of the off springs are to me clear indicators that the matrilineal system as practiced in some parts of India was superior and has helped preserve some of our practices.

Some communities who practiced the matrilineal concept and gave a superior status to their mothers and sisters, can again be faulted for ignoring their fathers and their families. Given that the female live expectancy was higher, though by a marginal 4 to 5 years, it was 20% over the male life expectancy!

But in the current century, when equality is being hailed as the new solution, and democracy / freedom as the ultimate solution to grasp utopian times, there are still multiple ideas waiting to be explored. To me giving pre-eminence to mothers and fathers equally for upbringing the children and the values which we inculcate in them for according the importance to their mother tongue(s), cultural beliefs, practices of their ancestors is the way forward.

Maybe I am not getting everything right. Am I?

The Courtesan, the Mahatma & the Italian Brahmin by Manu S. Pillai.- Review

 

The Courtesan, the Mahatma & the Italian Brahmin

by Manu S. Pillai.

 

After listening to Manu S. Pillai in a podcast hosted by Amit Verma, ‘The Seen and Unseen’, I bought two books of him. One was the Ivory Throne and the other was ‘The Courtesan, the Mahatma & the Italian Brahmin’.

Divided in three parts, it chronicles India as we know today broadly defined by its geographical boundaries. The first two parts bring in the unique diverse country which we are. He has done a good job through selection of a multitude of ‘colourful’ characters, chosen and previewed by the author for our benefit but from his perspective. He is liberal in echoing his views in the third part titled ‘what is good for India going forward’. This is the narrative through the book, which is summarised in the third part, ‘An Essay for our times’.

I have no major disagreement with the narrative and the conclusion. What it has done to me is kindle an interest to develop a deeper understanding of some of the characters as well as explore the ones missed out. Certain concepts line Matrilineal concepts, the antecedents for the basis of Hindi becoming an option for national language instead of Sanskrit and the emergence of traditional Carnatic music as we know today in the period when the Marathas dynasty ruled Cauvery delta area and much more.

For any avid reader of Indian history this is a great book to refer as it is well researched and vetted.

Since most of the essays, each essay exploring one character and the associate times, is structured originally for the weekend edition of Mint Lounge, the narrative is crisp and goes easy on readers like me who are more used to the topic being summarised in less than 700 words; nothing more and less.

But there is too much to unpack in each of these phenomenal personalities chosen to represent a distinct and unique characteristic of our diversified culture and their times. The right-wing vs left wing contrast which is the characteristic of most of the modern-day English writers does irritate.

If you can gloss over that, then you have a treasure trove of the times of our immediate ancestors. The cultural transformation which our forefathers have seen and managed is coming through clearly. It is a must read for those wanting to get a glimpse of the periods negotiated by our immediate forefathers and the struggle they must have gone through to help us see today.

I have read the ‘Incarnations – A History of India of India in 50 lives by Sunil Khilnani. Manu S. Pillai has assisted him in that book. The words chosen sometimes challenges you as I had to refer dictionaries often. I guess when you work for an exponent like Sashi Tharoor some of his characteristics rub off on you.

I recommend the book.

 

Letter to our beloved PM

 

Chennai

22^nd May 2021

 

Respected Prime Minister,

We were not happy to read the letter addressed to you by retired IAS and other senior officers of the government of India at this crisis hour[VB1] . As concerned citizens we would have appreciated if the letter had been drafted and issued differently. Here’s our take:

As the second wave of Covid 19 ravaged through state after state and the toll is mounting, we submit this appeal to you along with suggestions on the way forward starting with crisis management and Allocation of resources to related matters.

First and foremost is the integrity of data and the availability of accurate granular data for scientists, statisticians and administrators. Detail numbers as they come up throw up interesting Scenarios for able administrators who are competent. Talents across fields are available in plenty in our scientific pool including the administrative Cadre.

Transparent data stream will pave the way for a more proper and clear response.

The current lack of data across segments and the tendency to not recognise the importance for accurate and correct field data has been one of the main reasons in our opinion, for getting surprised repeatedly. We stress here that each one of us believe that you have our best interest at heart.

Our country is at a stage where it can ill afford to be surprised again and again and it is our appeal to you to take the lead and issue specific instructions to all agencies including state government to comply with data transparency.

