I live in Adyar and had gone to Delhi on a business trip on Monday 30/11. I finished my work and was schedule to return to Chennai on Tuesday night.
I couldn't as the airport has been shut off and I am now in Hyderabad, waiting. Though my day to day living is not affected I am anxious and wanting to get back home and see that what I am being told is correct.
There are many issues which crop up at this point of time.
The so called cellular network which is a technological break through has again let us down at this crucial juncture. I am unable to communicate with any one from here and when I went to the Vodafone show room they say that they are having this problem for the last two days. They don't even have the courtesy to message its customers of the issues. Absolutely money minded and not service oriented. If they cannot envisage such situations why are they expanding globally? Could they have got away with such breakdowns in UK or else where in the developed world where they operate? Another VW, I guess. Promises much.
Our own Airtel is again nothing to write home about. Same issues.
So the system design for such critical facilities should have plans for 72 hours back up and there should be a team placed to restore broken down elements to the extent possible; not the current model of out sourced to keep the cost down. It should be by their own employees who can be held accountable.
Another case is that of the drainage. Including me, we always joke that there are no civil engineers or Road engineers in Chennai. Every civil work is done approximately based on eye sight calculations and no clear workings. This is so because there is no defined foot path and no drainage in our roads. The excess drain water has to go through sewage system and that creates a huge problem for the sewage as it gets choked. Successive administrations are aware and sitting on this problem and will continue to do so.
After this deluge, the city has to own up and raise itself literally from below sea level to reasonable height to manage. Else the nest time we will become the second dwaraka or dhanuskodi; submerged with out a trace above water level.
As I see it we need to create artificial lakes to drain out the excess water from all areas and ensure that they can be pumped out. This way nor mal rains cane be managed. For excess discharge the existing river bans have to be strengthened / raised to carry the maximum discharge possible from the sluices with out inundating the city.
Let us work to achieve this.
Car Free Sundays
Car Free Sundays at Edwards Eliots beach is a wonderful move. Sponsored by leading corporate and brands, including the local brand 'The Hindu', it is catching on.
For me, a regular no.. addicted walker on these roads, it is indeed a great and welcome move.
One of the striking realisation for me, in this move, is the reclamation of spaces by public for their own purposes. It shows that we can collectively use the official machinery to get things done the way we want it done for what we consider as good.
Once the space is there, it allows building of habits and relationships around it. It provides the development of talents, teams and breaks barriers.
A welcome move indeed.
For me, a regular no.. addicted walker on these roads, it is indeed a great and welcome move.
One of the striking realisation for me, in this move, is the reclamation of spaces by public for their own purposes. It shows that we can collectively use the official machinery to get things done the way we want it done for what we consider as good.
Once the space is there, it allows building of habits and relationships around it. It provides the development of talents, teams and breaks barriers.
A welcome move indeed.
Hindu Dharma as I see it in the present world
An insightful article by Sri. Shiv Viswanathan titled 'Victims of war, apostles of peace' set me thinking as to what I identify as 'Hinduism' and why I am proud of calling myself as a 'Hindu'. Sri Shiv Viswanathan is a columnist and social thinker, whose views tend to bring new perspectives,
Yes I am theist and I believe in 'Hinduism'.
Our beloved Prime minister, has spent many days at a stretch and brought the attention of the world to India and its millions who are increasingly preparing to interact with the world's commerce and society at large. So there is increased attention on India and its unique offering of 'Hinduism' given that the platform in which he has claimed this spot is identified with 'Hinduism'. At the same time to may be distract an 'intolerance' debate is kept live and routinely stoked. Since everything touches, 'Hinduism' and what it stands for I thought I must question myself and answer it.
Hinduism is a way of life for me. One of its greatest 'virtues' is the definition of 'Dharmam'. What is 'Dhramam' for me is relevant to me and in my context. It need not be yours or anybody else's 'Dharma'. That doesn't it make it wrong.
It helps me understand and appreciate, uniqueness of every being and situation. It makes me realise that I am what I am because of this unique quality of creation and must therefore respect other's uniqueness.
So, how has this concept of 'Hindu' helped me through the years? To start with it has made me healthy. It has given me a sense of superiority as I believe that this concept helps me accept perceived defeats and explains the many games mind play on you, such as disappointments in finances, challenges in professional space, and rare snatching away of loved ones from amongst us. It has helped me more tolerant and may be turned to be more or less being docile to accept and practice 'Secularism' as I perceive it.
