managedhomz

[managedhomz]

Anurag Kashyap and other BollywoodWallahs question bid to ban films with Pakistan actors

To Anurag Kashyap,

Anurag Kashyap is supposed to be an “intelligent director” because he makes hard-hitting films or hatke movies. Well, that’s a choice best left to the viewers. However, he just raised his opinion about whether to ban or not to ban Pakistani actors. Of course, in a democratic and free society, he has every right to raise his voice. But before raising his voice, did he think twice? Consider this:

Anurag Sharma lives in posh locality of Mumbai and directs and produces Bollywood movies. Anurag Sharma is happily married. He has 4 kids. Bunty Verma also lives in the same society and he is also married and has 3 kids.

Despite the name and fame, Anurag Sharma is very humble and polite man. He has raised his kids in similar fashion. They go to school, play a little, do their homework, and live a peaceful life.

However, Bunty Verma and his kids are little more rowdy. One of the sons of Bunty Verma is also in the same class as one of the sons of Anurag Sharma. And this son of Bunty Verma is constantly bullying Anurag Sharma’s son. Anurag Sharma’s family ignores it and sometimes just complains to Bunty Verma about the bullying behavior of his son. But nothing changes on ground and bullying continues.

One fine day in a football match, Bunty Verma’s son intentionally hit Anurag Sharma’s son. Anurag Sharma’s son gets critically injured and is rushed to hospital. Somehow Doctors are able to save him. And after a month of recuperation, Anurag Sharma’s son is fit again and starts to go to school.

Will Anurag Sharma’ son ever talk to Bunty Verma’s son? Will Anurag Sharma’s entire family ever talk to Bunty Verma’s family? Well, Anurag Sharma and his family decided to completely block Bunty Verma and his rogue family. I guess, everyone would have done the same in this given situation.

However, if Bunty Verma and his kids mend their ways and behave in a civilized way, then, there is a possibility that families may start talking again. But till such time, no way…

Mr. Anurag Kashyap and other Bollywood wallahs, what would you have done in such a situation? Look forward to your response.

Kind Regards

[managedhomz]

Joint family is an idea which is past its sell-by date

Britain decided to leave the European Union. Everyone is talking about it. My Grand Mother asked what is Brexit?? And this is how I explained to her...

Once upon a time, there was a man who had 28 sons. All his sons were married. All the 28 sons had children. Some of them had more children than others. The man was affectionately called GrandPa by his 28 sons as well as by his grand children. In all, it was a large family, very large. It had its benefits as well as shortcomings.

 GrandPa always wanted that his large family live together. However, it was not possible because of the sheer size of the family. And who will manage such a large family?

 Therefore GrandPa made a proposal that even though each of his son’s family will live in their own individual house, but, they will be free to move to anyone’s house, deal with other families in the town as one single large family, attend functions, help financially, share knowledge, share resources, etc. etc.

 GrandPa wanted to do this because he always believed that a large united family can survive much better than individual families. The large united family can also take on external pressures rather easily. The large united family will grow more prosperous in times to come.

 Based on GrandPa’s vision for the large united family, all 28 sons agreed.

 However, all 28 sons did not possess the same income. Some of the sons were extremely rich, some were rather poor.  Some of the sons were able to fulfill all the wishes of their wife and children, while other sons could not fulfill all the wishes of their wife and children.

The wives and children of not so wealthy sons always cribbed about wealthy sons. “Look at your brother, he is doing so well and fulfilling all the wishes of his wife and children. And you, you are doing nothing for us. On top of that, your wealthy brothers always lecture us on living on budget and controlling our spending. This is not fair”.

But large united family survived despite difference of opinions. The wealthy sons were always able to help their not so wealthy brothers in the times of crisis. It’s a promise that they have given to the GrandPa. But wealthy sons always helped their not so wealthy brothers on 2 conditions. One, they would work hard to earn more. Two, they will control their spending. The wives and children of not so wealthy sons protested on the imposition of these 2 conditions saying when your wealthy brothers can have fun in life, why can’t we??  There was always a cacophony in the houses of not so wealthy sons.