The next most important action in our opinion, is to understand the vaccination scenario as it is unfolding factoring the supplies expected and present an action plan for orderly rollout. The current chaos and lack of accurate details from a reliable supply chain system is severely hampering the planning and implementation of even those groups who are efficient. Our country can legitimately boast of a huge vaccination network especially in rural areas with adequate vaccination centres and we have had past successes in effectively eliminating through vaccination viral diseases. This was possible by an active participation of the government steered from the centre, social organisations, corporate and local community chiefs. With this experience our suggestions for vaccination roll out are:

i.        It looks like we will have about 11 billion doses globally before December and India can access for sure what it can produce locally with the existing vaccine manufacturers. That is around 40million per month under a conservative estimate. Having vaccinated over 190 million as on date, the task is to find the balance 800 million doses at the earliest.

ii.        With just 360 million doses confirmed by this year end in the pipe line, there is going to be scarcity for some time.  Our suggestion is to scale up availability to the maximum to hit the estimated higher level announced. But that is not confirmed yet. Hence judicious allocation of the current scarce resource is the urgent need.

iii.        Given the vaccine hesitancy and accounting for wastage converting the bulk of this into jabs in the legible arms of the people is the utmost priority. Priority shall be above 45 years old and then below 45 but parents, work force. Efforts must be made to individually trace and vaccinate these persons breaking through hesitancy and logistical challenges. That is the best way to prepare for the third wave around the corner.

iv.        If this is done successfully before December, we would be much closer to achieving heard immunity accounting for substantial infected cases as well. We therefore recommend that this Administration of doses should be done through microlevel planning and rollout. Each of the collectors should get specific instruction and ensure roll out. They should also pick out in the eligible category uninfected and vaccinate as was done in the polio administration 

v.        Web interface at the administration level, user level from individual citizens, have been a challenge given the prevailing lack of computer literacy. We recommend therefore to appoint short-term contract employees sourced with the support of big IT companies and train them for both the admin and as well as support the citizens. They should be posted on a war footing. PSU employees and Railway employees who are already exposed to computer should be instructed suitably.

vi.        PMO shall have a dashboard with real-time updates on the vaccination roll out for each of the 719 districts. We can deploy the same mechanism which we do for monitoring of the counting of votes at booth level for a nation as a whole.

vii.        Respected Prime Minister you have a huge following in our nation and you should constantly come out and advocate for vaccination of all eligible citizens. You should also assure those who have to await for the vaccine suitably. Political costs can be managed by you as you have done previously. You should rope in all the MPs irrespective of political affiliations and emphasise the responsibility of the  elected representatives to support this action.

There are other pressing matters which we would like to bring to your attention. We would so in time. But this is the priority now and the only priority for you as our leader. Others can manage the rest for the time being.

---

 [VB1]

Paatal Log - a Netflix Series

Powerful, emotive, grounded, reflective of the ground realities, non judgemental and presented with a purpose - entertainment with a window to the conditions that exist in major locales in the Hindi heartland.  

In addition I liked the serial for its bold theme and limited use of censorship freedom that OTT allows. Characters, though well defined are portrayed equally well by the leading actors. Jaideep Ahlawat, Niharika Lyra Dutt, and sweet Doll(y) Swastika Mukherjee. 

Not leaving too many open ends while linking most of the many characters opened through the series is another feat which leaves one entertained truly. 

Good time pass. 

​

Indian Power Sector - the elephant in the room 

Excessive use of Diesel power

I read an article highlighting issues around coal allocation and the consequent problems faced by power producers who have invested in them. I would argue that the problem is just not limited to the issue of coal allocation and highlight three major factors.

The first one is the inflated outlay in the project costs of some projects which was fueled by the issue of allocation letters or LOI. These promoters had other objectives than building an asset and working it for returns over its life cycle of 30 plus years. Hence the focus on building quality, efficient plants at optimum costs and within a schedule was not the only factor. 

Second; the demand growth expected including the realization of the latent demand in the system is yet to happen in our country due to the perennial loss making performance of the distribution utilities.  These utilities can bankrupt a well functioning power plant in any given day by indiscriminately delaying the payment due to them. Even worse, is the load shedding which they resort to due to their inability to purchase power.

And the third and the elephant in the room is Diesel power. Diesel power usage is not monitored nor its costs analysed as it must be for an economy which is reliant so much on imported fuel. One can only guess the installed capacity under use and then may be extrapolate to arrive at the consumption. 

