The Not-So-Reasonable War!

You must know this - if you are least concerned about your own self, and the people around you. To begin with, don't get too involved with the figures I am mentioning (although they are from very reliable sources and you can do further research if you want), just read this with an open and relaxed mind - although I am quite sure you would feel surprised or even disgusted if you pay a little attention to the figures.

This is my effort to bring to notice of a common man like YOU and I - what exactly is going on in a radius of 2500 kms around him/her.

Where exactly is almost half of his/her tax money going to? How is international disconnects and world politics affecting YOU and I as individuals. You might find this of far-relevance to you, sitting in your cozy chair in a secured environment. But trust me, the way things are going on - we need to realize a few facts and figures before its too late - before knowingly or unknowingly, we become a part of this massacre.

Here are a few very interesting facts about the military expenses of our country and our neighbors: (Mind well, I am not bluffing - ask me if you want the source of any of this information.)

This is the amount of money that these nations spent on their defense in the last ONE YEAR:

Pakistan - 3.21% of its GDP

- which is 267,000,000,000 INR (26,700 Crores)

India - 2.41% of its GDP

- which is 1,348,000,000,000 INR (1,34,800 Crores)

China - 1.96% of its GDP

- which is 4,330,000,000,000 INR (4,33,000 Crores)

And just FYI:
US - 4.28% of its GDP
- which would be 2,73,49,200 crore INR (Yes - Rs. 3 Crore Crore!)

Yes! You are thinking right. This means - in 2009, India spent more then ONE LAC CRORE as its defense expenses only!

You know why? Check out the weapons menu: 

cost of 1 bullet - 60-80 Rs. - could be upto 350 Rs. as well!
cost of 1 INSAS rifle - 17 thousand

cost of 1 low category tank ammo - 60-80 thousand
cost of 1 anti tank guided missile - 3 crores
cost of 1 fully loaded battle tank - 28 crores

cost of 1 mig fighter - guess!

cost of 1 fully operational battle ship - can you even imagine? 

Can you imagine how many of these are fired just for target practice or for experiments? Can you imagine how many are fired during actual war? Not to mention the cost of the ships and the planes we are so happy to display at the 26th Jan parade. If you are interested for the entire list, check out these links:

Indian Army Menu Card

Pakistan Army Brief Inventory

Chinese dont say much on net 

Now, since we know how much we are spending, lets see where and most importantly WHY we are spending. 
Before you begin, understand one FACT. The sentences to follow refer to a a few individuals - AND NOT AN ENTIRE REGION, NATION OR COMMUNITY or ANY COMMON MAN like you and I living in that region. A common man has too much to do to get involved in these nobel activities! 

Kindly pay attention to the following TOP 5 LIST:

Some great battles going on in the South Asian Continent - of which we all should be proud of:*********** 
Ranking 5

The Incredible Insurgency in North East India 

Why?
The 7 north eastern states want to create their own independent country - considering their linguistic and cultural differences from "mainland india" - as they call it.
Central government is accused of avoiding these states and they are highly influenced by neighbour China - its communist ideology and trade benefits (and of course the linguistic similarities). 

Since When?
1964 till date 

How many lives lost so far? 

1000 plus - as on records

*********** 
Ranking 4 
The Baffled Battle of Balochistan 

Why?

Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran fighting over a piece of land which was previously the Free Sovereign state of Kalat. Half of it belongs to Pakistan right now, this area being the least populated and least developed - as good as a no man's land.

The trouble is that there is no such decision maker for this land right now. Population comprises of Muslims, Sikhs and Jews. 

Since When?
1964 - as on records 
1948 - as per common sense

How many lives lost so far?

7000 plus - as on records

***********

Ranking 3 
The Naughty Naxalites within India 

Why?

One word - Marxism and Communism (dont get confused with religious communal-ism) This is a demand by some intelligent men to eradicate the differences created by the capitalist government. I need to write 3 pages to explain this entire concept - so lets not get into that for now.
So, in a nutshell, this concept promotes that instead of huge corporations sucking our blood, the government itself does it all. Or, everyone is equal - since everyone is the owner of his business, or no one really is the owner. Or, everyone has equal profit and loss. You can find a million sources to learn more about this. 

Since When?
1967 - eastern India till date
1988 - southern India till date 

How many lives lost so far?

