Going "Agile" before turning "SMART"

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) had organised a conference on infrastructure project management, captioned "AGILE APPROACH in PROJECT MANAGEMENT". I was invited by the conference partner CBRE as a panellist on one of the session. I don't consider myself an expert in project management; but the word "agile" did strike a chord with me; and post a quick investigation of what the topic meant - knew it would be a very interesting event to increase my learning quotient. Trust me; the prep work involved quite a few man hours in fully understanding the applicability and adaptability of such a system in the infrastructure and construction segment, as Agile Project Management (APM) has primarily evolved from software development. APM theoretically seems to be the rightest approach to managing anything in India; given the ever changing dynamics - yet the hardest to implement if one reads "The Agile manifesto", given the basic work culture DNA prevalent today in both the public and private sector that raises a whole lot of questions on competency and communication practices. 

The keynote address had to do with the creation of SMART cities in India; as that would account for the largest infrastructure creation in this nation after roads and rails.  It could not have been more apt or better timed as I got an ET alert "PM Modi's pet 100 Smart Cities project gets Cabinet approval" as soon as the gathering was called to order.  I am sharing a bit of my learning here. 

My sentiments on SMART cities got a kind of boost when  the industry representatives on the dais asked if the foot soldiers of the government's machinery could accurately define what a SMART City meant? He felt that for many it meant just four words "Free WiFi for all".  Going by ground reality, India at present lacks the infrastructure and resources including manpower for creating such cities given the time-cost delays in almost all government led projects. Some 109,000 crores and an average of 12 years on just 700 of the key works being undertaken by the public sector. 

The one attempt of building a SMART city called GIFT in Gujarat has not been a runaway success either. Conceived in 2006-7; there are 2 towers that have just been completed in 2014 now serving as a hope that something grand will emerge here - hopefully before 2019. It's not a fatalistic thought but one where all the key players be it private or public entities need to "communicate" with each other on how each of these 100 goals will be achieved in the set time and cost; and how each of them will help in increasing India's GDP and SGP ranking on a global scale.

The Govt. view came from a very intelligent IAS officer who was candid enough to publicly state that accountability in terms of time and money was not a priority within the administrative machinery for a number of reasons; prime being changing goal posts caused by frequent policy and leadership shifts at all levels. ‎He felt that the private sector was always quick to blame the authorities for all the woes; yet the practise of evolving a "juice the economics" has originated on that side of the divide. If the entire project process was conceived upon the "advance ruling" concept where the end goal was frozen the entire creation and economic use process would become more disciplined than it is now on all delivery parameters including transparency. Obviously; for him agility was not a virtue / luxury that the Govt. could afford, given its administrative size and scale. He may be right from his point of view; but in my mind that's really not the answer. In fact it's far from it as in today's world change is the only constant. There are too many conflicting policies and decision makers around which I call the real culprits. Is their existence deliberate? I think I just asked a rhetorical question. Just to state simple example; the City of Mumbai is governed by regulations enforced by its Municipal Corporation (BMC); its development authority (MMRDA) and the State Government - and many a times each one has a contradictory policy on the same subject. 

Did you know that the number of smart devices in use today exceed the human population? Or that Singapore's water management system is administered by a company in Israel? Or that, the streets in London have sensors that help motorists find parking spots? Or that a major cab aggregator in the UK pushes shaji re a cab messages to people at on bus routes where bus services are routinely delayed by 10 minutes or more? Or that the garbage cans in New Orleans send a message to the garbage trucks when they are full? Closer to home; Bangalore is experimenting with creating virtual police and civic stations inside malls so that a person can access government services from a location of "comfort". There are many such experiments being carried out around the world based on the changes brought into our daily lives through rapid changes in communication and technology. 


Obviously then; a SMART City would require SMART infrastructure to be put in place where the internet and technology are mere enablers. Adopting technology without a the larger purpose of improving the Quality of Life is a sheer waste. From a return on investment perspective; the best place to introduce SMARTness is where there is pain festering from ill planned urban planning - and India, no better place to start than the 8 major cities. Yes there is an argument in favour of decongesting the existing metros by creating new and worthy alternatives; but in reality, the incentive of a SMART tag will not be sufficient for a person to cut the urban umbilical of self and family. Our PM should visit the ghost town cities of China to get a better sense of how fast his Utopian dream could turn Dystopian. Moreover, newer cities need to be planned on a change-predictive (Agile) and modular basis to allow for population and socio-economic growth. They have to follow the DIRT (Do It Right Today) principles of urban planning. It is the existing cities that need to become more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and tech efficient to cut down on wastage of  precious time and limited resources while improving the happiness quotient of its citizens. Key areas that can improve using SMART agile methodologies include; Administrative and Security Management, Parking, Water Management, Street Lighting, Waste Management, Public Transport, Open Spaces management. All of these have a direct bearing on improving the City's own economic sustainability. (Incidentally; Mumbai's draft Development plan proposed to take it into 2034 hardly addresses any of these issues). 