With 92 GW of diesel plant capacity (2015 number of 72 GW plus 5 GW per year) and most of it being used this diesel power is almost 25% of the installed capacity of the country. It is time that the electricity planners account this in more regular manner and work to eliminate or say minimise the usage. Call the king naked and go about clothing him. 

There is no reliable pan India statistic available on the hours clocked by these diesel plants or the energy generated. 

Diesel energy generation is highly polluting, inefficient and costly one at that. The reliability factor which is promised by these plants is the only attraction. To reduce the usage of these plant the distribution utility has to improve its performance and ensure reliable quality power. Usage of such terms as reliable and quality are shun when you buy power from a public utility in India. And imagine the situation when substantial part of industries and IT parks switch over completely to utility, the peak in the system will shoot up by 25% or more, calling for immediate running of most of the now idle plants.

Regulators are deliberately blind to this fact as the distribution utilities are not ready to correct themselves. It is time a clean up act is initiated to look at the issues that perpetuate encouragement of diesel power over public utility power and act on it. 

A long term solution to this problem is to start with total revision of tariff and create a true pass through facility of production costs of power to majority of consumers and eliminate the cross subsidies. Essential subsidy addressed to specific consumers must be done by DBT and not through tariff. This has to be followed up with bringing in fresh capital to revamp the infrastructure required for ensuring reliability.  I know all this is a tall order. But someone has to bite the bullet. Else the issue will linger on and more problems will add up.

The Banking Mess in India

Yes bank has become a No bank. SBI and LIC are asked to rescue as the unfolding crisis, if not stopped, could take with it much larger numbers of financial intermediaries causing severe damage to the investing public at large. 

We are hearing about banking failures often nowadays. Every time sound bites are shared about what went wrong. Many consumers go through turmoil and some face losses. But after a while we get back to routine and wait for the next disaster to happen. 

Are we seeing any improvement at all this time around? When is it going to end or when will we see this kind of failures stop happening regularly and we stop seeing any failures of banks in the next few years? Are there any plans to stop such failures? If there is, can someone share so that an ordinary investor can be better informed, instead of hearing the same oft repeated cliche - 'this bank was sinking. Everyone knew about it in the last few months and we had informed our investors' is the common refrain which runs amongst those who give out sound bites post failures. They also add, a disclaimer, 'But nobody thought that the crisis was imminent'. Post the event of course there are voices, which say the Regulator should have intervened earlier.

What stands out through these events is the utter failure of the Banking Regulator to act in time as well as the colossal and irreparable damage caused by our rating agencies to dish out high ratings to unworth companies. 

It is time this is reset. This time around Tirumala Balaji had a narrow escape as He encashed(and not renewed) His Rs 1300 crore FD with Yes Bank; but His avatar Lord Jaganath was caught. He lost a Rs 545 crore.(source The Hindu)

Gods may not be so kind next time around.

Technology - a handy tool at crisis situations to tackle Pandemic

Technology confronting COVID 19 

As I listened to the piece from CNN on the Black Plague of 14th century (1347 - 1351) having traveled to Europe and other parts along the old silk route which is strikingly similar to the one COVID 19 is spreading, I was glad that we are in a better connected world than during those medieval times. 

I had also never thought that I would contemplate use of the term 'Pandemic' to describe the advent of sweeping reach of new technology platforms and user based apps. Corona Virus or COVID 19 has enabled this a possibility. Pandemic spread of App based solutions are helping us combat the virus in myriad ways.

As I read a detailed piece by Anantha Krishnan titled 'China's high-tech battle' on the use of Technology or App based solutions to help face and help tackle the menace of this Pandemic created by COVID 19, I forgot about Privacy or related scares of the technology platforms and was keen to embrace more of this and also encourage. 

What made the difference?

For one, the App based Pandemic can spread faster than any virus which is something akin to snail mail. Remember the old days when you write and post a letter and it reaches the destination by various modes of transport in a weeks time at the most. 

Secondly location based inputs from users can map the situation on to dash board and displayed for public and managing officials of various hands of the organisations which are working to combat the menace in many fronts. Real time updates comes in handy in such alarming cases as any person who has experienced a similar situation as in a flood or storm or earth quake. 