7500 plus - Let me know if you dont believe this - I wld give you the sources

*********** 
Ranking 2

The Weird Waziristan

Or The Nonsense of North West Pakistan

Why?
This one is funny. It is a war between Pakistani Militants and the Al-Queda! Now, the reason is really vague. There are certain tribes in the north west Pak, near to Afghan border - who consider themselves a part of Pak, but wont allow it to enter to search for Al-Queda group members. This region is called Waziristan. 

Since When?
2004 till date 

How many lives lost so far?
30,500 plus

***********

Number 1 
The Killer Kashmir

Why?

Kashmir wants independent Kashmir! Pakistan and India want Kashmir as their own territory! There are more then 50 official - unofficial organizations working on this - to create a Kashmir as they want it to be.
Again, lets not forget China - who also wants a piece of cake - noone in India remebers the battle of 1962 - since we lost it!

Since When?
1947 till date

How many lives lost so far?

90,000 - as on records

***********
After stating all these facts, I have only one word to say... "WHY???"

Are we out of our minds? I dont think so. I believe the majority of population - no matter which country, religion or language they follow or belong to - wants peace. Noone wants to spend their time, money or energy on rockets, tanks or fighter jets. Only 5% of the population wants war. The problem is this 5-10% are the ones making decisions.

Is a piece of land or implementation of a concept so important that these people are okay with killing innocents and wasting so much of our valuable resources? Considering the current global environment - if we dont do something to save earth in the first place - the piece of land for which we are fighting may not exist tomorrow! Or the human species may be in danger - is that not a reason enough to worry?

Think - Is it really worth losing so many human lives and spending so much of resources and energy just for a Conceptional dispute? I dont think so. And I strongly believe that any common man, no matter if he is Indian, Pakistani or Chinese would agree with me. This needs to be put forth to all the organizations (-social and antisocial) and governments who are taking decisions on behalf of their communities and their people to act and enforce these things.

All we need is communication. Let us all talk - communicate with each other. Let us forget our regional, religious and linguistic differences. Let us share our ideas - and ways to implement them. If a majority of the people of these nations take a united stand and express it in an effective way to their governments - there can be a change made.

Let us all unite - and form a Common Man's Nation - where there are expenses only on things like better education, commuting systems, technological advancements and such productive things. Where the reasons behind losing a life can only be medical.

Let us do something to make words like "terrorist" and "war" extinct and historical like "dinosaur" or "witch hunting". So that after two-three generations from now - children are taught in schools that there used to be a social evil called "war" - which now no longer exists! Please guys - if this makes sense to you, forward this link to as many you know. Let us all unite and fight against the fight itself. I sincerely request all of you to propagate this message, and make additions or modifications as per your will. Mail this link, write comments in here, share this on networking sites - be innovative. The success of this blog will only be completed when it would reach Meghalaya, Pakistan, Singapore and the rest of the world. Difficult - but not impossible!

Let us share and care. Let us forget and forgive. Let us unite and unify. Let us create a new future - a new history. Let us all have PEACE IN ITS TRUE SENSE.

-Amen!

One World - Useful or Harmful?

I don't really know who has made this vid, but it definitely is very "dexterous"! (Don' feel bad if you dint understand the humour!) 

Anyway, this certainly suits as theme video for the community that I have created on face book - so 'm glad I found it! Really guys, I think if we can simply make a list of these pointers, put it in a small book and preach it to the generations to come - we would not need a Religion to follow. This says it all... Or I shall say "almost all" to be on a safer side! 

Question: What is the definition of "Religion" according to a new born? 

How does a 5 year old perceive religion? For him, it is more application based then fundamental. 

Why? - Because his/her parents (or other sources of information) educate him/her about their perception of the religion, and not the religion itself. It is more like a compilation of norms to live a socially acceptable life in their own community and environment then to live a life as good human being.
The same thing applies to all the other classifications that we have created - based on regions, languages, political views and every other concept that divides us. 

Again, there is nothing wrong with an applicable approach to religion or anything else - infact, its good. But that should not be limited to a perception. I know I am talking very theoretical, so let me site an interesting practical and feasible example: 

A child is born - and his dad never ever talks to him about anything that has to do with following any religion, belonging to any community or about being a part of a nation or a territory. He doesnt even share any political views. All that the dad and mom share with him is how we evolved as human beings, how important the nature is, how to be nice to everyone, how good we feel when we pray to God, etc. etc...

