All Is Well!

Pramod somehow managed to make Internet Genie run at the high speed that was expected of him. Genie as usual started narrating a story. He started with a question, “Is really everything well with this world?” Pramod knew that if he uttered a word, Genie would slip out of his control and system will hang! So Pramod did not give any reply to the question asked.

As usual Genie kept on talking. Pramod, world over, we have ISIS, Terrorist of different ilk doing atrocious things!  Today, the muslim nations have come together and have decided to fight all the terrorists upfront.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/saudi-crown-prince-condemns-egypt-attack-at-meeting-of-islamic-military-coalition/story-LEupTN0M10pcub8j7OuWzN.html

Genie said that this is one the best news he has read in years! This news gave you a feel that “All is Well” in this world. Concept of “All is Well” in global context is different as such events happen occasionally. But “All is Well” can happen in our day to day life regularly. The combined events of these individuals or organizations give the feel that “All is really Well” in this world. These small and big contributions of individuals daily, make us think positively about our life.

Pramod, “All is Well” is a term coined based on song from a movie by the name “Three Idiots”. In this movie three college students are passing through their college hassles with happy face against many adversities, singing “All is Well”! Below is the video of the song.

Pramod yesterday, you reached home after dinner, with friends. In your parking slot, in the condo, you are required to reverse the car. A young kid, delivery guy for food items, was waiting for the lift (Elevator). As soon as you started reversing, the kid jumped and went behind the car! You wondered what he was doing! He started guiding you to reverse the car, as the area did not have good lighting. Pramod, you could have managed without his help as there  were proximity sensors in the car. But the kid was keen to help you, and you took his guidance to park the car! You, of course, thanked him for his help! Such small actions by unknown people really help you believe that “All is Well”.

Pramod while you were travelling from Zurich to Frankfurt, your train could not take a direct route as there was some issue with the tracks. You were required to take three breaks to change trains, to reach Frankfurt. At a very small station during this detour you found that it did not have escalators to change the platforms. In fact, after changing the platform, you were required to travel by bus for about 20 km. Pramod, you had two heavy bags and two bag packs and were worried how to reach the bus, going down and up the steps. Suddenly, a guy materialized from somewhere. He was wearing a uniform. Most probably he was a porter. He picked both the heavy bags and spoke something in German. You thought that he will charge you money for his services. Pramod, you were relieved that he was helping you, and you wanted to pay him. After crossing the platform and putting the bags on the bus, you asked him the charges. He knew a bit of English, and said, “No charges, Gratis!” This was a most unexpected response and the incident again proved that “All is Well!” Benefits of being  senior citizens?

Pramod, one sees many good Samaritans in this world, so you tend to think that there is  “All is Well” kind of situation in the world. But there are some bad elements. Yesterday a case was reported in Pune where a professional was recording the intimate scenes of his neighbour, a husband and wife,  using selfie stick. Outwardly that person was well behaved, passionate in his work, very helpful in nature! But he had some very bad streak within him! Currently he is missing. On the other side you see so many good citizens that your faith goes on the upswing! Some time back Mumbai had a flood like situation due to very heavy rains, there were good Samaritans on road who offered food, tea and some cases shelter for stranded people to spend the night at their home too!

Pramod, the ultimate act was by Policeman Ombale during 26/11 in Mumbai; his sacrifice helped the police to catch one of the terrorist alive though Ombale died. This shows that there are more good people in this world than bad people. Ombale’s act really shows that “All is well”

Pramod, I want your reply on this as I know you have strong views!! Pramod just could not keep quiet. He said, ” Genie, I am quite gung ho about our world where All is always well, though there are some major or minor negative events happening all the time. “All is Well” ledger is always in the black!”

With this statement Pramod broke the golden rule of silence that Genie had locked him in.  At that instant Genie slipped out of Pramod’s grasp, Genie’s speed became equivalent of 2 G and system hung!  Genie could not help but make a passing remark before escaping. ” Pramod, I am feeling ashamed of my 2 G speed when people are already talking of 5 G and 6 G, so I might be away for some time, ciao!”

 

Civilized behaviour of Oldest Civilization!