Finally, "Agility" for me is a character and not a process; one that has to be self injected into our work DNA irrespective of what segment we work in. If that is not possible; I am sorry, we shall then be left "smarting" and not "SMART".  

Views in press post this blog:

http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/index.aspx?eid=31804&dt=20150828

98 cities named for `smart city' makeover, no Kolkata & B'luru

New Delhi TIMES NEWS NETWORK





The Centre on Thursday announced the names of 98 urban centres and cities nominated by the state governments for the “Smart City“ scheme. Two dozen state capitals, 24 economic and business hubs and 18 urban areas of cultural and tourism importance are on the list.Announcing the nominations, urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu said it was a good signal that 65 small and medium towns and cities have made it to the list of smart city aspirants. Several big cities including state capitals such as Kolkata, Bengaluru, Patna, Thiruvananthapuram and Shimla have failed to make the cut.
The identified 98 urban areas, which fall under municipal jurisdictions, will cover about 13 crore people accounting for over 35% of the country's total urban population.

India should consider making 100 existing cities smart, says expert Prof. Christopher Benninger. July 25, 2015

Indian planners should design the country's new cities using the knowledge of local culture and economics as well as understanding of the appropriate infrastructure requirements.

- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/india-should-consider-making-100-existing-cities-smart/#sthash.RVK9xJQy.dpuf

From Hippocratic to Hypocrite

Analyze this. A friend of mine took his brother in law for a heart check up since he was complaining of uneasiness in his chest. A routine ECG performed on a fit 37 year old rang a few alarm bells. Further tests proved to be worse; the situation turned out to be very complex with the person requiring some 12 grafts. The consulting doctor asked for the person to be admitted to a hospital (let's call it hospital A) immediately and ordered administration of blood thinners till such time the operation could be performed.

Naturally; my friend's family made calls to some of the best heart surgeons in the City and this is what they experienced. The preferred surgeon (let's call him Dr. X) outright communicated his regrets to even review the case for at least 3 weeks despite it being an emergency. At the insistence of the consulting doctor; Dr. Y agreed to meet to discuss the case. On reviewing the papers Dr. Y called the consulting doctor and gives him an earful with a couple of swear words thrown in for good measure. "What case have you sent me? You said this was a simple case and I thought I will be done in a couple of hours. This is such a complicated matter which may require a day worth of surgery plus lots of study time. You know I have commitments. Anyway; I am examining this just because it's you who have sent it; and by the way I love your ring tone - send me the link." How nice - D2D friendship in play; and all of it in front of the concerned family that is sitting before him in agony with bated breath. He turns to my friend's family and tells them "You have actually reached me at a very bad time. See; there is a wedding in my family coming up  - which will keep me occupied for the next 15 days and I need at least a week to study the case. So effectively, the earliest i would be able to operate would be in 30 days". "But Doctor! he may not survive 30 days" is what my friend said. "Young man; are you God? It's up to God to look after him for 30 days and then it's my job to save him after that. If he has to go sooner then it is God's will. Now let assume for a moment I operate without the required preparation; he certainly will not survive. the odds are stacked against him. So; make up your mind in the next couple of days. You see; if there is anyone who can save him apart from God - it's me and God will not be the one performing the surgery; I will. Actually; to be honest with you; if it was left to me - I would advise you not to go through with the operation". the words were shocking coming from him.  "See, there is a less than 50:50 chance of his survival and irrespective of the result; you will end up paying me an amount that would buy me a Rolls Royce. So the cost benefit analysis really does not work in your favour". He could not be serious saying all this. "Your choice. If you do decide to go through; then please deposit a cheque of Rs. 3 million with my secretary on the way out - and the rest of the amount will have to be paid before the operation in........ you understand" he said pointing to the cash counting machines (yes machines) in his office.