GrandPa interfered and tried his best to resolve the issues. But now, wives and children of not so wealthy sons started pointing fingers at the GrandPa himself saying “You are the reason for our sufferings. Without you and this large family, we can do whatever we want to do. We can start talking to other families in the town on our own and establish relationships with other families that help us. But we cannot do this because according to you we shall present ourselves as one large family”.

At the same time, wives and children of wealthy sons also started raising questions. Why are you helping your lazy brothers? Why are you supporting your lazy brothers when they do not want to work hard? Why are you giving them money when they cannot control their budgets?

But wealthy sons still tried to keep the large family united because it was a promise that they had given to GrandPa. And at the same time, it helped wealthy sons in their dealings with other families in the town.

However, something had to give in. How long it could have continued? One of the wealthy sons broke away from the large family on the insistence of his wife and children. He had enough of his lazy and not so wealthy brothers. He had enough of the fact that his lazy brothers kept on sending their children to his house. He had enough of providing financial assistance to his lazy and not so wealthy brothers. He had enough of the slow decision making process of the large family with other families in the town. He had enough of the idea of large united family…he informed GrandPa and with heavy heart GrandPa accepted.

Will other sons follow the same path??

Looks likely…

 Well, I was explaining the European Union situation to my Grand Mother. She replied in Hindi “aaj kal kon rehan chahta hai ek doosre ke saath (These days, who wants to live with one another)”.

 Just replace the followings and of course, add a layer or two of sophistication to the EU Situation.

GrandPa – European Union (EU)

28 Sons – Ruling Governments in 28 EU Countries

Wives – Oppositions parties in each of these 28 countries

Children – Public in each of these 28 countries

Town – Entire Globe

[managedhomz]

And We Thought Indians Are Mostly Vegetarians

A recent survey by Registrar General of India 2014 busts the myth that India is largely a vegetarian country.

However, what is even more astonishing or eye opening is the fact that southern states are predominantly non-vegetarian. We all thought that Southern states in India are predominantly vegetarian and states in Northern part especially the butter chicken loving Delhi and Punjab will top the list of non-vegetarian states in the country.  Sad to say, our perceptions have been proved wrong by these facts presented in the Registrar General of India survey...phew…

Northern states such as Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat are vegetarian states with more than 50% of people living on strict vegetarian diet.

Southern states such as Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha are largely non-vegetarian or meat loving states with more than 90% of people consuming meat every now and then.

As a layman living in India or for that matter foreigners visiting India, we all thought of India as a vegetarian society. Just visit any local restaurant in North or Southern India and all one finds is the variety of vegetarian cuisine. Masala Dosa, Uttapam, Idli vada, sambhar, rice, etc are standard items in south Indian cuisine. On the other hand Roti, Lentils, variety of Vegetable curries, etc are standard items in north Indian cuisine.

So, what could be the reasons for Southern states being largely non-vegetarian states?

They eat once in a while for protein intake

It could be possible that people in southern states do not consume meat every day. Well, it seems people in southern states largely consume meat once in a while for protein intake.

Meat means mostly fish

Since southern states have large coastline, therefore, consuming fish is a natural choice. What else can explain such high percentage of people eating meat in southern India?

What else?

What could be other reasons for southern states being largely non-vegetarian? Comments from readers are welcome.

  Curious case of Punjab :)

What’s happening in Punjab? We all thought of Punjab as a chicken loving society. On the contrary 66.75% of people living in Punjab are Vegetarians. How on earth did they invent such delicious chicken recipes then? :)

However, one thing that needs special mention is the fact that vegetarianism is on the rise in India. Percentage of non-vegetarian people in the country has dropped from 75% in 2004 to 71% in 2014.

At the same time, among all other countries in the world, India still tops the list of being a Vegetarian country with 29% of its population living on Vegetarian diet.