Pramod somehow managed to make Internet Genie run at the high speed that was expected of him. Genie as usual started narrating a story. He started with a question, “Pramod why do we Indians behave in different ways to real life situations?” Pramod knew that if he uttered a word, Genie would slip out of his control and system will hang! So Pramod did not give any reply to the question asked.

As usual Genie kept on talking. Pramod, I read in newspapers that a girl student in IIT, Chennai committed suicide. Pressures due to studies is one aspect. But this unfortunate event occurred after the girl was caught copying in the semester examination. The result, she was asked to leave examination hall and her parents were informed. The girl went to her hostel and committed suicide. Two things were to happen, she would have been debarred from exam for one semester and parents were to be informed! When she tried the copying, I am sure she must have known the consequences of getting caught. Pramod, why did the girl end her life? Insult? Repentance? But why end life?  She was just to lose one semester! She had an opportunity to make up for her error! Why copy? Why such a drastic reaction?

Some years back I remember a news item of students resorting to mass copying in Marathwada area, in Maharashtra. Pramod, if you see the photograph below, you will be amazed. The persons helping students to copy are climbing three to four stories from outside of a building. Shocking, to say the least! Are these people not afraid of the authorities? Are they not afraid of injuries? Apparently no! Later, the government took a stiff action and made district officials responsible to stop this. What is the reason for this mass copying? It appears that on passing tenth grade, these kids could get a government job as a peon or office assistant! Before the authorities became strict the passing % was 85 to 90 %. Now it is 45%! But was mass copying the solution?

In Mumbai, Afroze Shah decided to take up the cleanup drive of Versova beach but he is now forced to stop this due to apathy of Municipal corporation, threats by bad elements forcing volunteers to stop work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04OuaathdnI

Read about their work in the link below.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/this-lawyer-spearheaded-the-world-s-biggest-beach-clean-up-at-versova/story-E75vbhoKUJXSJECsIncYkK.html

Afroze Shah is a young 33-year-old lawyer from Mumbai and he just decided a couple of years back, “enough is enough”! He started a drive to clean the Versova beach. Through social media campaign. thousands of volunteers joined to take part in the drive. This is officially recognized by United Nations as a great cleanup drive! The volunteers recently were threatened by bad elements in the society. The latest news is that Shiv Sena has fully supported Shah and has told him that they will talk to police and  corporation. There will be Shiv Sena volunteers to protect the people. Let us hope this works out. Here is one-man army who brought together thousands of people to stand in ankle deep muck, to clean the beach every week end. Why there is so much apathy from Government agencies? How are bad elements troubled by this activity? Let us hope the drive continues!

There was a drive against encroachers of public space. The hawkers were removed from these areas. After eight days same drive was done again, and this time hawkers attacked the officials! It is our right to earn livelihood, they said! But what about right of other people for free space! Hawkers were doing illegal things and wanted space free, for themselves, instead of going to hawker’s zone! On top of that they attacked the officials. What sort of thinking is this? Why do political parties support illegal activities?

Pramod, I want your reply on various points, as I know that you have strong views!! Pramod just could not keep quiet. He said, “Genie, copying during exams is such an unfortunate practice that these kids do not understand that passing exams is not the end but the means of achieving one’s goal in life!  Ok, you make a mistake but killing oneself is not the solution, one can repent and correct the error! In case of beach cleaning, I simply do not have answers! What to bad elements achieve by threatening the volunteers?  Government apathy? Tell me something new!  Hawkers probably are learning from Mallya’s and Subroto Roy’s of this world, how to make money by cheating?”

With this statement Pramod broke the golden rule of silence that Genie had locked him in.  At that instant Genie slipped out of Pramod’s grasp, Genie’s speed became equivalent of 2 G and system hung!  Genie could not help but make a passing remark before escaping. ” Pramod, there is not much space here, otherwise I could have given you hundreds of such examples from oldest “civilization” on the earth!”

 

When things get tough…

Pramod somehow caught hold of Genie, managed to make Genie run at the high speed that was expected of him. Genie as usual started narrating a story. He started with a question, “Pramod, how do you feel is the life of an artist? What do you think keeps the artist going? What drives the artists to pursue their art?” Pramod knew that if he uttered a word, Genie would slip out of his control and system will hang! So Pramod did not give any reply to the question asked.

