New Directions and Hopes

My responses to the interesting column in Education Plus of The Hindu on Monday 'New Directions and Hopes'

Dear Editor,

6 Leading Educationists have commented on the "New Directions, New Hopes" for 2016.  But, Dr.VS Rao, Vice-Chancellor, BITS, Pilani has hit the nail on the spot, which I feel, is omitted by others.  

A better campus life or eco system.  

As a person, who studied in Pilani and enjoyed its campus life with  varied options available for students,  I recommend that the core strength of higher education should be built around principles of ensuring an excellent campus life. 

You cannot have a hostel inhabited by 5 students in one room and expect them to do their best.  And 

We cannot deny a  student his choice to choose the subject of interest which he discovers in the journey in the Campus. We must have flexi syllabus as well.

Regards

All in the spirit of Eligibility.

All in the spirit of Eligibility by Suhrith Parthasarathy, does show up some interesting views.

But my views are as indicated in the 'Letter to Editor', not published but as I am not in agreement. I am copying it for my friends.

Dear Editor,

I am not in agreement to the views expressed in the article "All in the spirit of Equality" in the Lead page on 4th Jan '16 .

I for one agree with the Policy Makers and the highest court of the country that Liquor in public places should be banned. Making exemptions for only 5 Star Hotels could be seen, as a breach of the fundamental right by some. I would argue that any Indian Citizen or a visiting individual to this country could go to a 5 Star hotel and drink. So, where is the question of denying the fundamental right?

On the other hand, by not making available Liquor freely in public places, it is definitely a step to ensure that the State of Kerala does not retain the ignominious title of being the number one State for consumption of Alcohol. 

I would also see this as a Negative Reservations. 

We are used to positive reservations by way of reserving seats for the under privileged in our Educational Institutions and Governmental Departments.  

Now, let us get used to denial of such privileges, because we are not privileged.

Both are for the same social aim – improve the living conditions of those living below the poverty line, either through their choice or inherited.

Regards,

'Face Book' becoming an 'Apple'

I love 'Apple' products and have been an ardent follower since 2007 and user of their products. I love the touch and feel of their products, starting from unpacking as designed by the legendary forward thinker Steve Jobs. I love their intuitive interface. 

As I continued the patronage over the years, I came across their limitations and specifically imposed restrictions and realised that I was missing out on some of the advancements happening else where in the technical world. 

Being resident of Chennai India, I realised that Nokia had a maps application which will never be matched by Apple especially for navigating the local towns and cities.  I therefore used a Nokia phone and found that I had to come back to iPhone for manny of my daily uses. Maps was not my daily need. 

Then as Android developed and Google Now became so user friendly and Samsung introduced new features, which I would love to have in iPhone, but not available, I shifted to Motorola for a season. Here I found the hardware did not support and there was no substitute for the iStore. 

So I have returned to Apple. But to be fair to 'Apple' they have been restrictive and pricy. They do not pretend to offer 'Free' services or 'No cost' and they do not appeal in a disguised manner. They are bold, assertive and very clear that this is what they offer and you are with them knowing that they are restrictive. 

I love Facebook. The platform has helped me connect with my old contacts, reconnect with relatives, and add new contacts. Doing all this I stay connected 'Off Line' while remaining disconnected whenever I choose to. I love the 'Likes' which I receive and am comfortable no body can 'Dis Like' me or my messages. Since 2008, I have been on Facebook and have loved its growth and is a witness to its transformation into a full fledged social platform. 

Unlike Apple, Face Book has chosen the surreptitious path to monetise patronage. So anyone who can understand the basic workings know that there is a cost to using the so called 'Free' services and 'Free' account in Face Book or for that matter your G Mail account. 

So when they offer 'Free Basics' and advertise it as 'Free' I sit up and take notice. And their recent ad blitz bringing 'Ganesha and family' into picture, is highly hypocritical and downright condemnable. If they want to dominate a market, there are other routes. The route chosen by them is  ill advised. 

It may bring them success in the short term. But as an 'Argumentative Indian' I will caution that the path chosen by them is wrong and is bound to bring out an alternative, again from their own silicon valley. They are poor in making choices in India, as is evident when they tied up with a closed opaque organisation like ADAG group in the first place. They invite our Prime Minister host him, and then fly over here to meet him and then offer 'Free Basis'. So their moves are well thought out and one tends to believe that it has the sanction of the government and ruling party. 

Why they are doing all this? It is obvious as they want to ensure that their are relevant in the years to come and ensure the exponential growth which they have shown their share holders. They want to become an 'Apple' in terms of earnings and appeal and believe that this can be done through restrictive access being provided. They want o become an Apple but surreptitiously.  

I do not like that. I do not like a company not accountable to Indian Law advising me and show to be empathising with my citizens, with a motive. I vote against this move and recommend that they withdraw. 

I for one have already seen the growth of LinkedIn network and am spending more time on it than Facebook on a working day. Yes the days when I am off and want to connect with the other network I log on to face book. 

Growth sometime brings with it amazing greed and socio political ambitions. But it also makes them commit errors, which may turn out to be blunders and eventually be responsible for their downfall. 

A seven year old organisation advising us, the Indian Government, and its citizens is very poor in taste and for the first time I feel that the politicians deafening silence, on this move of Facebook   shows their tacit consent and their own personal agenda. 

I wish and prey, - yes only prayer can help - that TRAI rules against such a move. I request everyone to answer the four questions asked by TRAI in its "Consultation paper on Differential Pricing for Data Services" and support net neutrality. TRAI Differential Pricing for Data.pdf

Net Neutrality.

We are being bombarded with advertisements by a corporate from US aimed at convincing us that their offerings 'Free Basics Internet' is a must to alleviate the poor from the dark world, where they are with out access to internet. The advertisements make you believe that once they get access their problems may be solved and by 'denying' them this we may be committing a sin!!

If this were to be true, let me commit the sin and I may be called the sinner. 

Why? 

1. Because it is not clear how TRAI can regulate this entity whose operations are beyond the purview of Indian Law.  
2. Because 'Free' does not mean no cost. No one notices that the term charity and grant is not used. So it is Free for some but others will have to pay the bill for providing the Free services. Of course, for doing this ' noble thing the intermediary, will pocket costs for the services provided which would include the costs to service their shareholder. 
3. Because, we are not informed what this company tells its shareholder why these costs being incurred and what are the projected returns.
4. Because we could provide the lowest cost for voice calls with out the need for assistance from such corporates. So we have a model which is proven. Increase the competition and provide a level playing field; you can achieve it. 
5. Because, I would like to believe my government which may be just 69 years old but functions once in a while, to a company which is just 7 years old and may not be existing after the next 7. 
6. Because I do not want to believe in a company which cannot be sued in our courts and held accountable. 
7. Because the costs and profits generated by such a company is not taxable in our shores. 
8. Because such a company can choose to favour a political party, mostly the ruling one next time.
9. The sponsor in his Facebook campaign does not have an option to vote 'against' or say 'no opinion'. 

I did an impromptu survey amongst the persons whom I met int he course of the day at work today. Most of the elite class in the age group over 50 were against and the ones around 40, net savvy were for it. The advertisement blitz is having effect.

It is time such advertisements are regulated in future, especially, given the fact that there is clearly a 'Foreign Hand'

I hope the Net Neutrality remains and Free Basic Internet is not allowed.  I leave the readers with these two wonderful pieces which I read today.

• Crony connectivity, and Internet for us by Nitin Pai
• Nothing free or basic about it by Prabir Purkayastha 

RIP Sadhana - Sussane Hober Joseph.

Being year end and having the luxury of an extended week end allowed me to read at length the stories in morning paper today(26/12/15).

Two pieces, both obituaries are staying in mind; for their achievements and their life in general.

One  Style icon Sadhana - the erstwhile lead actor of those times when my friends introduced to these and more at college in Pilani. But it was tragic to know that she was all alone and desired to be left alone in her last days. It is very difficult to comment unless one knows the many reasons which made her choose this option; but it is suffice to say that the support systems should have been available had one chosen to come out of such self denials.

Contrasting this with the other obituary os Ms. Sussane Hober  Rudolph. I am not familiar with her writings or her. This is the first time I read about her. But it was touching and reflects how a determined individual can make provide an insight of the functioning of a society to which she does not belong.

A quote from her book will stay with me for long:

“The assumption that modernity and tradition are radically contradictory rests on a misdiagnosis of tradition as it is found in traditional societies, a misunderstanding of modernity as it found in modern societies, and a misapprehension of the relationship between them.”

RIP Sadhana, Sussane Hober Joseph.