Please Share if you liked the story...

[managedhomz]

Can we ever live on Mars?

Countries such as USA, India, Russia, China, Europe, Japan have already sent 44 rockets to the planet Mars. Is there any sign of life on Planet Mars?

Space exploration has fascinated each one of us since childhood days. Looking at the sky in night and appreciating all the stars and reading about various galaxies, solar systems, Milky Way, etc. took our imagination to new levels.

We have reached moon. And countries such as USA, Russia, China, India, Europe, Japan have already sent 44 rockets to the planet Mars. Only about a third of the missions to Mars have been successful.

Will mankind ever land on mars? Is there any sign of life on Mars? Can we colonize Mars? How long is it going to take?  

Watch this TED talk by Stephen Petranek in which he explains how your kids might live on Mars. Here's how they'll survive:

[managedhomz]

To be an entrepreneur, be a mother...

On this Mother’s day, Learn from your Mother to be a successful entrepreneur....

[managedhomz]

Can Leicester City sustain their Success? No and this is Why…

The success of Leicester City in 2015-16 English Premier League will end up becoming a flash in the pan unless they draw in resources just like Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City have done.

Can Leicester City sustain their Success? No and this is Why… Create your own infographics

Leicester City was ranked 14th in English Premier League in 2014-15 season. They won 11 matches, lost 19, and drew 8 matches. It was their 110th season in English Football League system and 47th in the top tier of English Football. Prior to the 2014-15 season, they had played in second tier of English Football for 10 years. From not playing in the top tier of English Football for 10 years to standing 14th in 2014-15 season was a worthy achievement.

However, something was amiss. The club was desperate to move forward. Jon Rudkin, Leicester City’s director of football and his team were planning for the new season.  Claudio Ranieri was appointed as the Manager. 3 more support staffs were added to the management team. And the momentum from the 2014-15 season was carried into the 2015-16 season. And rest as they is history.

Leicester City’s success under Claudio Ranieri will go down as one of greatest glory in sport. The club with meager resources pulled up the unthinkable. For almost 2 decades, English Premier League has been dominated by the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City. And all these clubs are heavyweight clubs when it comes to resources. In this context, Leicester City’s success is even more heartening and proving the point that success cannot always be bought.

However, can they sustain it? Past results prove that sustaining the success requires large resources. In his own words, Ranieri suggested a surprise title winner only comes along roughly once every 20 years, pointing to the examples of Nottingham Forest in 1978 and Blackburn Rovers in 1995.

Therefore, let’s celebrate the underdog’s success but keep in mind success can be sustained for a long period of time with resources. And let’s hope with this success, Leicester city is able to draw in more resources to their club.

[managedhomz]

What makes you happy? What is the idea of a good life?

Is this Fame?

Or

Is this Money?

Or

Something Else?

Watch this video in which Robert Waldinger with access to 75 years of research talks about happiness and satisfaction. What makes you happy? What makes you miserable? Here is the first of its kind study on people’s happiness and satisfaction.

[managedhomz]

Why Indian media is so obsessed about Pakistan?

Dear Indian Media,

This is to ask you a simple question. Why are you so obsessed about Pakistan? Everyday there is at least one story on Pakistan. Pakistan did this, Pakistan did that. Foreign secretary level talks are now on and on some days talks are off. I mean, we don’t understand why such coverage is given to one particular country. Irrespective of the Government of the day at center, media is always speculating with round table debates on national channels and print media covering Pakistan with equal alacrity.

Is it because Pakistan is our neighbor? If yes, then, why don’t you cover Bangladesh with same zeal as you cover Pakistan? Pakistan’s population is almost 200 million whereas Bangladesh’s population is almost 170 million. Pakistan’s nominal GDP is 271 billion US$ whereas Bangladesh’s nominal GDP is 205 billion US$. They are almost the same size.

Or is it because we have a long history with Pakistan? But then again, we have a long history with Bangladesh, Nepal, SriLanka, etc. however, not much obsession with these countries.

