Oct
7
Packing light and smart for travel
Filed Under Executive Travel | 2 Comments
Have you ever wished to travel with just a carry-on? Some tips on how to turn a few clothing items into a week’s wardrobe and pare down toiletry supplies.
[Click here - 3MB PDF file -to read this piece published in Outlook Business or read it on this blog]
Just because you travel business class does not mean you have to use the generous baggage allowance it comes with. More so since airports are the great levellers; all but a few treat passengers and their bags equally, irrespective of the class they are travelling in. Read on for some useful tips
Oct
5
So, Rahul Gandhi is general secretary of the Congress Party, the lead partner in the coalition currently ruling India. So, does anyone care about this except the party workers (who think this is like winning the World Cup, but more on this later)? Here are five reasons why it cannot be a big deal unless proven otherwise:
- Where is the charisma? Don’t go by the crowds one sees following Rahul in his constituency, aptly covered by Doordarshan, but where else have you seen people swooning over him? Does he realise charisma is no longer spelt ‘Gandhi’? Or is his coterie of advisors, like his late father’s, leading him up the garden path too?
- A youth leader? Is he? Does he represent Indian youth and their aspirations? Do they really care about him – their icons are now Infosys founder Narayan Murthy, former President Kalam, actor Shah Rukh Khan and cricketer Rahul Dravid. And everyone else who became what they have with no family name and fortune, and showing the way to do it.
- Does anyone want his dole? Continuing the point 2, Rahul Gandhi is still caught up in believing development is only through the dole route – the first thing he insisted upon after being appointed General Secretary was expansion of the National Rural Employee Guarantee Scheme. No talk of taking education, healthcare and infrastructure to the interiors which will generate employment on its own and in a much bigger and sustainable manner.
- Is he really smart? Tough, considering his suspect academic credentials and subsequent work experience, if any. Can one recall any inspiring statement by Rahul Gandhi to show he has a vision for India and its citizens? And his smile, quite uncharismatic at best, cannot hide all the times he has ended pushing his own foot in the mouth when he does open it to speak.
- Leadership has to be proved, even if it is thrust upon you. Rahul Gandhi has got the ‘crown’ easily, but his ‘leadership’ has shown little success other than winning seats for only the family members. The party is losing ground – largely due to a lack of leaders who can motivate and discipline workers to perform for results.
Rahul Gandhi, show you can lead the youth – and then all posts like General Secretary etc etc will not be of any consequence. And to so that you need to start conversing with them first.
Oct
4
Irony: Sanjay Dutt conferred award on Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday
Filed Under Public Interest | 6 Comments
Imagine a man convicted of possessing dangerous firearms being given an award for promoting Mahatma Gandhi’s values of peace? Called the India Splendor Award, this award was conferred on Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt by the Mglobal Trust, a ‘corporate social responsibility’ initiative of the Indian telecom company Spice. This company is headed by Dr. B.K. Modi.
This award has apparently been awarded for Sanjay Dutt’s role in ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai‘, a film promoting the values of Mahatma Gandhi and was given away on the late leader’s birthday on October 2, 2007. Ironical? Read on for more
Oct
1
The Indian judiciary tend to go ballistic over anything even coming close to challenging their decisions, their way of functioning or even their integrity – the latest being the case of the Mid-Day newspaper journalists not only getting a rap on their knuckles but also four months behind bars (currently stayed by the Supreme Court).
Have these men of honour sitting on the high chairs, literally, ever given a thought to contempt of citizen in the manner they handle the cases? Just a few instances from personal experience will show what I mean [These are just some ways how courts practice contempt of citizen, day in and day out. Do you have any to share? Comment below or write to ajay@ajayjain.com] Continue Reading