It has allowed me to change the way I lead my life whenever I choose to - from being a highly ritualistic person in the years, after marriage to minimising it now. It has helped me realise that I have to help others and above all in the context of what Shiv Viswanathan has said, it has made me non violent and abhor any form of violence.
Yes I am theist and I believe in 'Hinduism'.
Our beloved Prime minister, has spent many days at a stretch and brought the attention of the world to India and its millions who are increasingly preparing to interact with the world's commerce and society at large. So there is increased attention on India and its unique offering of 'Hinduism' given that the platform in which he has claimed this spot is identified with 'Hinduism'. At the same time to may be distract an 'intolerance' debate is kept live and routinely stoked. Since everything touches, 'Hinduism' and what it stands for I thought I must question myself and answer it.
Hinduism is a way of life for me. One of its greatest 'virtues' is the definition of 'Dharmam'. What is 'Dhramam' for me is relevant to me and in my context. It need not be yours or anybody else's 'Dharma'. That doesn't it make it wrong.
It helps me understand and appreciate, uniqueness of every being and situation. It makes me realise that I am what I am because of this unique quality of creation and must therefore respect other's uniqueness.
So, how has this concept of 'Hindu' helped me through the years? To start with it has made me healthy. It has given me a sense of superiority as I believe that this concept helps me accept perceived defeats and explains the many games mind play on you, such as disappointments in finances, challenges in professional space, and rare snatching away of loved ones from amongst us. It has helped me more tolerant and may be turned to be more or less being docile to accept and practice 'Secularism' as I perceive it.
It has allowed me to change the way I lead my life whenever I choose to - from being a highly ritualistic person in the years, after marriage to minimising it now. It has helped me realise that I have to help others and above all in the context of what Shiv Viswanathan has said, it has made me non violent and abhor any form of violence.
Renewed thrust in Transmission & Sub Transmission
A news release from the firm I serve: BGR Energy secures Rs. 300 cr work order captures in brief the excitement we Transmission folks have been hoping for a some time now. While the previous 5 to 7 years concentrated ins significant creating of generation capacity, the issue of mis match of geographies, when looked at from generation location to high demand location centres, were not addressed. This is in spite of having policies to discover 'Congestion" charges. Two major issues, have been responsible for this revival. One is the revival of stranded capacity of gas power stations and under utilised capacities of pit head power stations due to the limitation of choice of buyers. The other is Renewables and associated distributed generation.
As we launch on this new programmes, a much needed approach is the resolution of the 'Right of Way' through proactive policies and transparent & early dispute resolutions of the associated land parcels.
As we launch on this new programmes, a much needed approach is the resolution of the 'Right of Way' through proactive policies and transparent & early dispute resolutions of the associated land parcels.
Rains in Chennai
Chennai is seeing one of the worst flooding conditions in recent memory and as always every time we make the same noises. Bad planning, poor execution and so on so forth.
When will this be stopped or will it at all? The case in OMR is so pathetic. A new toll road constructed without proper drains and culverts. Building permission have been issued for so many multi stories buildings, with out holding them accountable for the storm water discharge from their compound to the public area. In short basic civic planning norms are never applied when engineering works are approved.
Add to that is the excess that every builder seems to have the right to commit. And this adds to the citizens woes. The productivity loss and the personal suffering which individuals go through are never under consideration.
On the other side 25 TMC ft of water has been discharged to the sea. No serious plan has ever been thought of to hold this runaway water and use it for basic needs.
My voice is one of the many which is overruled at the ballot as the local elections are so severely manipulated that this sorry state of affairs will continue for many decades to come.
When will this be stopped or will it at all? The case in OMR is so pathetic. A new toll road constructed without proper drains and culverts. Building permission have been issued for so many multi stories buildings, with out holding them accountable for the storm water discharge from their compound to the public area. In short basic civic planning norms are never applied when engineering works are approved.
Add to that is the excess that every builder seems to have the right to commit. And this adds to the citizens woes. The productivity loss and the personal suffering which individuals go through are never under consideration.
On the other side 25 TMC ft of water has been discharged to the sea. No serious plan has ever been thought of to hold this runaway water and use it for basic needs.
My voice is one of the many which is overruled at the ballot as the local elections are so severely manipulated that this sorry state of affairs will continue for many decades to come.
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