TSI’s Twixter Test

If you are between 18-30 years, answer the following questions to find out if

YOU ARE A TWIXTER:-

1. You earn but still ask your parents for financial help. Yes/No

2. You think the marriageable age for girls and guys is after 25. Yes/No

3. In fact, “marriage”, “kids” and “settling down” are words that evoke apprehensions, and don’t exist in your dictionary right now. Yes/No

4. You agree that you’ll not be able to maintain similar standards of living if you were living by yourself. Yes/ No

5. You delay taking important decisions in life as you think you’ll be more prepared as time goes by. Yes/No

6. You day dream and search for ideals in life. Yes/ No

7. Quarter-life crisis is just the word that precisely describes your life. Yes/ No

8. The number of jobs you have had till now is any day more than the number of years you have worked. Yes/ No

If you answered “Yes!” for five or more of the above questions, then you’re one of the thousands of twixters out there!

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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IT Park project scrapped

Each company was assured 90 acres by the government

The West Bengal government scrapped the much-hyped IT Park project on the 500 acres at Rajarhat area near Salt Lake City following a land scam involving land grabbers and government officials.

Indian IT companies, like Infosys Technologies and Wipro, were supposed to set up their project here and each company was assured 90 acres. But the project failed to come to fruition. Earlier, projects in Nandigram and Singur were scrapped. After the poll debacle, the Barasat-Raichak Bypass and Dankuni DLF Township projects were scrapped.

TSI had earlier reported how the state government inked deal with land mafia Rajkishore Modi’s company Akash Nirman Private Ltd. Besides, the department had sealed a deal with the Diamond group of Amar Nath Shroff. Both the companies formed joint venture with the state government’s IT company WEBEL (erstwhile West Bengal Electronics Ltd) and rechristened as WEBEL Akash IT Links and WEBEL Diamond IT Links. According to the contract they would procure 1200 acres from the farmers and hand over 600 acres free of cost to the state IT department. In return, the state would provide infrastructure free of cost. When land acquisition became nearly impossible, these companies — reportedly close to top CPM leaders — used notorious goons like Gaffar Molla, Ruidas Mondal alias Luis (one time CPM panchayat member), Gour Mondal and Kelo Babu to grab peasants’ lands. This fact has also been admitted by Chief Secretary of the State. The state colluded with the mafia.

To seek a loan of Rs 425 crore from the Central Bank of India, these two companies formed another JV between themselves, Vedic Diamond IT Links, ‘to purchase land in South and North 24 Parganas and develop township’. The bank after disbursing Rs 125 crore discovered that the land mortgaged was agricultural land, which was illegal. Bank sources said, “Presumably, if the mortgaged land was non-agricultural then the question is how that was converted!” All this prompted minister Abdul Rezzak Mollah to demand for scrapping of the IT project.

However, Housing Minister Gautam Deb — the “kingpin” of the whole land-grab drive — slammed Mollah and said he knew nothing of Gaffar or corruption at the IT Park. But, the cracks were visible as many comrades supported Mollah and demanded scrapping of the IT Park. Yet, no decision was taken.

It was only after criticism of the Left Front government by Politbureau members and CPM general secretary Prakash Karat that forced the government to scrap the project.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Rahul Gandhi’s new congress is quietly taking shape - IIPM NEWS

This is a story about a phone call that went out about a year ago from Delhi to Pune. The UPA government had survived both the ‘cash-for-vote’ scam and the confidence motion presented by Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister.

The pundits, the intelligentsia, the media and the political class were in a tizzy with epithets like ‘Singh is King’ becoming folklore. If you recall, no one was talking about how the monsoon was playing truant; the gossip was all about politicians even more unreliable than the monsoon that was playing truant. The Third Front – with ‘Dalit ki beti’ Mayawati as the Prime Minister in waiting – had emerged as a monster that could devour both the UPA and the NDA.