Obviously, the kid will not find the same environment at school, so one fine day he would ask his dad - "Papa what is India/Pakistan?" or "Mumma what is Hindu/Muslim?" So the mom or dad tells him that that is the name of the part of this beautiful world that we live in, like our street's name is XYZ - its just a part of our address. Now hang on before you curse me, I love my country - but not in competitive terms. I dont think the greatness of any nation lies in how many battles she/he/it has fought or won - but in how many other nations she/he/it has helped and maintained peace and harmony with. And thats exactly why I love my country. 

But more then my country - I love this planet. I love the human race and all the .other animals and trees that exist with us. Can anyone imagine this? Apply this? Forgetting your patriotic feelings for the sake of the human race? Think about it! (Let me know in your comments!) 


Ok, about religion - mom and dad say that beta Chunnu, religion is a way to learn more about God(s) and about how to be a good man overall. It is a way defined by some wise men to lead a good life. There are several ways to be good, and you learn all of them - and choose the best one according to you when you are old enough to decide. We will teach you the best that we know about everything. So they share the good things about the religion that they follow, explain the logic and reasons behind all the festivals, traditions, etc. and ask Chunnu to ask questions to them if he doesnt understand something; and to have faith in one supreme energy responsible for all the goodness around - without naming it. 


What do you think this Chunnu will become tomorrow? Imagine, he has no sense of patriotism, religiousness or any other concept that gives him a feeling of being different then the rest of the human race. Dont like it? Think again. The only classification that is carved in his brain is Useful and Harmful. Dont confuse this with good/bad or right/wrong - these again are perceptional - I would have to write another blog to explain that. Only one classification - USEFUL/HARMFUL - not only as an individual, but for EVERYONE - for the entire race - every idea,concept or thing classified as - USEFUL OR HARMFUL. Thats it!

Enjoy the video and give it a thought. God Bless!

Why not an Indian???

Free Coke at McDonald's!!! Yipppiee!!! 

Ok, the reason I'm going ga-ga about a coke is that I am honestly impressed!

Our cook was off today; so my bro and I decided to go to McD's for a quick meal... Current offer : If they don serve your order in exactly ONE minute, they give you a free Coke! Now we ordered for a couple of burgers, fries and shakes with 2 mayos. The attendant turned the small yellow hour glass (which is kindda cute and cool) down... Within 55 seconds, we had everything on our tray except the mayo - which came in just a fraction of second after the sand in the top half emptied down.

And there it was! Without any questions asked - the attendant nicely put an extra coke onto our tray!

I mean - wow! This truly shows the importance of TAT when you talk about customer service and satisfaction. If I go to "honest" (-an A'bad chain famous for its Pav-Bhaji; that serves the most horrible Pav-Bhaji that you can find in town), and order for a baked Macaroni with Pineapple, the first thing the waiter would say is "Saab bees min. lagega".

Anyway, I like baked macaroni- so I'm ok with 20 mins, but it always takes more than that... And not just by 2-3 mins, but way more... This is not an elaborated or exaggerated incident - go and see for yourself if you wanna spend 75 bucks and half an hour of your time.

So, I am simply asking why cant some Indian do this? Not just restaurants and inns... I am talking about AAAANNNNYYYY thing at all... Cell phone customer care, bank IVR, car repair, investment consulting, PAN card application (I am happy with the passport procedure thought - good job passport office!), tax statements, anything... Anyone in India... Please give me an example of TAT oriented Customer Support... I promise to do free marketing for you through my blogs and other sources... And trust me, I am good at it!

If anyone of you know is providing service of that sort, please write a comment and let me know... If you don’t know, write a comment and crib further!

But for now, tarata ta ta... I'm Lovin it!!! 

God bless!

The UnTold REALITY...

Some day in February...

"DO YOU THINK SHE WOULD BE COMFORTABLE WITH US?" 


- That was the question my wife asked me on a late monday morning. Now the question was directed towards a 19 year old girl, whom my wife had just interviewed for employment as a maid for our household.

I know you would laugh at this - but read on, I won't bug you.

The reason behind this question was that the lady was wearing some sort of a religious thread on her wrist and her neck. Considering that we are omnivorous people, and further considering we are living in Gujarat and not in Mumbai or WB; her question was quite valid. 

Anyway, we hired her. A month from then, the maid came to know that my wife's name is Yasmin

- Yesterday, she confessed (i know this is not a correct word), so rather she revealed that she is a muslim!

End of the story.  

