My dear Padmini

Chennai
10 02 2014.

Dear Padmini,

It is a month since I was delivered the shocking tearse statement that the medical specialists have goofed up and you are not returning home.

Yes. I should have cared more when you reported sick from work and took rest, complaining of pain. I shared a book of yoga asanas with the confidence that you would, as always sort out the issues that confront you through your own reading, dedicated, and persistent efforts.  You have shown in the past that your problems are solved by yourself. It is never shared with me even when we were in the same household, while I have always been there receiving your affection and support.

Yes I was the luckiest amongst the family and I can do no wrong, whatever I do (or not do). Being brought by well intentioned parents, but surrounded by orthodoxy and medieval attitudes of the patriarchal society, the younger sibling, me and being a male had the lion's share of everything. And their upbringing was so effective that we had built attitudes which never questioned the disservice done to you. All this while you added to it by doting on me.

I remember the days when Ambujam mami used to come and teach you music lessons, and I would slyly smile when you sing the stanza with Gopala Krishna Bharathiar mudirai in the Kedaragowla keerthana Sameke Sare Yevare. I also distinctly remember the Ananda Bhairavi and the Rithigowlai. It was followed by the days at crawford where I have memories of you lying down and reading and Amma scolding you not to do so.

Then it was time for me to move on to Pilani and see you only in my semester holidays. It was in the celebration of your marriage where I did see that I need to care more for you; but soon enough may be because of my character or your attitude I was again lulled into my complacency that I regret now.

As soon as I finished my graduation and was looking for a good career opening, your love and affection drew me to the infrastructure project which has formed the basis for my flourishing career. The simple frugal accommodation which was hired by you at Mangalore was shared by me and I feel foolish recollecting the attitude I carried as I always took it for granted. We had some very good time. I recall even now vividly the trips which we made with Appa to the udipi temple.

Then you moved to Bangalore and settled down and I had to follow; though this time on a career move initiated by me. But then you hosted me again. I do not remember ever even asking you what it cost you or openly ever saying thank you.

Then you attained the exalted status of 'Amma' which you loved so much with Dilip arriving. I moved to Koramangala and it was nice of you also to move in there. You worked in the background and made my wedding a success. I moved to Kochi and I remember you coming with family and spending time with us.

It was then time to have our own families and all along you were there for me. I never knew what you felt about me except that I can demand anything and everything from you and you would not say no.

The Brindavana saranga which you sang at the 13th day ceremony of Appa is fresh even today. I have heard many so called specialists handle this raga and the keerthana; but your voice and the emotions you poured into it is beyond compare to me.

I moved to Chennai and the contacts became more irregular. But you exchanged ideas and was always willing to give me a patient hearing and implement what you thought was appropriate for you and family. If at all there is something in which I pushed you hard and you did not do was to go ahead and make that trip abroad. Well I am sure you must have had valid reasons.

I also remember the Diwali of 2010 when I was in Banglore and we celebrated it together.

It was again wedding time in the family and you were the same active bubbly self who is everywhere whenever someone needs something or someone. You have always carried us all in your tender shoulders and large heart ubiquitously. You have been so good at this that even a fifty-seven year old matured adult has been lulled into complacency.

I didn't say this when you were amongst our midst - A BIG THANK YOU for everything you were to me. I am in this position in society and my career has grown up because of your encouragement and support in the early days of my career. Your unshaken belief in me did wonders and has been one of the reasons which has made me the person I am today.

I have two regrets though:
- I never realised what I didn't do to you and
- I never wrote this letter or say it to you in all the fifty seven years you were with me.

Life will never be the same again and I have to carry the additional burden and regret at not having returned enough to you.

Gopu.

Questions, Crony capitalism.

The Editor

Business Line

Dear Editor,

The questions areI am not writing this letter to be published, but  I am writing more because of the  questions asked by Ms.Aarati Krishnan are very relevant and  needs to be answered. 

1.    UB Holdings extended guarantees and collaterals worth Rs.8,800 Crore to associate firms. Is it done at fair value?

2.  Reliance infrastructure earned Rs.5900 Crore in revenues from EPC Contracts from group entities. Is the margin consitent with market trends are is it excessively loaded to boost the profits of the EPC arm at the cost of the consumer who has to pay costs to service the overvalued capital asset built using these “billing tactics”?