It was around this time that an unknown Dalit called Manoj Kamble got a telephone call from Delhi. It sounds trite sure; but the law graduate Kamble – whose father is a factory worker based in Pune – was actually speechless with astonishment after getting the call. He would have been happy as hell if the caller had been Suresh Kalmadi, the Congress satrap of Pune. Actually, it was Rahul Gandhi who called up Kamble to personally congratulate him for being selected as the leader of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) for Maharashtra. Just in case you forgot, NSUI is the students’ arm of the Congress. According to Kamble, 200 candidates had applied for the post; 14 were shortlisted "but finally Rahulji appointed me on my merits."

Welcome to the New Congress that Rahul Gandhi is building from ground up. It does sound anachronistic when most promising scion of the most powerful political dynasty of India starts to rebuild a party that is steeped in dynasty politics. And replace it with a cadre of workers who display more ‘merit’ than familial links. You won’t hear or read much about people like Kamble, or even about what exactly the heir apparent is actually talking and doing during meetings and sessions where he picks up these ‘sipahis of Congress’. People close to Rahul Gandhi are as tight-lipped as heretical Christians during the Spanish Inquisition. But dig a little deeper and two things very clearly emerge. There are some bravehearts who happily go on record. “We are now extremely hopeful that we will someday get a chance to lead our party in the state. Earlier, politicians used to promote their own family members. Now, Rahulji has given us hope,” says a Youth Congress member Ramayan Yadav from Uttar Pradesh. Note the delicious irony; this Yadav is a ‘nobody’ and has nothing to do with Mulayam Yadav.

First, Rahul Gandhi is quietly revamping, rebuilding and remodelling the 124 -year-old party by shunning ‘courtiers’ and adopting the ‘grassroots’ model. Second, the strategy is clear cut: Rahul Gandhi should be able to go to the President of India in 2014 with a list of at least 272 Congress MPs. We must add a caveat, of course: his father, the late Rajiv Gandhi too had launched a bold campaign to revamp the party. Nobody knows if Rahul will succeed with a 124- year-old mothballed organisation when Rajiv failed with a 100-year-old mothballed organisation. After all, even Rajiv Gandhi had tried the ‘youth’ trick.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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IIPM News - History Mail - Jacques Turgot to Louis XVI

Jacques Turgot (Baron de l'Aulne) was perhaps the leading economist of 18th Century France. Turgot can be said to have formed a distinct school of his own and had exercised a deep influence upon Adam Smith, who was living in France in the 1760s and was on intimate terms with Turgot. Many of the concepts and ideas in Smith's Wealth of Nations are drawn directly from Turgot. Following letter was written to King Louis XVI when the latter asked him to control the finance of the empire. Turgot figured that if he could keep government spending in check and encourage private economic enterprise, tax revenues would rise and state finances would return to solvency.

1774 August 24

Louis XVI, King of France ,

Having just left Your Majesty's room, still full of the anxiety produced by the immensity of the burden you place upon me, overcome be the touching kindness with which you have deigned to encourage me, I hasten to convey to you my respectful gratitude and the absolute devotion of my whole life.

Your Majesty has been good enough to authorize me to put in writing the promise you have made to uphold me in the execution of those plans for economy that are at all times, and to-day more than ever, of an absolute necessity . ... At this moment, Sire, I confine myself to recalling to you these three phrases: No bankruptcy; No increase of imposition; No borrowing. No bankruptcy either avowed or disguised by arbitrary reduction (of interest on public stock). No increase of impositions; the reason for this lies in the plight of your subjects, and still more in Your Majesty's heart. No borrowing; because every loan always diminishes the unanticipated revenue and necessitates, in the long run, either bankruptcy or an increase in taxes. In time of peace it is perhaps permissible to borrow, but only in order to liquidate old debts, or to redeem other loans contracted on less advantageous terms.

There is only one way of fulfilling these three aims: that of reducing expenditure below receipts, and sufficiently below to ensure each year a saving of twenty millions (livres) with a view to the redemption of long-standing debts. Failing this, the first gunshot will drive the State to bankruptcy. It will be asked, “On what can we retrench?” and all officials, speaking for their own departments, will maintain that every particular item of expenditure is indispensable. They will be able to put forward very good reasons; but since the impossible cannot be achieved, all these must yield to the absolute necessity of economy.