And food delivery app which has developed the technique of handing the delivery of hygienic quality food at customers premises is the ultimate feather in the cap. You can stay isolated with out any access to provisions or fresh produce, but get what you want (or what is recommended based on your conditions) at your door step.

I conclude with one more instant of the excellent use of the technology. ` Warning to the user by a colour code based indication on your smart phone app, indicating the possibility of you being susceptible to catch the virus. Amazing.

Are'nt we all glad that we are in this technology driven era?

Mylapore Corporate Mama

Sri. T M Krishna, the maestro in Carnatic music and who pens columns in The Hindu, wrote about Mylapore mama - Which came first Music or Mylapore Mama. This was long enough to be published in Two week ends. The release of this article coincided with the December Carnatic Music Season ending.

The writing was lucid and the concept was closer to reality than I would have expected out of this columnist who typically believes in Hyperbole. Disclosure : I resemble the Mylapore Mama mostly but will not make the grade described in the column; but - yes a start has been made.

The commitment and the efforts these Mamas go to mostly out of sheer passion for the Music is astounding. There may be those who do this for a visit to the canteen outside or as T M Krishna would like us to believe, display the arrogance of their inheritance. But for me it is the sheer pristine music, defined in a code for connoisseurs to develop a deep understanding and the immense efforts being put by those artists to meet the code and never ever deviate once in a 3 hour performance which make us spend the better part of our December month for. Besides, the occasional visit to the canteen to taste those old dishes which have become rare today at home and the comradery are accompaniments, which just make the experience that much more enjoyable and live.

There are many sub sects of this Mylapore mama. You can see young lads and girls who carry a distinct accent discuss the concert with their Mylapore mama. These may be future artists or eventually turn to be a Mylapore Mama, Mami!

One more is the Mylapore corporate Mama. He is an aficionado listening to his music at any opportunity and is also the person today to bank roll some of the concerts. I have seen the Mylapore corporate Mamas to be amongst the best Mentors in the industry. Their easy going attitude, the comradery they extend and the efforts to appreciate class and put in a good word are their signatures. They are also passionate souls who pursue their goals seriously and who are punctual and regular - all excellent qualities for a corporate executive. The occasional outburst is quickly compensated by an appreciative word when the moment arrives and mostly they are emotional. Mostly they are ubiquitous as the Mylapore mama who was described very well in the column, as sitting in the back benches to listen to the artist whom he flagged years ago perform at the evening slot. These souls can be found across the oceans today and their numbers are growing. Just look at the steep hike in charges of the tickets which are still sold out in some venues.

The Mylapore Entrepreneur Mama is few and I bet this number will grow in this decade with so many aficionado being present in the start up scene.

Carnatic Music is ever green and grows on you. And listening it to live is a thing which the Mylapore Mamas are gifted and they are therefore in my opinion the blessed lot.  

Taminadu Politics - After the iconic Leader

Tamilians and in general South Indians are the dreamy type and so are easily influenced by the 'Filmdom', especially of the Kollywood variety. So no wonder, politicians who wanted to disrupt, used 'films and the business of making films' for usurping power. After Congress, it is the film fraternity that has held power in this state.

And for the first time it has moved away. But alas, it has gone to the person who practices, sycophancy. An unelected individual, who till recently was seen as always subservient to the iconic leader who died in Nov '16, has called herself as the Lioness and is taking vows in public. She is boldly challenging the status quo and is using the system to control. She is least bothered about conventions and rule books. Her dummies, are the appointed power centres today and have plans to operate that way.

Should she succeed, it would be a confirmation of the general belief, of the way in which power centres function. 

That would be a travesty on the entire effort to cleanse the system of convicted corrupt people and demoralising those who go after them.

I am disappointed and now angry. Yes. I do not like the way systems can be manipulated to one family's advantage. I would in my capacity resist and lend voice, to those sane forces which condemn this. 

AirBnB Services

Here is an incident that is happening in our society and my response to: 

Dear Owners / Residents,

In the last few days you may be looking at mails which has been initiated by ... expressing their anguish on not being allowed to use their apartment for Airbnb Short term Rentals with series of baseless allegations. The Board has met and discussed on the legalities, restrictions in the Bye-laws and have also carried out a Risk Assessment of Safety and Regulatory implications. All the concerned people like Security, Person holding keys of ... were called and asked to state the facts.

