That's IT!

Ever since I watched an episode of “Office” on Vijay TV, I wanted to pen down (or rather key down) on how the IT (Information Technology) industry is seen by others and by me. Perhaps, the Office serial is not the only one to project IT-guy characters in the plot; there have been movies as well. (Yaaradi Nee Mohini, Theeya Vela Seyyanum Kumaaru etc.) The audience is made to believe that the terminologies 'Team', 'HR', 'Cabin', 'Manager' are prominently used ones (As though these are specific only to IT industry!). When there is a trend in the country, they hit the big screens immediately, and so is the case with this.

For the past decade, engineering in India has been synonymous with a job in IT company. Its like how a SLR cam is synonymous with a profile picture on facebook. So, as per the school of thought, you are supposed to secure an admission in a college which is known for good placement records, and you ultimately have to get an offer of employment from CTS, Infosys or TCS in your pre-final year, failing which you will be shown a “hmm...” face. When you hear from someone who is a non-IT guy about the industry, he typically talks about how tedious the job is, working late in the nights and coming back home late, commuting by office bus etc. Frankly speaking, I would not like to listen to anyone trying to sterotype the industry's work culture in a tranishing way, and this is not because I work for an IT company.

On similar lines, I find that there are a few misconceptions. There are a few who think IT professionals have a lot of “Kaasu-Panam-Dhuddu-Money-Money”, that you can charge them a lot for servicing them, be it autos, restaurants or tea stalls (I am making a gentle statement here and not trying to criticize anyone). Few others think IT guys are ones who constantly stare at monitor and need to get a life. Such prejudices and assumed trademarks are there throughout the spectrum. Don't we think all actors are super rich and lead a fantastic way of life throughout? On the contrary, there have been many instances wherin the 'rich' and 'fantastic' life has actually been poison.

As per a study, the industry in India offers direct employment to 3 million and indirect employment to about 9 million. Indians have been naturally talented in logistics and computing and I think the success of the Indian IT industry needs to attributed to this fact. As per NASSCOM, we have crossed 100 billion US$ revenue. This also contributed to about 7.5% of India's national GDP in 2012 (which was just 1.2% in 1998). India is now seen as a major IT hub in the world. There are thousands of americans in major research universities and industries who are of Indian origin. (Needless to say, Sathya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft) This apparently means that we have the capability of propelling our growth in innovative fields in our country.

In India, there is a lot of scope for improvement on the e-governance aspect. I sent a courier to my cousin in US through the Indian postal department, and I find that there is no convincing mechanism to track its delivery status. I had lodged a e-complaint, and alas, I get calls from the department asking me if the courier has reached them! While there is an apprehension that software related automations might increase the unemployment, I personally believe that these solutions will be an effective tool for governance. Government of Andhra Pradesh had launched a good amount of e-Governance initiatives. By e-Governance, I mean the reach of technology to both the urban and rural India to bridge the gap between the Government and the citizens. In the recent past, there have been quite a number of startups companies, which is a welcome sign. India has a great pool of skilled manpower which can be capitalised to build both public and private sector promising companies in India to solve problems concerning the nation. I wish to see India as a major IT superpower in the world with all our dedicated efforts.

- Srikrishnan

Come, let's build this great nation!

My dear friends,

I know most of you who read this note are in the age group 18-35 years. Nevertheless all Indians can read this. Friends, we have a herculean task in hand - building this great nation. So come, let's build this great nation!

How long should we keep lamenting the poor performances of successive governments? Why don't we take greater interest in throwing away a bad government by casting our votes without fail? Don't we wait patiently to buy tickets for a movie? Don't we wait patiently for food that we order in the restaurants? Then why not wait patiently in a queue to vote for a suitable candidate? Come, let's build this great nation!

Now, don't say all politicians are unfit to be elected, and so there is no use casting vote. There are people and there are governments which have performed well, more so in the recent past. Surprising right? It is true. Now, Ill not get into details about people and governments who have done well, for I fear that would divert the course of the discussion intended. So come, let's build this great nation!

Though we have a not-so-good political culture, (which I am sure would improve in the years to come) we have one of the best electoral processes and civil liberties when compared to other countries. India is one of the few countries which gave voting rights to all its citizens. So why not use it effectively? So come, let's build this great nation!

The earth's population was about 7.046 billion in 2012. With growth rate of 1.5%, India alone contributes 17% of world's population. It is predicted that by the year 2030, India would surpass China's population and we would be the most populous country in the world. With so many skilled, industrious labors why should India have problems on various fronts? This also means, if population is not managed effectively, it would turn be a big liability. So isn't our duty to be a part of India's growth story? So come, let's build this great nation!

Now let’s talk about our GDP growth. GDP growth in 2012 was estimated to be just 3.2%. Why are we still not able to cross a double digit growth rate? We need more economic reforms and a boost to infrastructure development to accelerate growth. So come, let's build this great nation!

As per the World Bank reports, 32.7% of Indian population still suffer from poverty. Why have we not been able to bring down this figure to a single digit even after 66 years of independence? This in turn needs an elaborate discussion on economic and political policies. So, shouldn't we need to send the right Netas to the Vidhan Sabhas and Sansad? So come, let's build this great nation!

60 years is a long time in a human's life and that's why people retire at this age. But for a nation, that's too complex like India, 60 years time of parliamentary democracy is too less. She has a very long way to travel, and that requires the co-operation of all her citizens. So come, let's build this great nation!

Friends, this note on facebook is not written for earning likes. This was written by a concerned citizen of a great nation, to tell you all that elections are round the corner; we all must get ready to discharge our duties as responsible citizens. SO PLEASE DO VOTE IN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS. If you do not possess a voter's ID, please do apply for it and ensure you obtain one. Do not blame the process for not giving one; it is your duty to get one. Come, let's build this great nation!