It is, then, highly essential for Your Majesty to insist that the heads of all departments should act in concert with the Minister of Finance. It is imperative that he should discuss with them in the presence of Your Majesty the urgency of proposed expenses. Above all it is essential, Sire, that, as soon as you have decided what amount is strictly requisite for each department, you should forbid the officials concerned to order any new expenditure without first arranging with the Treasury the means of providing for it. Without this regulation each department will load itself with debts, which will always become Your Majesty's debts, and your Minister of Finances will be unable to answer for the discrepancy between income and expenditure. Your Majesty is aware that one of the greatest obstacles to economy is the multiplicity of demands by which you are constantly besieged, and which have unfortunately been sanctioned too indulgently by your predecessors.

It is necessary, Sire, to arm yourself against your kindness by a greater kind-heartedness, by considering whence comes this money which you are able to distribute to your courtiers, and by comparing the wretchedness of those from whom it is extracted (sometimes by the most rigorous methods) with the condition of those people who have the greatest call upon your liberality. There are certain favours which, it is thought, you can readily grant, because they do not immediately bear upon the Royal Treasury.

I venture to repeat here what you have already been kind enough to hear and approve. The affecting kindness with which you condescended to press my hands within your own, as if accepting my devotion, will never be effaced from my memory. It will sustain my courage. It has for all time welded my personal happiness with the interests, the glory, and the welfare of Your Majesty.

Anne Robert Jacques Turgot

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative
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Improved Me!

The bad boys are busy in their image makeover sessions!

It took years for actor Jackie Chan to transform his image from an action flick actor to the king of comedy. Schwarzenegger splurged millions to change his image from an actor to a politician. In this race of makeovers, how can our famous and infamous leaders, presidents and dictators be left behind. Around the world, they are using all possible boulevard to promote their new image.

With similar motive in mind, since 2004, Equatorial Guinea has paid Cassidy and Associates — a government-relations firm — around $120,000 per month to overhaul the country's image and public perception and win audience with American leaders. Few years ago, the US officials would have never talked about their relationship with Guinea but on May 7, 2007, Condoleezza Rice stood before a pack of reporters with one of Africa's most appalling dictators — Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo — at her side and remarked him as a ‘good friend’. Learning from this, it did not take much time for Saudi Arabia to enter into a $14 million-a-year contract with Qorvis, a Washington PR firm, after 9/11 to refurbish its global image. A series of TV campaign (promoting the 9/11 Commission findings) with talk shows featuring Saudi royals alongside the US presidents were organised. Not so lately, in 2002 itself, even the petro-giant Qatar paid $15,000 a month to PR and lobbying firm Rahall Consulting. Following this deal Rahall presented congressional resolutions, which praised Qatar's democratic reform. Walking on the same lines, even Uganda — famous for human rights abuse — hired PR giant Hill & Knowlton to dilute criticism of its atrocious human rights record. Hill & Knowlton has also developed close ties with many other governments, globally, mainly for handling PR issues. The firm has had particular success in marketing the Gulf War and the Iraq war to the American people.

Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan ran an ad campaign echoing out that it is a ‘developing democratic country’. Even Sudan, famous for genocide, spent $530,000 to create an image that it was cooperating on the war on terrorism. It took three PR firms for Azerbaijan's Ilham Aliyev to make Bush announce that Aliyev ‘understands that democracy is the wave of the future’. Even Russia is not far away in this image-building race. Russia paid Ketchum $2.9 million (from August 2008 to January 2009) to attenuate its Georgia attack and gas issues with Ukraine. The firm secured a CNN interview for Vladimir Putin and facilitated Putin to become Time magazine's "Person of the Year" for 2007. Likewise, Republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia have hired PR company to improve their worldwide image. Israeli's Foreign Ministry are hoping to "rebrand" Israel by focusing less on the regional conflict and more on Israel's science and culture with the help of firm Young and Rubicam.