I don't know how anyone would justify this incident in his/her logical paradigm, but I am quite shaken and really disturbed with this whole thing. I know you may find I am questioning the obvious oxymoron of the society, but why the hell shall I not? 

Why should a poor girl, who probably knows about her or any other religion as much as she knows about India's approach to foreign relations; wear a symbol of some religion just to get an employment worth hardly Rs. 100 a day? 

And can we even imagine how many people in this free secular nation compromise on their religious/political/sexual identity in some or the other way every day just to live a smooth life? I am not pointing at any religion or a social segment in particular - but don't we ALL "let go" certain things - in an attempt not to create an uncomfortable situation for us or people surrounding us? 

Considering more then 40% people of this country do this kind of an activity - at least once in a week. That makes it about 20,800,000,000 (Two Thousand and Eighty Crores) incidents in a year! 

This is a tight slap on the face of Secularism and Liberalism - which we are so proud of! And obviously, needless to say - WE ALL, no matter which region we stay in, which religion we follow, which language we speak - are responsible for this to a smaller or larger extent. - Everyone of us who has created and is maintaining this society the way it is. 

I request change. I hope we would change. The only way to create a better world is to change ourselves. Each of us must contribute to this. Please accept a human being as a human being and not on any other grounds - or else you wont know on what grounds you will be classified tomorrow. I am putting efforts to make this change happen.



Are you???

Where Are We Heading?

Ok ok… So we are all impressed and excited about the wonderful – astonishing – dazzling – mind blowing – all new I-Pad!!! I have seen and read almost all the reviews available on google, you tube, other sites and educative blogs from a lot of tech freaks, and it seems I pad is no-doubt the most controversial product launch of this year.
Honestly, I love reading books and playing games, and I do require to constantly be online and on my mails as well. If a slate (sorry Mr. Herd) which is weighing 1.6 pounds (3 quarters of a kg), less then half an inch thick, and worth 25 grands can provide all of these facilities; as well boasts of a brand name “Apple” – I will probably buy it. However, on second thoughts (sorry Steve), I would rather consider waiting a little bit more for the actual slate to come in (you’re welcome Mr. Herd) – with my dear user friendly windows (you’re welcome too, Bill) on it, a camera, multitasking features and may be a competitive price! (- there’s no harm in wishing)

If you are interested in knowing new stuff, and can find some time to research, please find out the 6th sense technology being developed by TED, by one of their Gujarati Indian Developer by the name of Pranav Mistry. There are videos and information on you tube and many other sites about this amazing break through invention.
The big question is, “WHERE ARE WE HEADING?”

Imagine, a day of your life in the year 2025. A student “looks” at a sum and the 6th sense device hanging around his neck will display the answer on the practice book itself. You “look” at a pack of biscuits at the grocery store and the device flashes red on it reminding you that your mom is diabetic. You “look” at the poster of a latest flick and the device starts projecting its official trailer from you tube on the poster itself. Your wife “looks” at a shirt and she is reminded by this wonderful technology that you don’t like wearing pink! I mean, there is infinite scope for this sort of a technology to be involved with you life.

The only idea that genuinely scares me is, if this becomes an integral part of our day-to-day life in the next 15 years, don’t you think that the Evolution of the Human Brain ENDS AFTER 15 YEARS? We anyway use merely 2% of our brains, with a technological aid like this, or rather like these, it will probably reduce to 0.5%. If I have a technology which (or WHO) can think on my behalf, what’s the freakin point of having my own brain maaan?

I am truly amazed by this invention, and I undoubtedly believe this can change the way we LIVE in near future, but one certainly has to draw a line. I will rather my kids solve a jigsaw puzzle or a rubik’s cube on their own, then placing it on a Microsoft surface (sorry Bill) and watching the digital surface do it for them.

Once again, I think Pranav Mistry, Steve Jobs, Mark Herd and Bill Gates - all are Great men and we are lucky to have them around. I truly appreciate the genius of these minds and believe that what they have created is simply fantastic and a huge leap for science and technology. I am not a man AGAINST technology, but a man FOR human intelligence. Check out the various links below to realize I am talking NOW and not far far future.

• Sixth Sense (Gizmodo)
• Sixth Sense - You tube Video 1
• Sixth Sense - You tube Video 2

Think about it! (-with your own brain and not with google)

God Bless!!!

Hitler Hates i-Pad

My next post was going to be on technology advancements and similar stuff. Came across this video on you-tube in the process. It is out and out hilllllllllarious. Please have a look: