TArTAr

One of the most respected business conglomerate in this country is embroiled in a bitter battle at the very top. Accusations and counter allegations between Ratan Tata and Cyrus Mistry is flying thick and fast. Cyrus's ignominious exit from the chairmanship of the group (under dubious circumstances) has now spilled in a turf war on the boards of TATA group companies. All this points to one thing - the sparkling white image of the TATA's is now stained beyond repair...TATA has become TARTAR. The public spat has become a sorry tale of one upmanship of Ratan Tata who was long expected to ride in the sunset. His prodigy was non other than a clansman ( parsi) who was anointed after much fanfare (global executive search is what the TATA's would like to call it).

Then

Now

 

Like Tartar (dental terminology for yellow color on Teeth) this unsavory spat threatens to tarnish the image of Tata with sordid allegations of mismanagement, misappropriation, dismantling of organizational structure, betrayal etc.

Cauvery Water Dispute: Heart of the Matter

The Cauvery Water Dispute has been a subject of extensive discussion and analysis, with significant developments unfolding since the initial water-sharing agreement during the British colonial era. Water, being a vital resource central to human activities, often becomes a focal point of global conflicts over rights, sharing, and usage protocols. The Cauvery dispute, particularly prominent in India, has a long and tumultuous history. Despite extensive literature on the subject, its failure to pass the legal litmus test necessitates a re-examination of the core issue and the credibility of the entire premise.

Legal Foundations of the Cauvery Water Dispute: Assessing Rights 

The question of who holds the rightful claim to the Cauvery waters is pivotal. If viewed as 'property,' the determination of 'entitlement' becomes crucial in defining water allocation principles. Three doctrines are central to this debate:

Harmon Doctrine: This posits that primary water rights belong to those owning land at the water's source. The logic is straightforward – owning the land where the water originates grants you rights over it, similar to owning a well in your backyard.

Historical Use: This doctrine assigns primary rights based on historical water usage, regardless of geographical location. For instance, if a neighbor has historically drawn water from your well and depends on it, they hold rights to the water despite the well being on your property. This mirrors the principles of the 'Tenancy Act,' which granted property ownership to tenants after prolonged occupation.

Hobbesian Approach: This involves rights established through negotiations and agreements between disputing parties, often mediated by an intermediary, such as Water Tribunals. However, this raises questions about the validity of agreements made long ago, especially if circumstances have since changed.

Tamil Nadu has secured favorable judgments in the dispute by leveraging the second and third points, arguing for 'prescriptive rights' based on the 1924 agreement between the princely state of Mysore and the Madras presidency. Essentially, Tamil Nadu claims a right to the water based on longstanding usage, irrespective of formal agreements or negotiations.

Karnataka, on the other hand, challenges this claim, especially during periods of water scarcity due to poor monsoon seasons.

Social Equity and Water Allocation in the Cauvery Dispute

The global standard for water allocation which is the water footprint assessment should have ideally been applied by the tribunal before awarding the quantum of water in the Cauvery Water Dispute. It did not because such a scrutiny would have taken into account whether water use for crop grown in the delta region was environmentally sustainable and resource efficient. Hard questions would have been raised like - Has the Tamil Nadu water footprint come down due to any measure of resource efficiency (like the cubic meters of water required to produce a ton of paddy or ragi) by which it can claim its historical right of water in changed situation? If you grow water guzzling crop and still demand water irrespective of availability how can it be equitably allocated is the moot point

It is clear that the Hobbes (Pt. 3) model of negotiations is failing in the Cauvery Water Dispute because Karnataka is not ready to accept historical models and outdated doctrines when it is facing a harsh reality on ground. If Karnataka was a late starter in irrigation development of its area of the Cauvery basin does it have to be at a disadvantage in appropriating water because the neighbor has historically used more water due to better irrigation in its territory? Is the Tribunal justified in awarding a simple average based allocation (arithmetic hydrology as it is called) or is it simply a disaster waiting to happen (as evident from the imminent clash between legislature and judiciary)

Cauvery Water Dispute: Fairness and Conflict of Interest in the Dispute

Recent developments in the Supreme Court's handling of the dispute have raised questions of fairness and conflict of interest. A judge, previously an advocate for Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister, did not recuse themselves from the case, contrary to precedents set by other Supreme Court judges.

The Tribunal (CWDT) was itself in conflict without a unanimous decision on the verdict. It is reported that there was a division among the 2 members and chairman before awarding 27 tmcft of water. It also counts 1/3rd of Bangalore to fall in the Cauvery basin and drinking water to be allocated only to that area! Quixots I must say.

Eye Candy - Testing fail

Benji Frenji

I am adding a new word to the lexicon


Behenji Frenzy, (variant) Var:Benji Frenji, (part of speech) Verb., (meaning) - verbal idiosyncrasies filled with squalid language


As in speak your mind aloud in an unguarded fashion and foment the sort of trouble that can ruin your career prospects, make you an outlaw and be on the run for touching the hornets nest.