In this era of commercialisation, every one, from actors to criminals to nations get involved in image building exercise. It’s no wrong hiring and indulging in image building process to better-off one’s perception in the world’s eye. But then, the nations must not forget that these initiatives will fall flat if they do not change their existing wrong habits (inhumane practices) or later get back to their old practices. These new avtars need to strictly maintain and practice their new image. With public memory being very short, these initiatives will come futile if not backed up by concrete efforts…efforts what they want the world to believe in!

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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When ‘growth’ hurts…

Unbridled multiplication of cells causes cancer. And that’s about the only thing certain about the disease that threatens to claim about 15 million lives worldwide by 2020. Swati Hora looks hard for hope…

he must have been in her late thirties, tall and well-dressed. She was holding her husband’s arm with one hand and carried a bulky silver chain in the other. As they covered the distance from the doctor’s cabin to the nearest ward, her weary gait and sad eyes seemed to belie her ostensibly healthy appearance. To me, she had looked better when she was entering the cabin a while back. Sitting at the reception of Indraprastha Apollo Hospital’s Oncology Department, I wondered about this killer disease that mauls the emotions just as much it vitiates the vitals.

Soon after, it was time to accompany Dr. Harsh Dua, Senior Oncologist on his round of visit to the cancer patients. I brought up the most obvious question – why does cancer happen at all – to which he could only offer, “God knows, what’s the reason for uncontrolled cell growth (cancer) in any part of the body? All we know about are certain things that trigger it.” The question seemed to be in the same ilk as the likes of ‘why do wars happen?’, or ‘why did I fail?’ I then moved on from the why(s) to the what (s) and how(s) of cancer. While cancer usually attacks a particular organ of the body, the symptoms are of two types. “General, that is related to fatigue and loss of appetite, and specific, related to the organ concerned,” informed Dr Dua.

With 10.9 million people diagnosed with cancer every year, according to WHO, the clamour for vaccination has justifiably gotten louder. The only breakthrough has been cervical cancer vaccines available as Gardasil (An estimate by Cancer Research UK states one in ten female cancers diagnosed worldwide are cancers of the cervix).

“The cervical cancer vaccination Gardasil, given to girls, protects them from the viral cause – that too just one type of virus, Human Papilloma virus (HPV) – and not from the other causes,” explains Dr Dua. “There is no denying the fact that it is quite an achievement since a lot of cases of cervical cancer stem from this virus that women contract through sexual contact with men, who are the carriers of HPV.” Gardasil thus prevents 90 per cent of HPV symptoms in men and protects their partners from cervical cancer. Now, the administration of these jabs to men is also being considered, although related male cancers are a rare occurrence.

The cervical cancer jab is recommended for every teenaged girl so that they develop immunity before they attain sexual maturity. Due to the same reason, taking the jab after 30 is usually too late.

“Like all other vaccines, there can be certain side-effects (such as an allergic reaction) and the degree of effectiveness may vary too,” reminds Dr Dua.

Talking about cancer vaccinations at large, Dr Dua categorically also warned that the jab is only a small step, and by no means a complete guarantee against the disease and that “separate vaccines for each organ are ideal due to different risk factors”. For an ailment as lethal as this, he says, “To prevent and cure cancer we have to focus on everything – from medical advancements in the field of early diagnosis (more screening programs), better diagnosis, and cure (chemotherapy) to lifestyle changes.” Smokers thus run greater risk of lung cancer, while chewing paan masala puts one at a higher risk of oral cancer.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative
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When silence says it all…

As the name suggests, Silent Valley is a destination for those who’d want to take time out from the cacophony of the cities and unwind in a calm and serene environment. Mannarkkat township of Palakkad district hardly gives the impression of being the gateway to Silent Valley, the peaceful wonderland. Winding roads carve their way through hills, tall trees dot the roads on one side while a deep abyss lies on the other; scenic beauty unlike any other place welcomes one to this National Park. While the sound of the insect cicada usually floats in the air in the areas around the Silent Valley, strangely, this valley remains unaffected… and so it has been named – The Silent Valley National Park.