Voting in elections is not just your right; it is your duty as well!

Let me throw out a question to all of you out here. How many of you are promising me that you would definitely vote in the upcoming election and in the years to come?

Please spread the news if possible!

Bharat Mata Ki Jai!!

Thanks,
Srikrishnan S

Dear Rain, where are you??

People say a disaster like flood is manageable; not drought. But a disaster is a disaster, so why say drought is even more disasterous. The reason they give is that flood can be mitigated to some extent; it is not so easy in the case of a drought. People of Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai know that better. TN was hit severely both by drought (From 2001 to 2004) and floods (In 2005-2006).

With soaring prices of metro water, the struggle we had to put as a result of water scarcity in the city was profuse. Scenes of women squabbling on the streets were quite common; there were instances where the local police had to arrive, to settle the issue smoothly. I still remember this: we were advised by the apartment association to use only 3/4th a bucket for bathing, and only a mug for a face wash!

It was in the year 2003 that the government of TN made the rainwater harvesting scheme mandatory : 

"Through an ordinance titled Tamilnadu Muncipal Laws ordinance, 2003, dated July 19, 2003, the government of Tamil Nadu has made rainwater harvesting mandatory for all the buildings, both public and private, in the state. The deadline to construct rainwater harvesting structures is August 31, 2003. The ordinance cautions, "Where the rain water harvesting structure is not provided as required, the Commissioner or any person authorised by him in this behalf may, after giving notice to the owner or occupier of the building, cause rain water harvesting structure to be provided in such building and recover the cost of such provision along with the incidental expense thereof in the same manner as property tax". It also warns the citizens on disconnection of water supply connection provided rainwater harvesting structures are not provided."

MTC buses plying across the metro carried advertisements urging the need for rain water harvesting. Slowly it became a people's movement.  After the implementation of this scheme, a significant increase in both the quality and level of ground water was noted. The water quality in Chennai is a long way to reach International standards. After an Indian Ocean tsunami lashed the shores of TN, the weather pattern changed drastically. Bay of Bengal which could withstand not more than one or two cyclones, witnessed 4 to 5.  During the year 2005-2006, the highest rainfall of 2356.5 mm was recorded in Chennai district.

2012 was a disappointment for Chennai. TN is one of the states which receives rain from both South-West and North-East monsoon. Usually when the city records less rainfall, the south-west monsoon bridges the gap. This year it fell short by nearly 7 cm of the season’s normal of 41 cm. Overall shortage is estimated to be 33%.

I was taken aback when people were literally praying that it should'nt rain during the ARR concert or during the cricket matches. Short-term pleasures, unmindful of long term ones, seem to be the need of the hour. People, its high time we change our mindset. Why do we often hear the king in dramas uttering the words "நாட்டில் மும்மாறி பொழிகிறதா  அமைச்சரே ??" (Minister, is there enough rainfall in our country?) 

Although water provides no calories or organic nutrients, it is essential for every known form of life. It is considered as a purifier in most religions, philosophy and literature. For the crops to grow, for the agriculture and plains to flourish and for us to sustain on this planet we need water. And what is the purest form of water? Rain.

Our prayers to Bharat Matha

Our Motherland Bharat, India, the ‘United States of India’ (as I would love to call it) celebrates her 65^th Independence Day tomorrow. Who am I, to write about India on the eve of the Independence Day? The President? Certainly not! Just a concerned citizen! But here in India, every concerned citizen is a President on his own. It is just that we people are not aware of our strengths.

India is a developing nation, that’s right. But for how long have we been carrying the same label? For the past 65 years! We are definitely on the track of progress and development, but we need to ask ourselves this question- "How steady is our growth?". What is hindering the growth in our country? The reasons seem to be many.

Corruption is undoubtedly a major cause. Anti-corruption movements have gained momentum, only because the citizens are fed up with all pervasive corruption. It was the JP movement in 1975 and the Anna Movement now. Such movements are a sign of health democracy; but they cannot go to the extent of running a parallel government. There is a section of people, who are against corruption and support these movements, yet another group against both corruption and these movements. The corrupt group obviously is not against corruption, but the problem is with the section of people who are against it, but divided on the issue. It has therefore become very difficult to reach a consensus, and it is due to this reason that the Jan Lok Pal bill has never been passed by the parliament though it has been tabled 9 times. (In the years 1968, 1974, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2011)

I personally feel that such a bill is not required, if only we choose the right candidates during the elections. When the top order is corrupt, the lowest order is also corrupt; it follows the waterfall model. People who accept cash during the election time for voting for a candidature do not have moral rights to speak on corruption. The argument that it is only the tax payers’ money that is being given back to us in the form of bribe is absolutely invalid. Never accept bribe for voting! Never abstain from voting!

They say India was the richest nation once. I would say it is still the richest nation; just that so much of money is stashed abroad illegally. Perhaps, they don’t realize the fact that black money wouldn’t accompany them to the grave. It is wrong to blame the politicians alone. Our favourite film stars also do that, and we continue to admire them extremely stupidly. Remember, you can admire any artist for his immense talents, but we never know how pious they are in public life.

The members of the principle opposition party in the Parliament have given in writing, a declaration to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, that they do not possess any illegal accounts outside India. It’s a welcome step; I just hope every word in that declaration is true, or else it’s nothing short of an ‘unkindest’ cut.

The national mood today is that of anger and frustration. I hope things change soon, but it is impossible without our contribution as citizens. On this day, let us take few resolutions. Let us improve our political wisdom, rightly choose the candidates in the elections, and vote without fail. Let us strive hard to see a superpower India.

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

भारत माता की जय!!