My friend's father was hysterical when he left the consulting room, not able to believe all what he had heard. My friend decided that whatever happens; Dr. Y would not be the operating surgeon. A day later he called up a very influential friend in our circle (call him Mr. J) and he got an appointment scheduled with Dr. X in 3 days time. (Yes the same Dr. X from paragraph 1). "Why did you not tell me you were friends with Mr. J? I would have seen you that day itself - even if it was very late. Never mind, now that we all are here, let's see what the matter is" He went through the papers and kept shaking his head sideways and compressing his facial muscles in disapproval. My friend's family expected a repeat performance of what they experienced in Dr. Y's office. Fortunately, they were spared that line of speech - maybe because they were referred to him by Mr. J. "Look; I am sure you know it but the case is very complicated, and I don't really know what will be the result till I actually start operating. It will need at least 12 to 14 hours and we will schedule the operation in 7 days time. I cannot guarantee anything; and please don't expect any miracles. There is also a chance that he may not be able to live his life the way he is used to now even if he survives. But, he is in my hands and I will try my best to keep him alive first if that is possible. Meet my assistant and he will help you with the process here on. Since this is a special request; you do understand that there would be special fees under the circumstance. I operate in hospital B so let's arrange to move him from hospital A at the earliest". My friend nodded and decided to engage the more humane "God of Life". He wondered what options would he be left with just in case Mr. J had not exerted his influence to get the appointment with Dr. X; or what if an ordinary person with limited financial resources had come across Dr. Y? There was so much anger and disgust in his voice at the authoritative arrogance with which both the doctors discussed the case with him and his family showing scant respect for any kind of sensitivity to what the family may be experiencing at the time.

They called up hospital A for a discharge of the patient and reasons for the same. Hospital A declined to discharge the patient for another 3 days as the hospital wanted to run pre-discharge tests since the person admitted was in a critical condition. No amount of argument including waiver of liability worked in the matter. On discharge a bill amounting to exhausting the entire "mediclaim" (Medical Insurance) limit was handed over to the family. The "joys" of cashless hospital bill settlement. Anyway, the person was shifted to hospital B where preop. procedures were initiated 48 hours prior to surgery. There was relief in the mind of the family on "D" day that at least  the ordeal would be over one way or another in the next 24 hours. An hour prior to surgery time; the family gets a call from the hospital that the operation cannot be performed as the patient's liver is not in good shape and can create postop, complications. So, it would be rescheduled by at least 8 or 10 days till the liver condition stabilized. All that the family can do now is wait.

My own father went through a surgery late last year. The operation was to be a simple one when he went in to the OT (Operation theater) but turned out to be a rather complex one that sapped half a day. Since the attending doctor was an aunt of mine; I know the situation to be genuine. Fortunately for me; I did not face the likes of Doctors X & Y; but a humane old school surgeon for whom life came first and foremost. For me; the operating surgeon became a God for giving my 83 year old father an extension of life. My experience with the hospital (one of the best in Mumbai) was not that great. My father is one of those guys who hates taking pain killers and other medications that he deems harmful for his body - being an alternative medicine practitioner. the minute his senses revived and he was pushed out of ICU; he asked the nurses on duty what was being administered and why. he asked them to stop all what was unnecessary and under the doctor's nod those were stopped. When I discharged him I brought home a small pharmacy with me consisting of all the medicines that were indented from the store but not administered. My father thought of donating them to a charitable hospital run by "Lion's Club"; but by law medicines cannot be accepted in such way. I had not chosen the cashless route and my bill was within tolerable limits which I thought the insurance TPA  (Third Party Administrator) would clear without a bother. I was wrong; the TPA handed me a cheque of 60% of the billed amount.

Hospitals were once considered the temple of life and Doctors the representatives of God on earth. It was also accepted that there are good doctors and bad ones. The good ones saved lives and kept you healthy and the bad ones would misuse their learning to do the unthinkable. Today; the hospitals are increasing being looked at as "House of death" and doctors the refined "butchers" which they once were. (Modern medical practices have origins in this trade).  While I may have had the good fortune of accessing a great doctor and a reasonable amount of fleecing by the hospital; it has left me wondering where is the health care segment headed and why. Has the entry of private insurance companies actually driven up the cost of treatment in private hospitals? Has the high cost of medical education turned the Doctor into a financial analyst who decides on who will treat based on an IRR (Internal Rate of Return) basis rather than need? Are the Doctors now becoming more of a salesperson for the pharmaceutical industry by over prescribing tests and expensive medications even when not really needed? Is it us as a society; so used to buying favours with money that has killed the medical fraternity's conscience?