This place is usually visited by those who enjoy indulging their senses with an extravaganza of flora and fauna. As one admires the lush green environment, the remains of a several centuries-old Kattualying tree wouldn’t fail to grab his/her attention. It’s said that the tree’s trunk was hollow and was huge enough to accommodate at least 12 adults in it! Now, its remains are still an interesting sight. Further ahead in the Park, one can spot a number of Malabar giant squirrels hopping from one branch to another. These squirrels and rare multi-coloured butterflies, which flutter around the visitors, make one feel as though they’ve stepped into an enchanted land straight from a fairytale! And in this land, one can sit alongside the streams that gurgle past, or even choose to get drenched in the gushing waters of the waterfalls...

A place where a plethora of flora and fauna abounds, the sight of cobras isn’t rare over here. There have also been instances when a tiger has blocked the road and not allowed anyone to move any further inside the forest! So if adventure excites you, it’s a good bet that you will chance upon one at the Silent Valley!

One must not miss the breathtaking view of the valley from atop the 200-metre tall watchtower. The sight of mountains covered with green trees till as far as the eyes can see, is a picturesque sight, and a fantastic opportunity for those fond of photography. Although inhabited by wild animals, it’s best to walk in this thick forest (with a guide of course), for as the cool breeze caresses your face, the sound of the streams fill your ears, a butterfly comes and pecks at your cheek, and perhaps a wild animal comes in sight, it would make for memories to be cherished for a lifetime…

THE DESTINATION DOSSIER

Steering the course:

Take a flight to Coimbatore; Silent Valley is an hour-drive away from there. Palakkad is the nearest railway station.

Cosy corners:

If luxury is what you desire, then The Silent Valley Resort is the place to stay. To enjoy the feel of the jungle, one could opt for accommodation provided by the Forest Department.

The ‘season’ed traveller goes now:

November to February is the best time to visit.

‘Savour’ faire

Meals are generally provided by the hotel, but once there, do not miss out on the delicious south Indian cuisine.

Get to work

If you’re a water baby, take a dip in the clear waters of the Bhavani river. One has to visit the solar-operated exhibition hall here, and don’t let laziness keep you from an early morning trek in the jungle!

What’s the word?

English is understood, but greeting the people with namaskaram (hello) can bring a smile to their faces.

Keepsake courtesies:

There’s nothing material that the place offers to its visitors. But one could capture plenty of scenic pictures in his/her camera and take home beautiful memories of this natural wonder.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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IIPM News - Trust, but verify

Abusive, even destructive, teen relationships are on the rise in india. girls, lured by the thrills of free mingling with the opposite sex, are falling easy prey to predators and seekers of cheap thrills. caution is the key, report priyanka rai & Hitesh Ankleshwariya

Maya was a sprightly teenager in love with love. Her boyfriend, Rakesh, meant the world to her. She often lied to her parents, even fought with them, to be with the man of her dreams. But a nightmare awaited her. She had no idea that the boy she trusted so blindly was using his mobile phone to record every moment of intimacy that she shared with him. Rakesh threatened to make the MMS clips public if she did not agree to satiate the lust of his fiendish friends as well. Maya was trapped. And before she knew what had hit her, the embarrassing clips were out in the market. Her world came crashing down.

Numerous tales of horror similar to Maya’s have been hitting the headlines in India with alarming regularity in recent months. The story is virtually the same everywhere, in big cities and small towns, in Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Cuttack and Alapuzzha, Kerala. Sexual predators masquerading as lover boys take advantage of fast developing technological means and a growing permissiveness among the urban teen crowd to trap girls in their web of deceit, sexual exploitation and blackmail.

On the face of it, being a teenager in new-millennium India is exciting indeed. There is freedom to mingle. There are countless opportunities for boys and girls to give free rein to their inner urges. And there is the pleasure of living life to the hilt. But the flip side of this ostensibly rosy scenario is that it is fraught with grave danger. Youthful liberty can often lead to fatal follies, as it tragically did in the cases of Cuttack’s Asima Mohanty and, as recently as last Saturday, a high school girl in Thane, who was lured by four boys to a secluded spot near a movie theatre and brutally gang-raped .

A promising student of journalism and mass communication, Asima was driven to suicide by her boyfriend, who sold pictures and MMS clips of their intimate encounters for a fast buck. Asima’s fault was that she not only fell in love with the wrong guy, she also trusted him completely. Gullibility was her bane. By the time she realised that the man she had surrendered herself to was actually a pimp, it was far too late. For him, betraying the trust of a woman and making and circulating a pornographic CD featuring her was all in a day’s work. For Asima, it was the last straw. She preferred death to living with infamy.

Last Saturday's incident in Nalla Sopara in Maharashtra's Thane district also ended in the 15-year-old girl's suicide. Four local youngsters took her out on the eve of World Friendship Day and raped her repeatedly. The grievously injured girl dragged herself home the next morning and used a nylon rope to end her life.

The first MMS scandal to erupt in India was the one involving a girl student of Delhi Public School. Since then, sexually explicit clips, circulated through mobile phones and the Internet, have proliferated across the country. Who is to blame for this reprehensible phenomenon? Both parents and behavioural counsellors feel that girls need to exercise greater caution. “Clips mania is spreading dangerously among the younger generation,” says Ahmedabad-based psychiatrist Dr. Hansal Bhachech. “With perverts on the prowl everywhere, girls need to keep a check on who they their friends are.”

“Girls are more vulnerable today than ever before because of their casual attitude towards sex,” says Prof. Rabindra Kumar Dash, retired principal of a government college in Orissa. “As the father of a young college-going girl, I hold the victim responsible. In a modern society, every girl has the right to choose her life partner. But when in love, they should avoid indulging in any kind of sexual activity. This openness makes them easy prey.”

A girl in Mehsana district of Gujarat, Namrata (name changed), a victim of rape and blackmail, would have valid reasons to disagree with that assertion. In her complaint registered with the local police, she has alleged that a man, Vishnu Chaudhary from Rupaal village of the same district, proposed to her and a few days later lured her to a hotel room. There, he forced himself on her and recorded the act on his mobile. Tired of his blackmailing, Namrata complained to her parents about the incident and filed an FIR with the police. An upset Vishnu settled scores by circulating the MMS clip in the market.

As a result of parental and societal conditioning in her formative years, the average girl in India tends to be too trusting of the man she loves. Once she is in a relationship, she gives in to every demand that the lover makes. While it gives her a sense of freedom – she feels that she is doing what she is doing of her own sweet will – she is often actually at the mercy of an exploitative man who perceives a woman as no more than a sex object.

Take the case a 19-year-old Mumbai college girl who was raped first by her boyfriend, Parag Mhatre, and then by a bunch of his friends. Parag had befriended the Bhayander girl about seven months before the incident. He would wait for hours outside her college and shower a lot of attention on her whenever he met her. He introduced himself as Ritesh Patil and she fell in love with him. One day she accompanied Parag to a hotel where she was forced to have sex with him and his friends. Parag also filmed the act on his mobile phone and threatened to make the MMS clips public if she dared to complain to anybody about the incident.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Young and the faithful

Aristotle said that good habits formed at youth make all the difference. The 20- and 30- somethings featured here all have successful careers. But they have also harnessed spirituality through a spiritual organisation to be much more than individuals chasing success, money and fame. Anil Pandey profiles these spiritual volunteers

Considering the crumbling corporations around us, there seems to be hardly anything remotely spiritual about values in the corporate world. By definition too, business – which aims at ‘maximising shareholder wealth’ – and spirituality, which promotes renunciation of materialist desires, hardly seem to overlap. And yet, if you speak to Ruchika Arora, Relationship Manager with Axis Bank; Gitanjali Atri, Copy Editor in Times of India; Nitesh Kumar, President (Marketing), Real Estate in Indiabulls; Neeraj Sharma, Chartered Accountant in Price water house Coopers, Aditi Mehdiratta, Programme Assistant in International Union for Conservation of Nature; MBA student Akhil Kumar et al, it isn’t too difficult to see a connection.

In a refreshing coming together of ostensibly divergent cultures, successfully employed youth are finding time for meditation and service spirit. Even as they remain earnest in their Karmakshetra or field of work – their jobs – they are also intent on discovering the greater meaning of life and self, dedicating themselves to spiritual pursuits and social philanthropies in the process. While some teach slum children and impart vocational training to prisoners, others work during holidays towards environment awareness and protection; some others even make themselves available during rescue and relief activities in the wake of calamities.

While the iPhone and Xbox generation may seem to have little to do with spirituality, people like Nitesh, Ruchika and the aforementioned others lend hope that all is probably not lost yet. Ruchika explains, “Spirituality teaches us the right way to lead our lives. It does not stop us from acquiring riches; it only warns against avarice and extreme indulgence.” Does it not then come in the way of their career ambitions? Nitesh Kumar thinks, “Dhyan-Sadhana has in fact shaped my career graph better. It has helped check my aggression, and bettered my integrity levels and decision-making ability. With reduced stress, I feel more energetic and my efficiency has increased.” Nitesh, and hundreds like him are part of full-time volunteer team of the Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan (DJJS), a spiritual organisation that helps them channelise their positive energies towards giving a little back to society. Over the last few weeks, more than 5,000 such volunteers have been brainstorming, practicing and pounding the streets to make a success of their annual Janmashtami celebrations.

Mostly professionals in various private organisations, a considerable number claim to relate to Lord Krishna, a popular deity in the Hindu pantheon, designating Him as the original ‘management Guru’! Says Neeraj, “ Today the youth is much inspired by Lord Krishna; His message to Arjuna holds equal relevance for the current generation, particularly His emphasis on Karma.” Of course, they all are grateful to DJJS and its founder Sri Ashutosh Maharaj Ji for helping them fuse career ambitions with spirituality and social service. Talking out of her experience, Gitanjali says, “Dhyan and Sadhana not only bring us equanimity, but also make us much better human beings, intent on the welfare of mankind.”

Many claim to have been automatically and naturally compelled to quit drinking and smoking after a stint as a volunteer. They choose to spend money on social work and welfare programmes.

35-year-old Vipin Sawhney, General Manager at Virgin Mobile sums it up, “Our lives must be made akin to that of a lotus; even though it flourishes in a swamp, its flower remains untouched by the muck. Likewise, to live in this world and yet not be in bondage to it, and remain unaffected by adversities and vices, is how we must strive to be.”

Everyone talks about how the Indian youth can exert a powerfully positive influence on India and its future. But most people just talk and spend time and money on parties, gadgets and senseless TV shows. But these volunteers of DJJS are truly walking the talk. From rehabilitating prisoners at Tihar Jail to helping visually impaired to giving solace to the troubled and the needy, they seem to be doing it all.

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Pam unlocks her secrets

It’s almost hard to believe that sex symbol Pamela Anderson was once a tomboy and extremely shy as a kid! The “Baywatch” actress revealed that she was not confident with her body and almost felt sick when her breasts were rearranged by the make-up artist during her first adult magazine cover shoot. However, the 42-year-old blonde beauty also spilled some more beans and said that she was a nymphomaniac as a teenager. She says she still has a high sex-drive and still wears her famous red swim suit for her current boyfriend Jamie Padgett. That swimsuit, by the way, Pam usually keeps tucked away in a safe! Family memorabilia, eh?

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

Bhoomiputras vs the rest - "IIPM Press Release"

Whom will Maharashtrians choose to be ruled by this time? And will the MNS and its leader, ‘bhoomiputra’ Raj Thackeray, be able to sway voters by appealing to Maratha pride? Devdas Matale finds out

Formed in 1966, the Shiv Sena slowly moved away from its initial goals and joined hands with the BJP and advocates of Hindutva. One section of Marathi ‘manoos’ (sons of the soil) claimed this made them feel ignored and isolated. The Sena’s philosophies also were a bone of contention for Balasaheb Thackeray’s nephew Raj Thackeray, who eventually quit the party to form the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). “My fight is to give primacy to the Marathi language and the Marathi manoos,” Raj had proclaimed.