The fact revealed by all is that the Security had informed the person holding the house keys ..., that hereafter temporary and unknown guests would not be allowed in the complex.

The person confirmed that there was no incidence of guests waiting outside as stated in Anand/Pratibha’s mails. The same person informed that the guests were already occupying the Apartment. The information was passed to ... by the person holding house keys which lead to .. calling up the Secretary at odd hours and using unprofessional language, followed by emails to Owners and Residents.

Their mails have several inconsistencies - they called the Secretary at 9.30 pm (verifiable through phone records), and the subject of their mail mentions incident @ 9pm, yet they mentioned in their email their guest was left outside at midnight. All this while the guest (for whom NOC was NOT issued) was staying comfortably in the flat. It is not clear why .... did not stick to the facts when writing to all the members.  

In order to be a fair to both, the Owners and the Association, the Board has forwarded the matter with details to the Statutory and Legal Authorities/Bodies who will soon investigate the commercial activity carried out at .. and assess the situation as required by the law.

While, the process is on, it was a coincidence to find Statutory Notice in the Newspapers warning for all those carrying out Commercial Activities in Residential Areas/Buildings (a copy of which is attached herewith.) While the notice is regarding shops it brings into focus a key issue is what was the basis on which the project was sanctioned and the occupancy certificate issued. In our case the Occupancy Certificate has been given with the caveat that it should not be used for commercial rental activities - guest house etc. 

The Board’s intention is always to provide an amicable solution to any deviation, but at the same time is legally bound  by the Statutory laws and Regulations.

Also, if we were to look at making the apartment a commercial complex then we believe that commercial rates will apply to all residents in terms of electricity, gas and any other service/taxes which could become a burden on all the other Owners irrespective of renting or residing in .....

The other point worth noting by Owners residing here is that even if a few Nonresidential Owners want to look at benefiting from the shared economy - do other Owners as residents want a free flow of strangers in this space where our family is? While we use Ola & Uber we have seen/read of several cases of unprofessional/criminal behaviour. Every person who gets into an Ola/Uber knows that there are risks associated with it which they are willing to undergo for the convenience. Whether other residents want to give free access to the complex for the benefit of other Owners is a question for the residential owners.

Even if the guests are not criminals if they are pleasant characters do we want them around especially if we are going to have a heavy turnover of guests in these apartments? If we are talking of 15 guests a month for 5 flats we are talking of 75 strangers roaming around our premises every single month.    

We need the understanding of all Owners on following the Bye-laws and matters which has legal implications. We'd also like to state that for all the debate that we have over email this is not a matter that can be settled over email. It will require passing a resolution in the AGM, and prior notice if the bye laws are going to be amended and maybe further legal process if we should change the basis of the occupancy certificate. 

We may add that "Under the circumstances stated above, and as the said commercial activity does not conform to the Bye laws, the Board has not given any approval / NoC, and therefore cannot be responsible for any risks or consequences associated there with, including those of statutory/legal nature, and the same therefore vests with the apartment owner"

Answering 2 of the owners’ queries:

1.       Mr Balakrishnan V – The owners of Flat  did notify or take an NoC before letting out their flat on Airbnb services.

For Board

Communicator

AND MY REPLY:

To the Representative of the Board,

Let me start with the answer provided by you to the query raised by me:

"Answering 2 of the owners’ queries:

1.       Mr Balakrishnan V – The owners of Flat ... did notify or take an NoC before letting out their flat on Airbnb services.”

This is a serious violation by Ms. ... and she must tender an apology. Community leaving calls for certain tolerance to observance of guidelines, which I am sure a person living so far away from India may be accustomed to. 

Another important aspect which we would expect from the intelligent, more tech savvy person and above all a person who is fully abreast with the current happenings at some of the most advance societies of the world, is to take the time out and educate us ordinary mortals on the pros and cons, legal implications and definitions in advance. Or they could have deputed their local Tax consultant to brief us. Such a confirmation / briefing would have armed our volunteers who are the Board members of our Maintenance association to be prepared, if they are confronted with questions by local statutory authorities, which I am sure is just around the corner as I believe the business for Ms. Prathibha Anand is booming. 

AirBnB is a marketing platform and so is Uber and Ola. It facilitates the transaction between two parties. Absolutely correct. The transaction between AirBnB and the owner of the property takes place outside India, which is a transaction on the digital platform which we are not concerned about as nothing physical happens in the exchange. 