We may say what we want but at some stage we have no choice but to put our lives in the hands of a doctor and despite everything accept the consequences - good or bad. My friend is not alone in having encountered a doctor who seems to have forgotten the Hippocratic Oath. Maybe the medical profession - in keeping with the time have re-written it as the "Hypocrite's Oath" where life is commodity and only thing that matters is money.

Reliable No More

I am pretty pissed off with Reliance (Industries Limited) run by Mr. Mukesh Ambani. The Q4 results for year ending March 2015 were the best in last 7 years and yet the stock corrected 5% downwards signalling a pessimistic future. The share has been trading in a band of Rs 650 - Rs 1200 for the last 5 years and has hardly delivered any value to me or any loyal shareholder despite a general belief that theoretically it should be 5 times the current value. At the time the Company was split  in 2005 by the feuding sons of Mr. Dhirubhai Ambani (soon after his death in 2002); the shareholders of Reliance felt that the divided group would now be run by 2 super stallions - namely Mukesh and Anil -  and both would deliver a multiplier growth to stock value of the companies they held based on the wealth creation ethos set by their late father. However, the very people who used to swear by the Company and the Ambani family in the times of Dhirubhai swear at the Companies run by the Ambani boys now.

Dhirubhai has been one of the greatest wealth creators in India's commercial history. Under his helm; investors considered an investment in Reliance stock as safer and certainly better than even gold. A family's good times and pension were directly linked to the amount invested in Reliance. He was considered the next best entity to God and he was respected as one by the investment community; several of whom built small and large fortunes in trading Reliance's stock. He was a hero for the manufacturing community for breaking the hold of legacy wealth run companies in the textile and petroleum sectors. He had the knack of overcoming his adversaries and it did not matter how powerful they were in terms of wealth or influence.

Back in the late 1950's; he became friends with my Uncle. Our family ran a large hosiery trading and manufacturing unit at Chakala St. in South Bombay under "Bombay Hosiery House" (BHH); and Dhirubhai used to come by to sell imported twisted yarn. My Uncle was the very hospitable sort and loved to engage in talks with brokers and traders to get a pulse of the market. Tea, cold drinks and snacks were never in short supply and for a man on his feet all day; such generosity was God sent. It was this open heartedness of my uncle that must have attracted Dhirubhai to him as he too shared the same ideology. They were both great believers that small good to a large number of people was returned by a larger good to one. Both were curious and clever minded visionaries ambitious about breaking the super rich glass and class barrier; and great story tellers - specially about what they had achieved and how. Business in India's then socialist model involved a whole lot of regulatory Catch 22 situations; and therefore involved a whole lot of circumvention. Import of Japanese twisted yarn was just as twisted in the way it was procured and distributed. Dhirubhai was a master at cracking the import policy code; therefore procuring import licenses; and could manage supply of yarn in quantities and price that were beyond imagination at that time. That price arbitrage was all that a small outfit like BHH needed to take on a fight with the big boys of the time; and Dhirubhai was always the one to support the underdog.

Of course, the big guys could not have the small fries thumbing their nose at them; and, using their power and influence got the import of twisted yarn banned in the Open General License  (OGL) category. This meant that import of twisted yarn was now the exclusive domain of the big few. In those days of despair; Dhirubhai introduced my Uncle to a textile technologist who explained to him that while import of twisted yarn was banned - import of "S" and "Z" yarn was not - and spun together - it was the same as twisted yarn. My Uncle imported the machinery for making twisted yarn and beat the big boys at their game yet again. Seeing him as an emerging threat; the big boys did what they do best - one of them made him an offer that he could not refuse and bought him out. For our family that had come to India as refugees less than a decade back; this was a major jump in our wealth status.

Dhirubhai suggested that my Uncle use the new found wealth to partner with him and consider setting up a mid sized polyester blended cloth weaving unit as demand for such cloth was on the rise. My Uncle had other plans. He saw import of stainless steel and real estate as much more profitable bets. Maybe spurning the offer of partnership did not go too well with Dhirubhai and with time; as both grew in their respective chosen fields; they drifted apart; and their friendship diluted into a kind of acquaintanceship. Years later, towards end of 1986, my Uncle met Dhirubhai again to ask him for a confirmed allocation in Reliance's public issue of convertible shares. Dhirubhai welcomed him like he would his brother but said he could not as it was too late in the day and all preferential allotments were closed. Guess my Uncle realized then that Dhirubhai still held the grudge of parting against him. Though Dhirubhai was 10 years my Uncle's junior; he always remained his hero figure, and each time he read about his exploits in the papers; there was a sense of pride that he had known this man closely. As a family, we grew to newer financial heights too; but, it was no where close to the meteoric rise of the "reliable" Reliance Group.