(example) - Dayashankar Singh was arrested today in Bihar after being on the run after his recent Benji Frenji act

Brexit - eyes wide shut (atlas view)

The Brexit poll shows how the split went right down the middle, the funny thing was that the head (Scotland) wanted to stay while the Body (England) wanted to leave. Now the Scots are referring (though in whisper) to a possible referendum about whether to stay as part of the union (will the Union get Jacked the second time around?).


If that happens the UK will be like the proverbial 'headless chicken' or rather 'Turkey' (the way i see the atlas now). One thing the Brexit shows, the forward march of the once imperious nation (whose Sun never set) with its head turned in the exactly opposite direction...

Dr Rajkumar, Naadamaya Song, Raaga Todi and the grand Cosmic Theory

Dr Rajkumar, the versatile Kannada film thespian has sung many memorable songs, the one which stands out most in my mind is this song from Jeevana Chaitra. The lyrics goes like this... “The entire universe is one great symphony” (Naadamaya ee lokavella…)

About the settings: Set in the cosmic surroundings of the Himalayas, the echoes of Dr.Rajkumar’s melancholic voice set to Raga Todi reverberating in the Himalayas is simply mesmerizing. The harmonic tune sets the tone to the song that implies everything in the universe is a grand symphony of divine celestial music. Himalaya has always been abode of the gods for Hindus, and referred as god-souled or devatma. Great Indian souls like Sri Shanakaracharya or Swami Vivekananda found their calling here. The Himalayas are a symbol of the heights that the human soul can attain, its pristine vastness represent the human consciousness.

About the Raga : Todi raga has phrases of notes and intonation which is considered a difficult raaga to perform owing to its complexity in prayoga. This song has complex graces since it progresses with other ragas as can be found in the latter part.

About the Singer: This song proves Dr.Rajkumar’s versatility as singer with a broad range (semi-classical, devotional, sentimental and romantic songs).  He won the national award for best playback singing for this song, the only film artist to have won the National award in both acting & singing. 

On a lighter note,  dr rajkumar also propounded the Einstein’s duality of time (its uncertainty) in this song, (if you come today … la desi James bond style, full length English song in a Kannada movie!!)

About the lyricist: Chi Udayshankar, another legend in the sandalwood pantheon has nicely combined all the theories of the universe in this one immersive song. He foresees all the prevalent energies as a symphony, a unified force emerging in one super symmetry that various science theories strive to explain (wave theory, string theory & so on).

Something like putting all the four forces of nature and the two particle types found in the universe in a mixer blender into one homogeneous mixture. (The four forces in the universe are electromagnetic force, the weak nuclear force and the strong nuclear force, and gravity. All universal particles can be divided into two types: fermions and bosons)

When the song hits its ending note, one can see Dr. Rajkumar in a different state altogether, his acting is in perfect sync with his inner feelings. Only an accomplished actor who is a singer can attain this elevated state

Did you know that Dr.Rajkumar actually recorded Naadamaya song for another film earlier?

Kannada senior artist and press reporter Sureshchandra who has covered Sandalwood for many decades recently revealed in a You Tube channel that Dr Rajkumar had sung Naadamaya song for an earlier Kannada film. He says that during one of the conversation with the thespian, he revealed that it Naadamaya song was recorded for the film 'Simhadriya Simha' by music director Ranga Rao which was later used in the film 'Jeevana Chaitra'

Song credit should have gone to Ranga Rao instead of Upendra (music director of Jeevana Chaitra)

Sureshchandra rues the fact that the music credits for this song 'Naadamaya ee lokavella' should have gone to Ranga Rao and not Upendra as the song was recorded earlier to Jeevana Chaitra for another film but for some reason shelved. When it was later taken for Jeevana Chaitra, the song which went to win a national award for Dr.Rajkumar erroneously credited Upendra (music director of Jeevana Chaitra) instead of Ranga Rao.

Ranga Rao went on win two state awards as best music director for Hosabelaku, Bandhana but missed out this laurel in his credits

Cart to Heart: The Joy of E-Commerce in a Box

Ah, the sweet sound of jingles isn’t just from sleigh bells anymore - it’s the chime of notifications for online deals, heralding the arrival of the modern-day Santa: the ubiquitous delivery guy. Sporting not a plush red suit but rather a t-shirt and a cap, these are the poster boys (and girls!) of the consumer revolution sweeping across India.

You simply can’t escape the flood of ads these days. From a patient nudging his doctor for online health steals to an underling coaxing his boss to snag that sleek laptop deal, everyone’s aboard the e-commerce express. And, oh, if you tuned into this morning's news, you might have caught the latest sitcom episode - starring none other than Bansal of Flipkart and Bahl of Snapdeal duking it out on Twitter. It’s like watching two tycoons in a playground tiff while their money burns faster than a bonfire on a chilly December night.

E-commerce is nothing short of a miracle for the 'instant gratification generation.' Our shopping carts have become the new getaway cars, zipping us straight to consumer bliss. The surge of shopaholic adrenaline when you see those eye-popping offers and portals shouting ‘return, return…apni dukan’ is downright irresistible. Hitting that 'SHOP NOW' button feels like reaching enlightenment—a better life just a click away. And who is the harbinger of this new era? The door delivery person, arms laden with packages, bringing not just your ordered goods but a dose of happiness.

Our backpack-wearing heroes have become the new 'daakia' (postman), zooming around even in tier-3 cities. They carry not letters but parcels of joy, from bulky electronics to fragile heirlooms, all bearing the sacred tagline, ‘sign here, please’. Whether they're part of the vast network of Amazon or buzzing around for local courier services like Expressbee or Bluedart, these folks are the unsung warriors of the e-commerce battlefield.

Ask any e-commerce veteran, and they'll tell you - delivery is the priciest, trickiest part of customer fulfillment. Every day, millions of packages crisscross the country, cash changes hands, and these delivery champs are the ones beating the clock, often giving the pizza delivery guys a run for their money.

The Indian consumer, ever so value-conscious yet convenience-seeking, sees the delivery person not just as a service provider but as a Santa Claus of sorts. Each doorbell ring doesn't just signal the arrival of a package; it's a promise of joy, a hint of excitement, and a symbol of the changing face of retail in India.

In our latest campaign at homeomart.com, we celebrate this spirit, showcasing how e-commerce has not just changed how we shop, but also how we connect with the little joys of life. So next time your doorbell rings, remember: it's not just a delivery; it's a slice of the new retail magic, right at your doorstep.

aam aadmi party news front: 1 year in office

The current NEWS on the aam aadmi party (AAP) front is rather sober; about its performance on the eve of its 1st year in office. Something that should be seen in the backdrop of the BJP’s destabilizing influence in the national capital. Because the saffron party on its part has left no stone unturned, after its humiliating performance at the Poll hustles where it could manage only 3 measly seats. 

With overwhelming mandate from the people of Delhi, it did not have any democratic space even as an opposition in the assembly. The 3 MLA’s on their part were only like a fig leaf in a unprecedented AAP whirlwind that swept Delhi elections last year. Poll success apart, the aam aadmi party was stuck in a peculiar set up where constitutionally it does not have all the powers like other states to exercise control over the executive. Moreover APP in the past 1 year had to ride the roughshod of political turbulence created by its adversary to disturb its normal functioning and discredit its performance in various ways

•  Lt. Governor of Delhi who has extra ordinary constitutional powers is thrown in to become a major spanner in the wheels of the Govt. Egged and supported by the Union Govt , he has created an administrative quagmire where officials are confused about the real authority governing them - appointments & transfers were stopped, jurisdiction questioned, legislation opposed etc. Even the white elephant brigade (the IAS cadre) was emboldened to stage a mini coup against the AAP Govt
• The Delhi Police, steeped in corruption, found itself mugged by a clean & transparent aam aadmi party govt that went hard on corruption (its watering hole). So the Delhi police was more than eager to bark and bite for the centre, and the brutality and hostility it unleashed on the Govt was unparalleled in the country. AAP MLA’s apart even ordinary protesters are being roughed by these uniformed brutes as evident in NEWS recently
• The courts had to step in matters like Govt files being taken away in CBI raids and the crisis like situation created by worker unions of MCD (that were tacitly supported by the BJP) that left Delhi stinking

There are many undercurrents of Sabotage and subterfuge that may go unnoticed but AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal is resolute, at times he is exasperated (which came out as a vitriolic outburst against the Prime Minister) recently. The BJP has not exactly covered itself in glory with its relationship with other parties or allies either; PDP is miffed, TMC is furious, AIADMK is sulking, Mulayam is blowing hot & cold and so on.

As far as the performance of AAP 2.0 goes, check out what unbiased and informed citizens have to say about how the aam aadmi party govt fared, here in a leading online forum for opinions.

Shadows and Echoes: The Unveiled Chronicles of Netaji Bose

The Veil Lifted: Reflecting on the Shrouded Legacy of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

In the quiet corridors of power, a gentle rustling of pages has emerged, carrying with it the echoes of a past that's both turbulent and telling. The government's recent unveiling of classified documents on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose whispers tales of a man whose heroism, once unsung, now resonates with the clarity of truth, as we're confronted with a narrative pitted with the thorns of deceit and the shadows of manipulation.

It's a peculiar feeling to sit back and mull over the fact that while the country was lulled into a serene dream of Socialism, Panchasheel, and Non-alignment, the very fabric of our historical tapestry was being subtly re-stitched to favor the vision of a single narrative - a narrative that seemed to monopolize the very essence of the freedom struggle.

The indignation bubbles up, not solely at the suggestion that some might've whispered the title 'War Criminal' in the same breath as Bose's name - though that in itself is enough to stoke the fires of frustration—but at the broader realization of how his legacy was handled.

The Clash of Ideologies: Bose vs. The Pacifist Narrative

Bose's approach to freedom was akin to a fierce monsoon against the mild drizzles of the Congress's pacifism. He was no advocate for turning the other cheek. His was the conviction that freedom was to be wrested with might and mettle, even if it meant standing shoulder to shoulder with the Axis powers in the thick of the Pacific War.

It was not the gentle persuasion of non-violence but the thunderous strides of the Indian National Army that, as per the candid confessions of Clement Atlee to a certain Mr. Chaterjee of the Supreme Court, accelerated the British exodus, carving out the path for our very own 'Indie Brexit'.

To be branded a quisling by the British might have been a mark of their grudging acknowledgment of his potency, but one wonders whether the same fear gripped those who took the reigns post-independence. Was Bose's radical vision of nation-building and his reputation as a man of decisive action too formidable a shadow over the newly established order?

The Enigma of Gumnami Baba: Unraveling Bose's Final Days

The whispers of his survival, the tales of his incognito existence as the enigmatic Gumnami Baba, as meticulously pieced together by Anuj Dhar, resonate with the question: Why was the conclusion of his epic saga kept obscured? Was it merely political maneuvering or was it a sign of something deeper, a symptom of a collective trepidation?

Perhaps the answer lies in the musings of Henri Louis Bergson, suggesting that our present is but a mirror to our past, and within our outcomes are the seeds of their origins. In reflecting on the tangled skein that was Bose's end—be it through political machinations or a simple bout of bureaucratic clumsiness—we are forced to confront the possibility that in the grand drama of our nation's birth, we may have been less than gracious to one of its most fervent architects.

So here we sit, pondering over the declassified papers, as they settle like dust on the window sill of our nation's conscience, inviting us to revisit, reassess, and perhaps, to revere.

 

Star Wars - The Force Awakens: film review

‘Star Wars - The force awakens’ plot is a grand running continuum, in this episode Luke Skywalker, the last of the Jedi has gone into hibernation. He is ostensibly devastated by the back stabbing done by one of his protege-in-resistance. Meanwhile his bête noire, the evil first order has risen from total destruction of the empire and will not stop until it gets him.

In his absence his sister,General Leia Organa leads a brave resistance with the help of the republic. She needs to find Luke (her brother) and help restore peace and justice to the galaxy. She begins the search at planet called Jakku through an old supporter who has some clue to Luke's hiding place.And thus begins a grand adventure, with the evil empire led by Kylo Ren close on their heels.

Star Wars - The force awakens is a movie set on a inter galactic scale, a creative potboiler that seems to have drawn from Star Trek, Men in Black and Avatar . Its about the good vs the evil fight in a far off Galaxy, and the pursuit of order and justice spearheaded by Luke Skywalker, the Jedi and the fight with dark forces led by the first order. This sequel (which is a running franchise) is probably a staging event for the return of the Jedi in the next installment (he appears in only one singular frame reserved in the end).
 

Why you must see the movie, Star Wars -The force awakens?

1. The size and scale of imagination is awesome, right from the space junkyard with massive space ship debris to the intergalactic gun (the fierce machine) which obliterates planets in one swoop

2. The pace is riveting. One big chase between the resistance and the first order henchmen for the micro chip that will lead to the missing Jedi

3. The next-gen Hollywood talent is in the offing. With people like Harrison aging (he barely seemed to hold himself together in the movie, i mean physically though) other leading characters actors (newbies) remind me of actors like Denzil Washington, Al Pacino.

4. The thrill of space ships zooming-in 3D at fourteen parsecs, and the life size scale of the space stations are breath taking.


Despite all the space razzmatazz the human element in Star Wars - The force awakens makes it so engaging; a son (kylo Ren) who has drifted into darkness (evil ) because he believes his father (Hans Solo) was weak and foolish,
an ordinary space junk collector (Ray) discovers her true potential in pursuit of the good


The dialogues are crackling too, sample this
Kylo Ren: Look how old you've become.
Lor San Tekka: Something far worse has happened to you.


Kylo Ren ( who looks like the evil Bane from The Dark Knight Rises with a costume that resembles a Nazi Black Helmet and a cloak is not dead, it remains to be seen what supreme leader Snoke trains him up to in the next episode. But the old fox Han Solo sadly will be missed as the space smuggler meets a tragic end in the memorable father-son encounter