Or is it because of security threats? But then, progress is being made by successive governments to make our borders more robust and hopefully security threats can be minimized.

Why so much importance is given to talks with Pakistan? India is moving forward with economic agenda and our nominal GDP is almost 8 times that of Pakistan. India has made progress on many fronts and hopefully in a decade or two we will overcome other challenges that confront us.

But, will Indian media still continue to be obsessed with Pakistan? Who is setting this agenda of obsession with Pakistan? Is it the government or the media itself? Because make no mistake, public has moved on except on cricket days.

Look to hear from you.

 Thanks and Regards

Common Indian Public

[managedhomz]

5 posts!

[managedhomz]

Did you visit all 32 World Heritage Sites in India? Here is a Map based View. Bookmark for your Future reference. Share with friends and plan to visit in group and cherish India’s cultural and natural diversity.

Have you seen India? Think again! India is a land rich in cultural and natural places. As per UNESCO data, there are 32 World Heritage Sites in India. 25 of these sites are cultural sites and 7 are natural sites. Here is a map based view.

Or

Click on the below image to view in Larger View

Did you know that April 18 is a world heritage day? It’s a day when world’s built cultural heritage is celebrated. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization or UNESCO passed the resolution in 1983 to establish 18 April as the World Heritage Day by celebrating heritage monuments and sites across the world.

What is a World Heritage site?

A World Heritage Site as defined by the UNESCO is a place including a monument, building, complex, city, desert, lake, forest, mountain, or an island. This heritage site is considered to be of special physical or cultural significance to humanity.

How many World Heritage Sites are there in total?

As of July 2015, there were 1031 heritage sites across the world. Out of which 802 are cultural sites, 197 are natural sites, and 32 are mixed sites. These 1031 heritage sites are located in 163 states parties.

Which are the countries with most number of World Heritage Sites?

Italy – 51 world heritage sites (47 cultural and 4 natural)

China – 48 world heritage sites (34 cultural, 10 natural, and 4 mixed sites)

Spain – 44 world heritage sites (39 cultural, 3 natural, and 2 mixed sites)

France – 41 world heritage sites (37 cultural, 3 natural, and 1 mixed site)

Germany – 40 world heritage sites (37 cultural and 3 natural)

Mexico – 33 world heritage sites (27 cultural, 5 natural, and 1 mixed site)

India – 32 world heritage sites (25 cultural and 7 natural sites)

 What is the significance of World Heritage Day?

It is a day that aims at raising public awareness about the world’s diversity in cultural, natural, and mixed sites. It is a day that also brings attention to the efforts that are required to preserve and protect world’s heritage.

[managedhomz]

On this Earth Day, story of ‘Jadav Payeng’, the Forest Man of India

Jadav Payeng single handedly had planted an entire forest of 1360 acres (550 hectares) to save his island called ‘Majuli’ in Assam.

  April 22 is celebrated as Earth Day. And today, April 22 2016, 160 countries will officially sign the Paris Climate agreement. Ambitious target of keeping the global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius has been set.

First Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 in order to create awareness about environment and encourage people to be more environmentally friendly.

Earth Day Organizers are taking 2016 Earth Day celebration as an opportunity to plant 7.8 billion trees, make cities 100% renewable, and reduce the use of fossil fuels.

However, one man in India started this movement way back in 1979. Jadav Payeng single handedly had planted an entire forest of 1360 acres (550 hectares) to save his island called ‘Majuli’ in Assam. Watch his journey and how he saved not only his island but at the same time nurtured the growth of reptiles, birds, and other animals.

[managedhomz]

Is Surge Pricing by Ola and Uber Correct? Is AAP right in capping the Prices? What do you think?

The debate on surge pricing by taxi aggregator apps such as Ola and Uber is gathering momentum. Since the launch of Odd even scheme in Delhi from April 15 2016, the debate on surge pricing has gathered further ammunition.