I don't know if Forbes takes all listed and unlisted assets into account; but as per its listing; this year 2015; Mr. Mukesh Ambani, the elder of Dhirubhai's 2 sons; at a personal net worth of some US$ 20.3 billion is the richest Indian - a title he has been holding for the last 8 years - despite the group's profits remaining more or less stagnant. He is also ranked in the top 50 richest in the World.  Some say the younger brother Anil got a raw deal in the family partition; but back in 2008 he was ranked number 6 and his elder brother number 5 in terms of world's richest at a net worth of US$ 42 and 43 billion respectively. Today; he is listed as No. 19 in India and No 418 in the world at a net worth of US$ 3.7 billion. Both have taken a slide down in terms of dollar net worth - officially at least - and maybe that's the reason the old Reliance value of rewarding shareholders seems to have been replaced by reward your own self first and then the people immediately connected to the new leader's perspective. Ironically, this was exactly what Dhirubhai strongly opposed and fought against in his good times and bad. No wonder Reliance is not considered "reliable" anymore by shareholders like me; and we are replacing this stock as an anchor in our portfolios to an insignificant holding (a few like me for maybe honouring the icon called Dhirubhai).

The State of our State

Jai Maharashtra! is how we greet -

The Manoos Marathi on the street.

Though dropping is our economic rate

Maha is still the best State.

Our Govt. new - divided it stands,

We elected it - to "Bajaoo" our band.

Now on each and every day

‎A brand new problem comes our way.

First off the menu - the holy cow,

Get used to eating  - the vada pau.

Yes our missal zunka bhakar rocks,

Kohlapuri Chicken for wonky walks.

The orange brigade says no minority vote

wants to pack them off on a shaky boat.

All forget that we're all Indians first

no side should talk in a language unjust.  

Should Marathi movies hog prime time -

Even if they don't make a ‎dime ?

Many with double meaning n vulgar song-

‎is that entertainment - nothing wrong?

In Shivaji's name want statues tall,

Skim public money and have a ball.

‎Development is what we really ask,

Where is the money for the task?

Self appointed defenders of our morals

On every issue there is bicker n quarrel

‎Disagreement is dealt with sticks and blows

The news each day reach newer lows.

Rain or not our farmers cry

Suicide they commit saying better to die.

Each year comes a bigger debt

Promises to them never kept.

Mumbai City got its Development plan
made to order for the builders' clan
With dissent of so many the CM said "scrap"
public resources wasted for this piece of crap.

Now that section 66A's dead

Criticism from people the leaders dread.

Will replace it with something new

To jail the brave and dissenting few.

Our Cities are in such a mess

ill-planned resemble a pool of Cess.

Each morning comes news of dread

rape, theft, accident, or someone dead. 

When will we get our days very good‎?

Reduction in price of our daily food?

‎Better infra - more jobs and wealth?

How will the corrupt - be dealt‎?

In an Utopian hope we live

Knowing that nothing they will give.

‎To Lord Ganesha we pray

In these times so grey - 

Give us something of joy to shout:

Jai Maharashtra! Jai Maharastra! 

Net (non) Neutrality. Survival of the fattest.

A month or so back the AIB (All India Bakchod) boys were being roasted over the "roast" event in Mumbai. They may now be hailed as the "Angelic Internet Boys" that took on the devilish telecom companies and roasted them in their own hell. AIB's latest takes up the issue of net neutrality in India and wants everyone to send in their opposition to TRAI (the regulator) through the campaign #savetheinternet. Since it's in my interest as much as anyone else's - I sent in my response to TRAI to voice my protest.