Let us now switch to the Uber analogy: You hire the car through Uber, pay Uber and walk out. Now the Owner of the car hires the car to you through Uber, collects the money and the deal is completed. Now the owner of the car says to our Commercial Tax department that the transaction, that is hiring the car to you through the digital platform of Uber is not taxable. Well tax pundits across the world are at it and still grappling with the problem. The view I subscribe to is - There is a physical transaction between two parties for which the recipient of the service must pay service tax and other local taxes - And the provider must collect and pay those taxes to the government. The income is again assessable under the Income tax laws of India. 

We can dispute my statement and seek remedy in our courts though. 

Coming back to our case - AirBnB is a facilitator who insists that the Owner of the provider of service indemnify them from local tax liabilities, and other implications in toto. So throwing AirBnB at the board is to expect all of us to be naive, which I wouldn’t find fault with as those who are living 10000 Km away still think that we are land of Kings with elephants. There is a clear onus on the part of the owner to seek compliance of the rules of the association and if not take the liability that may befall the association and Owners.

My views on discontinuing the AirBnB service as proposed by the Board is different. I do not agree. 

We must encourage use of the property and that is what the property is built for. As a first step Board may take a legal opinion on to whether they can permit this allowing “Guests” visiting and paying for it would not make the Century Celeste property a Hotel. ( In the land of Kings and Elephants, Guests don’t pay. They are treated like Gods). 

If this is legally tenable, we must then put in place sufficient restrictions to ensure that this is done smoothly. My suggestions are:

1. One local caretaker will be appointed by the Owner sharing their flat through AirBnB service, whom the Board members may contact should the need arise. 

2. The Board may insist that the Owners hire and pay for additional security service to coordinate the entry and exit of their Guests. 

3. The board may need to have access to the data of persons who arrive and leave should something amiss where to happen during the stay of the Guests at Century Celeste.

4. And finally the Owner must indemnify the association, co owners of any liability that may be caused by this action of theirs.  

And through this mail I appeal to Co-Owners of this wonderful property to be more tolerant and cooperate. Slowly the number of residents in this society moving to ‘Senior Citizens’ Category is increasing (me included) and we do not want trouble.

Demonetisation, De Notifying specific Currencies

We have crossed one third of the 50 day limit set by our PM to bring back to normality the disturbances caused by de-notifying the Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500 Notes.

Before I delve into the pros and cons of this action as a sequel to my earlier blog, I have a declaration to make. I had no serious issues at business and personal. I am likely to be affected as I am planning to sell a flat and the real estate price as per some opinion may correct a tad lower.

It is clear to me now that this move is going to bring in a major transformative change in administration and banking as per governmental practice. Cash payments and handling is going to be a big challenge and it is clear that anyone who dare indulge in it must be prepared for severe punishment including spending time in Jail. How this will be done needs to be seen.

Another major development is the use of the receipts to the government exchequer. I tend to agree with the view that the liability cannot be extinguished as the 'Promise' by Governor is not time bound.

So technically, even after a couple of decades I can seek exchange and RBI cannot deny it. They may harass me and try to dissuade me - but they cannot say No to the exchange. That being the case the liability will remain in the books of RBI.

So the amount that will be available to the government is the punitive tax(50% last I heard of!) if it is announced and accepted by the persons who have deposited their excess cash and the withheld amount. Nothing more.

Banks in the meanwhile will make merry as they have huge deposits in savings account which is the cheapest form of borrowing. So rate cut is imminent and so is the lowering of interest costs on borrowings. Other than that we have to wait for the New Year and additional measures that may be taken by the government to react.

I still am hopeful that the move will turn out to be a big positive. Having observed politics for a while, though from a distance, I would like to be on the side of willy politicians like Nitishji. He is for Demonetisation and he has his ears to the ground where 23% persons of our country and mostly poor people reside!

Indian economy, was running too much on cash. The only tax payers, had to shell out much more because many didn't pay. How do we correct this? A major benefit, through demonetisation, should result in better tax compliance. Till Nov retail margins in most of the segments included a large portion of the evaded Sales Tax. When would this be corrected and how? The only methodology is to ensure better compliance. But to start you need to disrupt and send a shocker. And that is one of the missives in this act. I would hold my comment on demonetisation till the next year's budget, when the full impact and the follow through actions must start showing. To trash at this stage is premature. Changing course of the Tax compliance of India's size needs time and efforts. Some of these could be minor with disruptions at the core. GST and Demonetisation, I believe are together and I would wait for it to pan out.