As usual, Genie kept on talking. Pramod, you must be wondering why I am asking you about artists! Ok let us be honest, you are not one, but you are now a closet blogger and blogging is like what artists do. You write your blogs as an individual, publish them and hope that your readers will like them, readers criticize them, disagree with you. When you started writing, you had only three readers, your family. Slowly your frequency of writing increased, you started getting a few more readers. Then during last few months, the “hits” started increasing because your frequency of writing increased, and the blog spread also increased. It took you about 4 years of consistent writing, to reach reasonable hits. Pramod, your livelihood is not dependent on this activity, so it hardly mattered to you whether people read your blog or not! You will continue writing blogs as and when you want as there are no deadlines.

But what about new singers, painters, sculptors and many such people who start their careers and hope that their art reaches a lot of people. How many of these people even reasonably succeed as full timers? They struggle every day not only with success but in making money! Doctors and engineers who work independently also have similar issues, but they can take up some job. But they don’t have to struggle on day to day basis! Where will artists get jobs? Musicians may get but singers, dancers, sculptors they must be on their own. Their work gets tested every day, criticized every day, and they are sure not whether their effort will be commercially succeed! The group of people who can use their talent is quite limited and competition these days is tough. Pramod, I heard that a Picasso painting got sold for US $ 450/ million. What did Picasso earn in his life time?

Hindi film industry music now is a big business. But with so many artists are trying their luck, there is tremendous competition. Top singers like Sonu Nigam, Shaan, Abhijeet have formally said that they are currently not being offered many songs. Same is the case with Kumar Sanu! There are many singers who are one or two film wonders and they are inexpensive! Pramod, you will be shocked when you hear this story. One artist was almost begging to a music director to allow him to sing in a movie and somehow managed to handover his cd. When the music director heard the song later, he found out that the singer was award winning singer for best song, the previous year. After that song, singer did not get any assignments.

There is one more shocking story, Pramod, about lack of control of artists on their earnings! Famous Hindi song “कजरा रे” was sold by a cell phone company for download as caller tune. The total business for this one song was Rs.16000/ crores, almost 2.8/ Billion US $! They shared the money 50:50 with music company. How much did the lyricist, singers, music directors get? Zilch! This one song could have made many artists millionaires! This movie was released in 2005, now it 2017! There is legal action going on. Pramod, I am not sure if they will get their money in their life time.

But what keeps these artists going? Passion! And secondly “No Option”! Pramod, in their passion I am sure, artists did not get trained to do anything else, other than their art! There are few people like M F Hussain and Lata/Asha sisters who were commercially successful ; there must have many equally good artists who did not become commercially successful. The artists mentioned above have also been successful but at a very young age they are “out marketed” by competition!

Pramod, I want your reply on this as I know you have strong views!! Pramod just could not keep quiet. He said, “Genie, there is no substitute to passion! I get a feeling that many great things in this world are done purely due to passion. If Steve Jobs did not have passion there would not have been Apple. Without passion there would be no Federer or a Tendulkar. Passion has driven social workers like Baba Amte and Maharshi Karve. Artists and individuals who work only with passion are the real creators in this world! This inherent toughness in them keeps them going in tough times. ”

With this statement Pramod broke the golden rule of silence that Genie had locked him in.  At that instant Genie slipped out of Pramod’s grasp, Genie’s speed became equivalent of 2 G and system hung!  Genie could not help but make a passing remark before escaping. “Pramod, I agree with you. But what is the reason in you to have this passion for blogging?”

Digital Numero Uno!

                                                                  

Pramod somehow caught hold of Genie, managed to make Genie run at the high speed that was expected of him. Genie as usual started narrating a story. He started with a question, “Pramod, you always claim that you know a few things in digital world. Tell me who is going to be the Numero Uno (the best or most important country) in day to day digital transactions? US of A, China (中国), Japan (日本) or Good old India?” Pramod knew that if he uttered a word, Genie would slip out of his control and system will hang! So Pramod did not give any reply to the question asked.