3.    JSW steel brought goods and services worth Rs.2,800.00 Crore from associates. Is it at fair value?

Why Business Line or some other journal or other magazine do an extensive investigative story on these stories and bring out the lacuna either in the reading of the law or the loop holes in the law or plain disobeyance / disregard of (for) law which has happened in these transactions.

You must in my opinion, dedicate a page in your paper once a week at least, dedicated to the issues that affect stakeholders interest through such manipulations of the existing guidelines by big corporates. Such informed discussions will help the Sr. Executives working in large organisations remind that they are not beyond scrutiny and run the risk of being exposed, even though they may believe in the false protection offered by the so called highly influential corporates. 

I am sure that some of the people who have spent time in Tihar from one of the corporates named in this article would agree with me.

With regards,

V.BALAKRISHNAN

Elections T20

Dear Editor,

Your leader rightfully has spotted the casual approach displayed by the political parties, in naming the candidates for individual constituency. While this can be partly explained as highlighted in your leader to the networking and highly interconnected communications blaze which can be launched by the parties, it does not take way the essential need of the voter to know adequately before the election date, the options before him.

One of the ways to ensure this is to have the filing of the nominations deadline almost 40 days ahead of the election date. Such an approach would make the candidates visible.

It is a fact that in a democratic environment and a free press, it is in this intervening period - between the nomination date and the date on which we cast the vote, the candidates are near “Naked” in the public eye. After that they are shrouded in secrecy and the law builds around them a fortress, which ordinary citizen cannot penetrate.

It is in the interest of our nation that these candidates are subject to close scrutiny for a given period of time before each  one of us exercise our franchise.

With regards,

V.BALAKRISHNAN

 

Democracy vs Majoritarian will

V.Balakrishnan ​​​​No.19, Ist main RoadKarpagam Garden

Adyar, Chennai-600 020

Cell:98401-21596Mail:balakrishnanv@icloud.com

 

 

Dear Editor,

 

Sub: Democracy Versus majoritarian will

 

 

A series of articles in the lead page and your leader have started of an intense debate on the freedom of expression,freedom of speech as enshrined in our constitution. New insights, interpretations of the provisions have emerged from this intense discussions and informed articles, penned by qualified competent and experienced jurists, eminent lawyers and intellectuals.

 

One of the fundamental arguments, which have been missing in the debate, I thought, was the right of the every citizen of“to listen to divergent views and expressions as derived fromthe right to freedom of expression and speech of individuals.This I believe is embedded as an integral part of the freedom of expression which gives us as individuals “The Right to be exposed to speech and writings, new thoughts, ideologies, religions etc”. The Majoritarian will assumes it has the right to suspend this essential right of every citizen of India which eventually would lead to a vacuum of new ideology and ideas.

 

This is highly objectionable and a collective approach is needed to present a new interpretation and get directions fromdemocratic institutions such as our apex Court to bring backthe rights of every citizen of India into normal parlance. Majoritarian will should not deny us, a citizen of India, right to listen and right to agree which a contrarian view and celebrate the Independence of India and every religion / ideology practiced here.

 

Thanking you,

 

 

 

 

V.BALAKRISHNAN

 

 

Fair Regulation.

V.Balakrishnan ​​​​​19, First Main Road,

​​​​​​​Karpgam Gardens, Adyar,

​​​​​​​Chennai – 600 020

​​​​​​​+91 9840121596

Dear Editor,

 

Sub: Fair Regulation

 

The leader in your paper today rightly stresses the need for ‘fair’ regulators. It is verytimely. I am in total agreement with the stated opinion that the current decision of the regulator is a “Balanced Decision”. If they had taken a narrow view they would haveto hold Tata Power responsible for the ‘rash’ bidding adopted by them. Such an approach would have been counterproductive as in the total grid with operating capacities in excess of 178000 MW, we are currently adjudicating on the tariff of just8000 MW (including Adani Power) less than 2%. While taking the deciiosn therefore they might have weighed and considered that giving an incentive of 52 paise for these plants, on a pooled basis will have very little impact on the pricing to the consumer.

 

At the same time, the assets under consideration namely Tata power and Adani Power are current state of the art plant with life span of 30 years plus from today and need to be encouraged.

 

Notwithstanding the above, considering the view of price increase being there theregulator has correctly, taken effort to offset its impact through tweaking some of the provisions by shifting from ‘availability’ to ‘Load factor’ and removed unnecessary comfort to the major utility operators. In sum the move has saved some plants, which were on the verge of shutdown and has paved the way for reducing the pooled cost.

 

With regards,

 

V.BALAKRISHNAN