Careless Whispers ...

Few days back someone had casually mentioned that private bus operators in TN had paid a sum of Rs. 25 Lakhs (INR 2.5 Million) each as individual contribution to the ruling party AIADMK, with a request for Bus fare hike across the State. I did not give much importance then to this unconfirmed and unverified information during a casual conversation. Only when I saw this small news item at Page 9 of The Hindu dated 2 nd December, it reminded me of this conversation last week. Busfare hiked to favour private operators: Stalin Equipped with this unconfirmed and unverifiable piece of inside information, suddenly I found myself in a much better position to “understand” the below comment made by Mr. Stalin in this news item: “ The secret behind such a steep increase in bus fare will come out soon .” Surely he knows better the reasons and the background to all decisions such as Bus fare hike and the kind of motivation that prompts them – to be more direct and precise, “been there, ...

During one of the visits to a department store in Italy, came across this new counter “KM 0”. Got curious with the name and started to talk about it with the staff at the counter. In spite of the limited knowledge of Italian, it generated enough interest & curiosity to request a change in the Dinner Venue to a “KM 0” restaurant same evening. As I find this concept extremely relevant to the Indian context, sharing here key take-away of trivia and some insights gathered at this discussion over a “KM Zero” dinner.  “KM Zero” restaurants are considered up-market fine dining destinations and the concept is catching up fast across Europe. Originally started in Italy about 5-6 years back, as a very informal and a social cause in small towns and villages. As a result of typical Italian branding & promotion, what was considered rural and poor has now been duly promoted and turned into a full blown “high-fashion and exotic dining experience”. Italy is one country that ...

There could not have been a better location to celebrate the Family Re-Union after almost 14 years. Everything was pre-arranged and booked well in advance for this Jungle trip by the senior-most member & Head of the family. Right from booking the air-conditioned 12-seater Force Traveller van to drive all of us together all the way and the room reservations at the Forest Resort at Madhai. A short vacation with a stay of Two Days at Madhai was absolute bliss, which every member of the Family from 5 year old grand-son to 77 years old grand-father would cherish for the rest of their lives. Satpura National Park & Tiger Reserve The Jungles of Satpura, now known as Satpura National Park and Tiger Reserve, established in 1981, spread over a total area of 1427 km2, encompassing Pachmarhi (पचमढ़ी) and Bori Sanctuaries; as kids we have grown up accompanying our father and travelling with him into these thick dense forests much before they were declared as “Tiger Reserve”. Probab...

Mr. Arun Maira (Member - Planning Commission) writes in ET Edit Pages quite frequently with a specific focus on Manufacturing. First up, Mr. Arun Maira is a man with highly decorated professional career and a proven track record through some of the finest companies. While commenting on his writings, this is to put on record that his credentials & professional work is always appreciated and respected. What draws my attention to his articles on Manufacturing is the evident lack of substance, sheer emptiness, semantics and the romanticism about the general manufacturing scene and scope in India. I ask myself - what happens to these extra-ordinary people with a glittering professional track record the moment they arrive at a position of such authority and power as that of a Member Planning Commission? This is where they actually can contribute big time, rather than just comment or rant like an ignorant common-man like me. The fact is, as a country, we have completely skippe...

Tahrir Square Egypt, the name itself resonates with a feeling of historical romance, the Pyramids, magnificent Nile, Deserts, Ancient History. But, it was much more than the history this trip, a new chapter in Modern History had just been scripted at Tahrir Square - the birth place of the most peaceful and non-violent civil revolution in recent history to have sent a dictator packing, who ruled and looted the country for three long decades. Having followed the revolution closely and the events that followed , was looking forward to a visit to Ground Zero – The Tahrir Square. Due to similar problems of civil-unrest and freedom-struggle brewing in other countries in this part of the world, noticed while in transit at Bahrain airport that it had a completely deserted look. A housekeeping employee, originally from Kerala who worked at Bahrain airport, mentioned that most of the Indians had already returned home and he was one of the very few left behind. He was also curious to know as...