As usual, Genie kept on talking. Genie said, Pramod now that we have had a decade and half of digital revolution (a la Industrial Revolution) who do you think will be the leader by 2030 in day to day transactions! Even as early as in next five/ six years the clear winner maybe seen; do you want to say something about it, Pramod? Genie was hoping to trap Pramod into talking but Pramod just smiled. Genie as usual kept on blabbering.

Pramod, I feel it is going to be India! Come on, don’t believe in me. Let me share some information with you. Last year along with demonetization, Indian Government started digitalization drive. This gave impetus to digital way of doing transactions and payments. Even some small time vegetable vendors, fruit merchants started accepting money in new format. You obviously don’t go to market with your laptop, so the obvious solution was using cell phones. Suddenly, many apps started coming into picture. I am giving you information based data available today.

There are two methods of transferring money from A to B. Bank to bank transfer (the best method for this is created by Government is known as UPI, (Unified Payment Interface) and Wallets by private parties and banks. Basic difference is that in UPI your money remains with you in your bank account till you transfer it. Whereas in Wallets, you have to transfer the money in Wallets from you bank account for further use.

Let me start with UPI; Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is an instant real-time payment system developed by National Payments Corporation of India facilitating inter-bank transactions. The interface is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India and works by instantly transferring funds between two bank accounts on a mobile platform.

“UPI is built over Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) for transferring funds. Being a digital payment system, it is available 24*7 and across public holidays. It uses Virtual Payment Address (a unique ID provided by the bank), Account Number with IFS Code, Mobile Number with MMID (Mobile Money Identifier), Aadhaar Number, or a one-time use Virtual ID. An MPIN (Mobile banking Personal Identification number) is required to confirm each payment.”

Pramod, many banks are now using UPI but again the Government is also equally serious and has come up with an App called BHIM. BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) is a mobile app developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), based on the Unified Payment Interface (UPI). The app supports all Indian banks which use that platform.

All banks have their own apps but Pramod you will realize that it is a seriously big business and Google has jumped into fray  with an App called TEZ (fast and furious!) based on UPI. It cannot get any more serious than Google making app only for India.

Pramod, Wallet is another option which transfers money in two ways. One is Wallet to Wallet and second is Wallet to bank. Wallet to Wallet transactions have the limitation that both parties should have same Wallet. Wallet to bank is a normal transaction. But how does money come in the Wallet in the first place? It come through credit cards and through Bank transfers! Wallets have started using UPI too! Wallets are apps by private companies like PayTm which is currently the most famous amongst the wallets.

Pramod, which one will you prefer? Many banks have their own apps. BHIM UPI has ease of use as your account can be from any bank, your UPI id can be 1234567890@upi where digits are your cell number! Easy, isn’t it? Current authentications are MPIN number, but this authentication can be easily replaced by biometric authentication? Aadhar anyone? Of course!  In Wallets I will currently prefer PayTm. It is backed by Alibaba in a big way, so theoretically should be around for a long time. It has facility for UPI too! Another interesting feature they have started is Chat! While chatting with someone you can get or transfer some money from the Partner. Another reason it is my favourite is that Uber account is linked to it and for extensive user like me, money gets automatically debited to PayTm!

Pramod, don’t you think that entry of Jio in cell phone service providers is a game changer? Their low-cost cell phones are offering most facilities provided by expensive cell phones; this  will also play a major role in proliferation of digital transactions. Credit cards are looked at by many as elite tool; so for users who do not spend large amount in month, credit period offered by card companies is of no use. So, cell phone is going to be Swiss Army Knife for us. Capable of doing everything and anything. Making calls, taking photos, chatting, video calls, financial transactions, sharing photos, chats, GPS the list is unending! Pramod, do you think that after say about ten years credit & debit cards will be relevant? Debit/Credit  card needs investment from vendors but UPI and Wallets don’t need to have swiping machines!

 

Pramod, I want your reply on this as I know you have strong views! Pramod tried his best not to talk but Genie hustled him again with the same question! Pramod just could not keep quiet. He said, “Genie, with one billion cell phones and one billion biometrics data in the from Aadhar (which is the best authentication method), it is no brainer to say that India will be Numero Uno in day to day digital transactions over next ten yeas”

With this statement Pramod broke the golden rule of silence that Genie had locked him in.  At that instant Genie slipped out of Pramod’s grasp, Genie’s speed became equivalent of 2 G and system hung!  Genie could not help but make a passing remark before escaping. “Pramod my gut feeling tells me that it will be five years and not TEN!”

 

Old or pragmatic!

                       

Pramod somehow caught hold of Genie, managed to make Genie run at the high speed that was expected of him. Genie as usual started narrating a story. He started with a question, “Pramod, tell me if there is something like appropriate dress or apparel?” Pramod knew that if he uttered a word, Genie would slip out of his control and system will hang! So Pramod did not give any reply to the question asked.

As usual, Genie kept on talking. Genie said, Pramod you travel a lot, you still work and go for business meetings, you move around in various cities. What is the clothing that you would generally wear? What is the clothing you would expect others to wear? Don’t forget the freedom of speech, women’s liberation and such important aspects in life. Pramod smiled but Genie said “Ok, I know freedom and responsibility must go hand in hand!”

Yesterday, Pramod I saw a bemused look on your face when you were waiting for someone at The Tata Motors security hall. Many folks were coming for only one purpose, business meetings at their own different levels. Some senior folks were wearing jackets, some were wearing formal shirt and trousers. Then you saw some young brigade coming in, obviously for business meetings! Some young men were seen with one or two days of stubble, wearing sports shoes! Some were wearing jeans! You saw some young girls coming for the meetings. All of them were wearing jeans and blouses. One girl wore a tank-top! Blouse colors were deep red or purple! What was shocking for you Pramod? At least they did not arrive in T shirts and Bermuda’s! Ok so what if they were not wearing a formal attire. As you went inside, you checked up with your friends from the age group below 40 years and some seniors; they unanimously were of the opinion that these young folks should have been wearing formal clothes.

Pramod I want to understand what do you earthlings mean by proper clothes! Does it mean that the clothes should be appropriate to suit the occasion? Does it mean that it is ok to wear bikinis, and Bermuda’s if you go on the beach? What happens if an oldie like you prefers to wear shirt and a trouser on the beach? Do you mean to say it is Ok to be a little overdressed?  What according to you should be the dress code for film industry? What should be the dress code for teachers? What about doctors? Would you like to be examined by a doctor who has as stubble and is wearing Bermuda’s? Pramod again you are smiling! I know how you feel? It is ok if the doctor was urgently dragged in while he/she was holidaying somewhere.

Let us take another look at the young men and women, mentioned above, at Tata Motors security hall. Pramod was it not the responsibility of the organizations who had employed them to tell them about the dress codes? What were their bosses doing? When a person is sent to represent an organization, person should follow basic business norms. Pramod once you had told me story about your son Sachin. He was a Vice President for a company in Boston, they used to have Friday as casual day. All could go in tee shirts and shorts and jeans! But Sachin had kept one formal dress with a jacket and tie in the office. This was for the eventuality if a customer came to see him on a Friday, without pre-intimation, he would be ready formally to receive the customer! Similarly, you had also shared with me story of a 20 something girl with her boyfriend, moving around at Dadar railway station in Mumbai. Time was 10 pm. Her clothes were really scanty! The place where you were standing, there were many 18/20-year cab drivers, who had freshly arrived from small towns. The look on their face told the whole story. Now what was the need for that girl to dress or undress in scanty clothing on a railway station?

Pramod, I want your reply on this as I know you have strong views! Pramod tried his best not to talk but Genie hustled him again with the same question! Pramod just could not keep quiet. He said, “Genie, Clothing was created to cover oneself! Otherwise fig leaf was already there! I strongly feel that appropriate clothing should be worn as demanded or allowed by occasion! Sometimes  I am not sure if I have become old or I am too pragmatic”

                                                               

With this statement Pramod broke the golden rule of silence that Genie had locked him in.  At that instant Genie slipped out of Pramod’s grasp, Genie’s speed became equivalent of 2 G and system hung!  Genie could not help but make a passing remark before escaping. “Pramod for a change I agree with you instantly but you have left me with no choice, ciao!”