On one hand, there are taxi aggregator apps that are defending their pricing strategy citing free market principles. While on another hand, there are sections of society and policy makers particularly Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) that are against surge pricing terming it as robbery.

Last night, 20 April 2016, a popular NDTV show ‘Left, Right, and Center’ discussed this issue. The participants were from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Meru cab which is a traditional Car rental company, Surjit Bhalla who is an economist, and 2 more guests. AAP, Meru Cab representative, and one more guest were against surge pricing and wanted the prices to be capped. Surjit bhalla and another guest supported free market principles and wanted the government to stay away from this and let the market decide by itself.

Both the groups are right in their own sense; however, both these groups are missing on one key point. This key point if attacked properly can solve the problem of surge pricing as well as alleged monopolistic approach by Taxi aggregators.

And that Key Point lies in the definition of Taxi aggregator apps itself:

What are these Taxi aggregator apps? As the name suggests, these aggregators aggregate the taxies on one common platform and connect drivers with taxi seekers via the use of a mobile app. And for providing this service/platform to drivers and taxi seekers, they charge a commission for every ride.

Now, let’s take an example:

Sumit Sharma takes a taxi from Lodhi Road to Delhi International Airport using the Taxi Aggregator app. The distance from Lodhi road to Delhi International airport is approximately 15 kilometers. A traditional car rental company which owns the fleet of cars will charge Sumit approximately Rs 483 (first 3 kilometers at Rs 69 and thereafter Rs 23 per kilometer). However, the taxi aggregator apps allow Sumit to book a taxi on app and the net bill is under Rs 200 during normal hours. No point for guessing, Sumit will choose the taxi aggregators. However, during peak hours, Taxi aggregator apps will charge Sumit 5-6-or multiple times the amount that they charge during normal hours. And they inform Sumit about peak hours and its Sumit’s choice whether to take it or not.

Now, let’s analyze the charges:

How do Taxi aggregator apps charge Sumit under Rs 200, whereas, the traditional car rental company is charging upward of Rs 450? This is where we need to pay attention. A Taxi aggregator company does not own the cars, and therefore, to attract drivers to their platform they offer these drivers additional money from their own pockets. They also offer discounted rides to customers. So, they are losing money on both input and output sides.

However, by the definition of taxi aggregators, they should have charged a certain percentage of the ride and rest remains with the driver. Let’s assume taxi aggregator charges 10% for every ride. Therefore in case of Sumit,

Sumit pays Rs 200 for the ride

Taxi Aggregator’s commission would be = Rs 200 x 10% = Rs 20

Driver’s income would be = Rs 200 x 90% = Rs 180

However, Taxi aggregator apps are paying driver from their own pockets. While at the same time they are offering discounted rides to customers like Sumit during normal hours.

In addition to Rs 180 that a driver earns from the ride, the driver is also getting Rs 100 or more from taxi aggregators. Why are taxi aggregators doing this? They are doing this to attract as many drivers and taxi seekers as possible to their platform. Where are they getting this money from? They are getting this money from venture capital funds. We will discuss the philosophy of Venture Capital funds in another article.

Now, why on earth a driver or for that matter a taxi seeker choose traditional car rental company? Obviously no, they will not choose the traditional car rental company. Therefore, the aggregators have an approach that would end up in eliminating traditional car rental companies from the market. Is it good for the market? Obviously no, it’s terrible. Because once the competition from traditional car rental is subdued, the aggregators will flex their muscles and charge customers the normal pricing which would be equivalent to Rs 483 in case of Sumit. And at the same time, they will stop subsidizing the drivers.

So, what can regulatory bodies do?

They should simply make regulations. But not the bad regulations as suggested by the Aam Aadmi Party. Rather than capping the prices or the output side, they should regulate the input side.

Input side in Taxi business is the large pool of drivers. And all the participants including the taxi aggregators as well as traditional car rental companies shall have equal access to drivers. Taxi aggregators shall not be allowed to subsidize drivers or in other words under no circumstances taxi aggregators shall give money to drivers from their own pockets. This will create equal competition among taxi aggregators and traditional car rental companies.

Once the input side is settled, a taxi aggregator, by its definition will keep the 10% of commission irrespective of the normal hours or peak hours. In case of Sumit during normal hours

Sumit pays Rs 200 for the ride

Taxi aggregator keeps Rs 20 as commission

Driver gets Rs 180 for the ride.

In case Sumit uses the services of taxi aggregators during peak hours

Assuming Sumit pays Rs 1200 for the ride

Taxi aggregator (at 10% commission) keeps Rs 120

Driver gets Rs 1080 for the ride.

Output side (which is the pricing side) is decided by Sumit and the Taxi Company. And Sumit may choose the traditional car company or taxi aggregator depending on availability and pricing. That’s Sumit’s choice and Government or Regulatory bodies shall stay away from the output side. It’s like a customer paying Rs 4000 for a room in a 5 star hotel during off season and Rs 15000 for the same room in peak season. It’s decided by the market forces.

Government bodies need to regulate the input side. Driver pool shall be equally accessible to all with no external stimuli. We repeat, Input side in Taxi business is the large pool of drivers.

This is what we have seen in case of 2G spectrum and Coal mines. Earlier, they were distributed on first come first serve basis and that led to massive problems and corruption. However, now, all the natural resources are auctioned. We would be better advised to learn from that.

Correct or Regulate the Input side and leave the Output side to free market principles (competition).

What’s your take on it??

[managedhomz]

Baalbek monument in Lebanon had Indian connection. Did your history books ever teach you that?

Nowhere in our history books had we ever read about Phoenician temple in Lebanon. Nowhere in our history books had we learn about Indian sculptors, workers, yogis, elephants who all went to Lebanon and built this masterpiece called as Baalbek monument in Lebanon.

It’s a massive monument which is located on a hill in Beqaa valley in Lebanon. Beqaa is located approximately 30 kilometers east of Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon.

The construction of the Baalbek temple as they are popularly known was started by Phoenicians some 4300 years ago. Greeks, Romans, and Arabs then added to it. However, as per the local legend, the temple was originally built by ‘People from East’.

Watch the video in which Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev explains how Indian technicians, workers, sculptors, yogis built the famous temple in Lebanon. Watch his explanation of stone lotuses which are sculpted on the ceilings of temple at a time when people in Lebanon had never seen a lotus. Or the point which explains how the workers transported the granite stones from Egypt to all the way to Baalbek. Watch the video and get a sense of depth of Indian culture and the prowess of Indians thousands of years ago. Sadly, our history books had missed these points…

[managedhomz]

I am the master of my failure, if I never fail, how am I going to learn?

Why are people afraid of failure? How can it be overcome? Find out more in ‘The unexpected benefit of celebrating failure‘ by Astro Teller...

Reading time: Less than a minute

Thomas Edison said, I did not fail, I just discovered 1000 ways that won’t work.

Nobel laureate and Bharat Ratna Dr C. V. Raman, who discovered the phenomenon of changes in wavelength of deflected light when it traverses a transparent material, said “I am the master of my failure, if I never fail, how am I going to learn?”

So why do people feel afraid of working on risky projects and failure? Being audacious and working on big risky things makes people inherently uncomfortable. You cannot ask people to fail fast. People resist. They worry, what will happen to me if I fail? Will I be fired? Will others laugh at me?

Astro Teller in this video explains how they encourage people to take on big risky projects and fail. The only way to make people work on big audacious ideas is to make them realize that this is the path to least resistance. As soon as there is evidence on table that idea is not working, kill it and get rewarded. They get applause, hugs, high fives, promotion, for taking up risky projects. Enthusiastic skepticism is not the enemy of boundless optimism. It’s optimism’s perfect partner. Watch the video and get inspired.

Original video appeared on Ted.com