But, the issue of compromising net neutrality is neither new nor sudden. The fact that it took so much time to wake up in India certainly is. It may have been prompted by the telecos having taken note of the insane valuations at which e-commerce, e-mobility, e-tech, e-aggregation, and any form of "e" companies have been funded; and made them (telecoms) "e" with envy. From their point of view; the telecoms have invested huge sums of capital in creating the asset backbone on which all these "e" applications ride; and; these totally "asset light" enterprises walk away with millions in value. Certainly they can share some of their valuation spoils with the telcos; if not; then the telco has every right to ask its "tennant" to take the long (low toll) and slow road rather than the high toll "(e)xpessway" created by it. What do you know? Instead of opposing this thought process of the telcos; some of the well funded (fatter) "e" sites and applications think that this is a great way - at a small cost - to ensure no competition from newer (fitter) enterprises that will rise to disrupt them and put them out of business. Certainly much cheaper than buying out potential threats. Looks like "disruption" is not a good word for the "disruptor" once it has "disrupted" the market place. 

We can scream and shout till our guts fall out; but big money will win and the big telco boys have plenty of it as do some of the well funded "netpreneurs". It has happened before in software, computers, health, telecom, TV cable, FMCG and many other industries; so no reason why it will not happen again. The tectonic shift in this space will change the rules of the game and the disruption may create new opportunities and the way business is done. 

But hey! as a patriotic Netizen do your duty as Lord Krsna said; even at the cost of TRAI making you cry - log into www.savetheinternet.in and file your opposition.   

One that got away

The day before; I got a call from my son. "Dad! do you know what happened to Grandma? ...She got hit by an auto-rickshaw and the driver just drove off... she was bleeding a lot .... I think she hurt her head ... Aunt has taken her to the doctors... Ok! hanging up; Mom's calling". A hit and run. Obviously; something that needed to be brought to the attention of the Police. I searched for the number of the Bandra Police station and gave it a call.

"Namaskar! Bandra Police Station" a constable answered. I told him what had happened and was told that I could not report it. Apparently if she was at the doctor's or at a hospital; then they would decide if the matter needs reporting and call up the concerned police station. Then; he told me that if I did wish to lodge a complaint; then the person hit must come with me to the station. I thanked him for the information; but before I could hang up; he asked me the exact location of where it happened. I gave him the street address and pin code. It was amusing what I heard next. He told me that he was not really sure if that location fell under his station's jurisdiction as he was new. I asked him to check with his colleagues and he did, only to say they were not sure as well. So, I asked how could I know here to report? A more amusing response from him followed. "Sir, try asking any tea stall or fruit vendor near where it happened. They will tell you exactly which police station to go to. You see they are picked up by the Police so often and they are the best informed about which area fall under which station". I hung up and laughed.

Anyway, my mother law's injury was not too grave; but I still felt that she should file a complaint and I was quite sure that the culprit would be caught as the road has a couple of banks and their CCTV cams must have caught the incident. She declined and I asked her why? Her explanation was quite simple. She did not want to subject herself to any harassment. "I will complain. The Police may or may not get a hold of that rascal. If they do; they will at best trash him and let him go as nothing has really happened. They will probably plead on his behalf saying that he is a poor man just living his livelihood. The more obvious reason to let him go would be because the rickshaw owner must be some cop or local leader or thug; which means subtle or overt threats if I decide to push ahead. The beaten up driver could possibly stalking me for revenge. I don't care now that nothing serious has happened to me." I thought her reason was part flawed and that I did not agree with her. "Have they been able to do anything to Salman (Khan the actor) despite all the evidence and witnesses? Let it be." was her justification. I was annoyed; but after a day of thinking, felt that from her point of view - she was probably right. I could take up the matter with higher Police officers - through "connections"; but would that really sort anything for her or for anyone else for that matter? Rhetorical question I suppose.

I thought, on hearing about the incident involving a senior citizen, the policeman would have been more proactive; would have taken down my number and told me he would send down a beat officer to the location of the incident who would then decide next course of action. But, this matter was just another incident that he heard and couldn't care less if the victim was seriously injured or worse; and all he thought that was important at that point was how to not make it his station's problem by doubting the jurisdiction. Did the cop for a second realize that the citizen who calls in to complain is paying his wages? But; since when are police bothered about wages - leave alone who pays it?

It's not that the Police is made of bad guys; but, I don't understand why are those guys so insensitive to their duty? Has the system numbed so their sensibilities that their priorities have shifted to a point of no return? I can't answer it but have to for now accept that the errant driver is one that got away, and move on in life given the system that we live in.

Ruminating Thoughts

I wonder if PETA will honour the CM of Maharashtra for his brave move to put a ban on cow slaughter. Maybe not. Other animals still continue to be slaughtered for their meat. Then I wonder if the RSS - headquartered in Nagpur - the hometown of the CM influenced this decision in some way. Dumb rhetoric I guess.

I wonder if the BJP will win the mandate in the next elections despite the unprecedented economic progress that will hopefully be under the leadership of PM Modi? Debatable. The minorities will most certainly vote it out and so will the aggrieved farmers for whom its a question of simple diet and survival.

I wonder if the police stations in Maharashtra will start resembling cattle sheds and policemen cowboys. Based on what I hear in the press - just may. Does anyone remember how the UP police spent days looking for SP leader's buffaloes and that was way before the BJP raj.

I wonder what a poor farmer will do in a year of drought - feed his own family or look after his cattle. In dire situations people have been known to go cannibalistic so turning on his cattle is not an uncertainty. (el nino)

I wonder how the authorities will be able to tell for certain if the meat on a truck is actually carabeef from buffaloes or beef from cows? Most inspectors would not be able to differentiate it from even goat meat.

I wonder if more Bangladeshis will smuggle themselves into India now that the BSF have been told to keep a watch on cattle smuggling. Can't say; but it would be a great idea to import beef from Pakistan - after all cows over there are not considered "holy" there.

I wonder if Muslim meat vendors will stop selling goat and lamb meat to other communities based on excessive demand from their own. Quite possible as the butcher community may face undue harassment in proving "beef" from "carabeef" and may stop slaughtering any form of bovines all together.

I wonder if there will be an increase in green houses gases in India based on the rise of cattle population. Possible and then maybe not - but there will be a drop in cow milk production as most dairies may not encourage reproduction of cows based on the economic drain in looking after them post them going dry.

I wonder if the custom officers at the airport will have to retrain their sniffer dogs to smell out beef in addition to drugs and other contraband. It would be a sight to see a dog barking at a person who has had a double steak on his flight to Mumbai.

I wonder if more people will take up eating beef in Maharashtra now that it is forbidden meat and anything forbidden is exciting. Don't believe me - refer to Adam and Eve.

I wonder if there will be more cases of abandoned cattle resulting in a different kind of disorder including the return of the mad cow disease? That's a thought that is scary.

I wonder if pigs became major organ donors to humans then will they be given the title of "Holy Pig"? I wonder if anyone will refuse an organ from a pig at the cost of life and death even if a pig is taboo for some communities.

I wonder if protectors of chicken, goats, pigs, rabbits, buffaloes and other animals led to the slaughter house hire a prominent lawyer to file a PIL on their behalf? If it does happen then rats, pigeons, stray cats and dogs, horses  please watch out - you may be next on the plate.Don't believe it then read "State may extend beef ban to other meat: Maharashtra government tells High Court"


A week back; my nephew called me apologetically to explain that the Customs at AbuDhabi airport had confiscated the 3 pepperoni pizza pies (frozen) that he had picked up for me from Chicago's famed pizzeria "Giordano's". Reason - pork. The pizzas were in transit (not even leaving the airport) with my nephew. He was waiting for his connecting flight to Mumbai. There is a very large expat community in the UAE - a Muslim Emirate; in fact 3 times the size of the total native population I am told. And, many of the expats are pork consumers. Yet you will never hear any noise about the absence of pork availability. People working there have accepted it as a local norm and moved on. No big deal. On the other hand, a Muslim nation to our east; Malaysia; allows vending and consumption of pork because of its large minority Chinese population. India decided to call itself secular on 15th of August 1947; and in doing so provided every citizen certain constitutional freedom - including right to speak, eat, and practice whatever faith that person deems fit. The theory of the ban by the govt. of Maharashtra vests on protection of; and prevention of cruelty to; animals. That's noble. So for starters how about protecting the wildlife in our national parks; punishing dairy farmers that abandon dry cattle; stripping of licenses of chicken and animal transporters that do not follow guidelines; and the list can go on. Banning a specific meat raises a stink of a very different kind; one that is obvious and dangerous. 

By the way; some 60,000 heads of cattle are smuggled into Bangladesh daily; where they are "processed" and "packaged" as "halal beef" and shipped off to the beef eating world. Apparently this so called "Bangla Beef" is much in demand as it tastes better. It should; as the source product has been raised organically and not on chemicals and unnatural feeds; and so, fetches a price premium. "Holy Cow!" for us and foreign exchange for Bangladesh.