Meetings and Discussions

In the course of a days work, it is but natural that we have meetings, where many diversified persons sit together brain storm to arrive at solutions and hand out decisions. Some use the opportunity to get appraised of themselves of the happenings. It is also a place some use to exhibit their authority and superiority.

After such sessions participants mind plays its own tricks as each perceive the exchanges during such sessions in their own way. For some it doesn't matter what others think; but others brood over it.

I belong to the latter category, especially if some one sounds condescending on the actions attributable to me and that too without a reason.

Condescending actions and words always get to me - yes they hurt me and affects my performance.

To overcome this, I am trying the latest trick advised by an expert - express your feelings in a Blog - write it down. Share it with friends and do not expect a feed back.

So how do I pay back. I don't. But will act to win back the confidence and then move on with life. I guess, I do not want to attend such sessions, with or with out putting in place the remedy.

US Elections and my take on this.

Mr. Donald Trump, has swept the elections and is the President Elect. Congratulations to the winner and the graceful looser Ms. Hillary Clinton. 

First thing which appeals to me is the smooth handing over of the power that ensues this landmark result. Indications are that the powers will shift smoothly - but outside rumblings may be heard for a while. 

Now - I didn't really enter the predicting race. But yes I would have voted for Clinton because I am sucker for the news paper reports, which glorified all the negatives of Trump, while glossing over that of Clintons. And yes; my favourite paper 'The Economist' vote was also for Clinton. 

But the Electoral College voters, had other plans. And analysing the result, I feel that this great country, US of A, might as well do with an alternative narrative. 

Why would I say this? 

• Donald Trump is not an unknown entry as the press would like us to believe in handling of the administration.  For anyone who has been close to power it must be abundantly clear that winner attracts many and to succeed further you must choose correctly, your advisors, your executives and administrators. For a start he has a solid deputy, who has already started doing the rounds in Washington power corridors. 
• White minorities; yes they are becoming one if you discount the so called well off ones; are not taken care of post world war II. They have been silently loosing ground to the Post Nazi world and they are being increasingly lead to believe that the Jews have taken control power at Washington D.C. This is a view which has many followers and I for one have reasons to believe that this cannot be just wished away. 
• And I find that Donald Trump is a doer. He has not given us indication that he is a fence sitter. Since he was not of the administration or has never been in politics directly, he could afford to be callous. As a rank outsider, he could promise to fix things. But a look at his personal track record, would show that this guy, is capable of going to great extent to achieve what he believes must be done. And that is good. We have to hope that he moderates his actions and goes about overhauling the defunct, badly failed bipartisan approach through intelligent but firm manoeuvres. You couldn't have expected that of a Clinton administration. 
• There has been excessive build up of inequality in the name of globalisation. Like the delinking of Gold and currency notes, today product pricing has lost all significance to production costs or the raw materials costs. Be it health care pricing or the cell phone pricing or the data analysts software pricing, you are able to get away nearly with astronomical margins. This is attributable to the globalisation efforts where very few have their way. And that is not a good thing. 
• Competition has to be back - but in a different way. Many are affected by the subsidy element brought in to the consumerist nation, by manipulating the currencies. It is time some one broke the system and brought in some order. 
• Immigration is also an issue. First you encourage private institutions to fund their own costs and to build their revenue open up the immigration gates combined with consumer loans - educational loans. So the locals are kept out of the system. How can this survive?
• Bank rolling of global corporations to kill competition through M&A have been the trend for decades now. And each move takes away more jobs and leave that much poorer. Small investors are replaced by algorithmic trades, where nano seconds matter. So the belief that Capital markets know best may not be true in many cases.  
• And the fight between Sunnis and Shias have been killing millions and the super power has not condemned it. Yes both deserve condemnation and as the President Elect, has declared though ominously, it is time that the entire clan belonging to the religious sect require a close examination. 

So I would wait for the alternative to play out. I believe that the President Elect has mastered the art of manipulating the electorate to reach here. The manipulator he is, I am sure that he knows that the electorate would dump him if he were to not move towards those changes which he has promised albeit not to the full extent. So let us wait for a Changed US of A.