He was seemingly good to his word, for there followed a series of violent protests by groups who clearly had fallen for Raj’s rhetoric about the Maharashtrian identity and culture being threatened. These narrow minded groups across the state reacted fanatically to his rabid speeches. Interestingly, later on, in 12 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats that MNS contested, the MNS had at various points taken the lead in 11 assembly constituencies, giving the Shiv Sena-BJP combine the jitters.

Many political watchers expect this “MNS factor” to figure prominently once again in the assembly elections, this given the clear fact that at the moment only the Congress has the strength to put up candidates in all 288 seats. None of the other major parties – the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena – can match the Congress on this count. This is also the view of Ulhasdada Pawar, senior Congress leader and chairman of the Rest of Maharashtra Statutory Development Board. Says Ulhasdada: “The Congress, which is the largest party in Maharashtra, doesn’t need an alliance with the NCP to do this. And though the MNS successfully poached the Shiv Sena-BJP vote bank, especially young voters, it is highly unlikely that it will be able to repeat the feat.”

Ulhasdada attributes the success of MNS to the government’s neglect of the Bhoomiputras (another term for sons of the soil). He is confident that the vote this time round will be for stability – something he feels only the Congress can fully assure.

This is how the major players are placed. The Shiv Sena-BJP alliance is so far intact; and though there is a tussle going on between the Congress and the NCP over seat sharing, it is only for the short-term. Both are aware that the Indian voter is tired of intra-party bickering, and that sense lies in projecting a united front.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

A good story gunned down by poor acting and filmmaking - "IIPM Press"

Two child stars India had showered a lot of love and praise on, Parzan Dastur (of “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”) and Ayesha Kapoor (of “Black”) return to the silver screen in “Sikandar.” Parzan plays the title character, a gawky orphan of 14 years, who lives with his aunt and uncle, seems to care only for football, and is bullied by three boys from the rival football team. He comes across a gun on the way to his school, which he picks up and uses to scare away the bullies. But thanks to the gun, he also gets embroiled in the games being played by the army, jihadis and religious heads. And before you know it, a terrorist (Arunoday Singh) trains him to shoot, and in return for a washing machine for his aunt, asks him to assassinate a politician (Sanjay Suri)! His friend Nasreen (Ayesha) stays by his side, and constantly counsels him to throw away the gun.

Not many filmmakers in India entrust children with the entire weight of the film, and though Piyush Jha’s effort is noble, Parzan and Ayesha are sadly not able to shoulder the burden well. Little time and effort is allowed to develop the other characters, and so while Madhavan is good as the intelligent officer, Arunoday is impressive for a newcomer, and Sanjay fits in his role too, there’s not much that has been asked of them. Jha’s effort in not taking sides, and showing the army also in not a very flattering shade, is commendable. And while the script has surprises and twists, the slow pace of the film pulls it down. The best part of the film is its cinematography, for once more we see Kashmir, in all breathtaking beauty and splendour.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

"IIPM News" - Jaswant singh - A tussle sans credibility

After Balraj Madhok, Uma Bharti and Kalyan Singh comes the latest oustee from BJP – Jaswant Singh. The others were shown the door for berating the party leadership. The Darjeeling MP got the boot for criticising a long-dead Congress leader. Ironically, the court was presided over by Advani, who was the first to call Jinnah secular.

Singh antagonised the Advani camp for demanding a link between parinaam and puraskar indirectly hitting out at chief poll strategist Arun Jaitley's promotion as the leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, succeeding Singh.

Singh not only escorted terrorists to Kandahar but also made unsubstantiated allegations in a book about a ‘mole’ in former PM Narasimha Rao’s office, not to mention providing an opium-laced drink to guests and distributing cash to voters. Thus, both Jaswant’s book and BJP’s action against him lack credibility.

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative