Yes, we are doing a good job with the trail. No I am not busy today. Yes its good you are taking initiative. No , I am not bored.
Interesting topic you have chosen. And again, since there is no tech there, I don't have much to say. So the least I can do is to make things difficult for you to understand. I will now type this email in the way that Yoda speaks. Yoda, from Star Wars.
Although more emails than you in this trail, I have, just nonsense, most of mine is, like fountain of knowledge, while yours is. And indebted to you for this, am I. Started a blog at cleartext.blogger.com, I have, to see how tough or easy it is just. And that tough at all its not. To set up yours too request you, or welcome to blog at my site, you are. Just send me what you, put for the world, want to. Hmmmmmm.
Indian attire. Yes, I think, referring to the six foot sarees of cloth and silk, you are, and as miniskirts the long strips of white cloth called dothi and our own mundu draped clumsily. If you look closely, see that unstitched clothing is the true form of our traditional wear, you will. Imported, everything stitched was. In that sense, be considered traditional wear, even the kurtha pyjama cannot. But I think you emphasis is more on the area under coverage, instead of type of wear. Anything against western wear, I don't have, maybe because I find them easier to carry off. No cell phones, there were when saree was invented, if so, ladies, to tie them to their pallus, would have.
Look good in western wear too, women can, to its actual purpose provided the dress lives up. If to black and white movies you go back, see college girls in Naseeer film college kumari, we can. Always been taught to respect women, I have, and like it I don't when movies depict women as objects of beauty alone. The feeling is further worsened by the fact that, a kid sister, have I, and never agree with her wearing such clothes, would I. But fact is, the wearer's final decision to chose what he/she wears, it is. Made to wear against his/her wish can no one be. If so, clearly visible, the discomfort is. And the comfort which ready stitched clothes offer weigh against them.
But yes, of exposure both on screen lately theres been lot as well as on live shows. Dancers, actresses, gone minimalistic, even the party wear has. To project onself as rich and successful ,i think it's a desparate attempt. In the last mallu movie I watched, wearing, wearing less than what mamoo koya was, I noticed that nayanthara and bhavan were! As eye candy in the movies just, were they, and with dileep uncle dancing in tight tops, bhavana was. Remember, told you I liked priya gill in josh, have I, cause, wearing full length skirts, was she. Wearing western clothes in goa all right, she was, but with her a certain grace I last saw in waheeda rahman, had she.
I shall make my stand clear: I am 100% against moral policing. There is no rule written anywhere that people should wear certain kind of clothes when one goes out. Schools and colleges may have, and it serves good purpose. But other than that, its freedom of choice. Imagine our policemen wearing dhothis to work , and our brave soldiers wearing khadi in Kargil ! They will be like :
Sardar: Oye, mere khaadi pagadi par goli lag gaya yaar.
Swami: Ayyo, you can use my bullet proof mundu from Kancheepuram ! It was used by Rajani annan in Muthu.
Or maybe: Rough and tough jean sarees. Rough and tough ho, tho rough and tough pehno. Aur dikhao.
Truth is, the glam and glitz is trying really hard to catch up with american counterparts, and the young generation is blindly following. You will not believe it, but things like one night stands and multiple partners and group 6 are all becoming common in india and even here in chennai. Three of my room mates have f%$#^# college friends while they were in college. Casually. And one was involved in group 6 also. I could not believe all this I was hearing. But they are true and did not hide anything from me. My Dilliwala friends tell me that 80% Dilli girls lose their v&%&%nity while still in 10th !!
Compared to this, the view of glitz dolls showing off their assets is nothing to me. When gen next itself is taking all this for fun on the run, establised pros take it in their stride.
Last Saturday, I was feeling bored, so I took out a spare bike here and went cruising. I landed up in Chennai area called Parrys, which has a Parrys factory. There were lines and lines of shops opposite a catholic church here, with heavy rush. So I thought to look around. As soon as I entered the place, tamilians surrounded me and started wispering "BF venama ? Tamil, Hindi,English". Shocked, I spoke in my broken malayalam-tamil "Vendama, enakku electronics venam". They chuckled "Appo malayaleeya ? malayalam irukkum super". When I looked down, I saw that the guy talking to me was wearing a black mundu. He was a Samee !!! "Super engilsh , 5 hours DVD, 20 rupees" he told me. The offer was tempting, but already the sex crazy guys at home were desperate, I didn't want to encourage them. I told them , no DVD player. But he had seen my phone. "Direct to phone loading available maaa" he told me. The place was actually Bhurma bazaar, where cheap electronics was being sold. Remember , the whole setup was in front of a church.
On the way back, to our states I compared all this reality. Free from these so called western cultures, our primitive and orthodox system was, but going the same way, it is. In an outlook study, from cochin, the highest percentage of youngsters who wanted live in relation ships were. But they wanted, and Pune I guess, currently the highest such city is. Also getting frustrated, its obvious that cochin people are.
Regards
Ranjith Ravindran
AIM : ranjithravindran
From: Prasanth R.S [mailto:rsprasanth007@gmail.com]
Sent: 14 December 2008 2:39 AM
To: Ravindran, Ranjith X.
Subject: Re: Hai da
Thanks 4 ur reply. After sending that mail I afraid whether u like that subject or not. But now I'm relaxed.
I know now a days u r very busy. Still u r continuing the trail. Great commitment da.
After the last reply from yours, the saga reached 25. ie Silver Jubilee!!!!!
It may be 4 the first time in the history of Gmail, such a mail trail discussing every aspect of events moving around us. 11 of them r mine and 14 of them r urs. Here also u r topper!!
Today once again I'm taking initiative, as u r busy, it may be difficult to get start from ur side.
I dont know whether it is an interesting subject. Till.......
Indian Attire?
From the earliest civilization of India, our culture was very concerned with the attire. At the very beginning a single long cloth wearing loosely. Then vedic culture, formation of new Kingdoms. Creating different culture. Attire became a symbol of identifying various class of people. After the arrival of Persians and Arabs, there is a change in the form of dressing. They introduced very costly dresses most of them made by silk. It became a new icon of elite. Then the trail of British to India. A new form of dressing.
At the time of Non-Cooperation Movement lead by Mahatma Gandhi, people came to know abt the importance of Khadi (or Khadar) dresses. The freedom fighters and the common people of India started weaving Khadar dresses by weaving themselves. That created a integrity with in the whole people of India. An integrity which never shown by Indian people in any sort of things. Finally India got Independence in August, 15, 1947. After that scenario changed rapidly. With the influence of Cinema, a new trends created in every setups. But only after 1990's a big boom of media created in India as well from outside. After the broadcasting of FTV( now u may understand how I got this topic- its clicked from ur reference of FTV in the last mail), a small part of viewers and a great part of Film Workers fascinated with that changing all the concept of Fashion and Style.
I also like to watch FTV. Not for watching new dress style but to count the Goods.(u may be clicked). Heaven!!!
I had never been conscious abt my dress. U know abt that. I dont know how I came into the topic to interfere?? Leave it.
In the Bollywood movies, Bikinis are not a trend started in our generation. From the films of 1950's and 60's we can watch this. Even Vyjayanti Mala Bali wearing Bikini in the song Bol Radha Bol Sangham Hoga Ki Nahi......Lot of such occasions in the earlier films. But now a days it became a must for every Bollywood actresses. The one who wears much shorter dress will get higher recognition.
There are lot of examples.
Sex Bomb Bipasha Basu has been called for hosting the selection of "Seven Wonders of The World" along with the Great Ben Kinsley and Academy award Winning actress Hillary Swank. She wore a damn hot dress there. Also the contreversial kiss with the Christiano Ronaldo in a Pub after the show.
Mallika Sherawat got a dream come true opportunity to work with Jacki Chan in The Myth. She exposed whatever she can in that movie. Jackie Chan told after that movie that he had a great respect to Indian Women. I dont know why he told that.
Then Shilpa Shetty. I like her very much at the beginning of her career. Her cute smile in Baazigar and Main Khiladi tu anari. But after the great performance in Big Brother show and her final interview in the show showing her full cleavage, I became disappointed. Recently a most interesting thing happened. A reporter asked why she was wearing saree showing all her assets. And also asked dont she think that she was ruining Indian culture. She responded that if wearing a saree is an insult to the Indian culture, then why it is treated as a part of Indian culture.
I think she is so stupid that she cant correctly answer to that question. If she has to know why the reporter asked that question, she has to watch the movies of 1950's and 60's and how the actresses like Nutan, Nargis Dutt, Waheeda Rahman, Meena Kumari, Padmini etc wore saree. ( I'm a great fan of Nutan).
Esha Deols case was an exceptional one. In the first movies she acted showing very must conservatism towards the attires. But no one noticed her. After dazzling hot performance in Dhoom every one noticed her.( Actually there is a rumour that Hema Malini adviced her to do so to stand in the field).
The Award Ceremonies of Bollywood movies are places which challenges the Ramp Shows. Every actresses coming half naked. Some of them holding their Husband's hand wearing half naked without any shyness. Most noted couples were Abhishek-Aiswarya and Shahrukh-Gowri. What is this. This is not Hollywood. No one is raising against this. Where is the so called "Activists". Where is our Gandhians.( Sorry, the actresses are actually following Gandhian Path by wearing "Less dress". May be less than Gandhi)
This is the case of most of the film field in India. Kerala is surviving from this to a Great extend.
The Men still immune from this to a great extend. because the trends can only make a few changes in the Pants and Shirts. Thats all. Even if a guy didnt wear a shirt and walking wearing only Pants, then also nothing would happen.
In the Western Countries, the classic families still shows conservatism towards the attire.
I'm sorry to concentrate a lot in Bollywood. But its nothing actually. If u watch recent movies and Award Functions, u can realise that rather than my opinions.
The girls of our generation is hesitating to wear saree. Basically its a great task to wear. They choose Churidars and Jeans and Top rather than saree. But really these dresses are comfortable. It is not the dress that makes it decent but mode of dressings. Thats very important. The elocutioners speaks a lot abt India's culture and lot abt the attire. May be he wears Khadar dress for show. But did his family members wore Khadar dress. Offcourse not.
In the School, there is uniforms for the students. Its a great thing because the children from the high class society and low class society will looks the same standard.
Wearing the favourite dress is everyones privilege. Use that privilege by wearing simple dresses. When ever we wore a dress we must have to think abt the people who not even holds an alternate dress to wear. India's Culture had a wide aspect. The culture we hails in the name of attire is the merge of lot of world cultures. Aryan, Dravidian, Persian, Arabic, Chinese, British, French etc. We cant even answer when Saree emerged or when our Dhotis emerged. May be its a part of any old foreign culture.
I know u wont be satisfied with todays article. But I wrote this just for a change. But its a good subject, but want a little bit of time to furnish it. That what i lacks.
Anyway do reply da...
On Fri, Dec 12, 2008 at 7:19 PM, <ranjith.x.ravindran@accenture.com> wrote:
Dear DespDa,
Wonderful article, this I will definitely save for future references. You have touched a very nice issue here, the new occupation of so called "Activists" . Reminds me of Munnabha MBBS, where circuit describes themselves as "Social Workers." When he said that, the image which came to my mind was of these people protesting against all development works. And you are damn right about the media coverage part, there is too much live telecast nowadays and people are lapping it all up.
I have no in depth knowledge of the remaining incidents, but the Tata singoor project was a bad story gone all wrong. The damage has already been done, no new factories will now open shop in that place. There have been funny articles on this topic here and here.
One question which comes to my mind is where do these people get money from ? Does this occupation pay ? Obviously, money is coming up from corrupt netas or their betas , whoever have personal gains in the non – development of the area.
The plachimada incident occurred when I was fired from Accenture the first time, and I had nothing to do except read papers and novels. I read about how Achud and gang milked the incident to win the election. My dad rightly pointed out that they will forget it as soon as they sit on the minister's chair. I was once watching discovery channel (not FTV !) and I saw them covering the plachimada incident. But the channel was only giving a reference to the incident. It was covering the Fiji water incident.
Read the page, it tells you that :
Fiji Water has been criticized for the environmental costs embedded in each bottle. The production plant runs on diesel fuel, 24 hours a day. The high-grade plastic used to make the bottles is transported from China to Fiji, and then (full of water) to the United States and other countries. A 1 liter bottle of Fiji Water contaminates 6.74 liters of water to stretch-blow mold the plastic, burns fossil fuel to transport plastics from China and full bottles to the country of sale, and produces 0.25 kg of greenhouse emissions, based on the U.S. as the country of sale.
Also see this.
Everytime I travel home,I carry water. And people are surprised the light brown ayurvedic water I drink from my bottle. My mother boils tap water and fills it the same bottle I have been using for the past one year. And I travel home every 3 weeks on average. I have never bought a bottle on the way. I think this is the best I can do in this regard.
Visit this also da
Also this
As you can see, I am reading a lot of kerala blogs nowadays, maybe I miss the corrupt and lazy kerala naadu more now than before.
Regards
Ranjith Ravindran
AIM : ranjithravindran
From: Prasanth R.S [mailto:rsprasanth007@gmail.com]
Sent: 12 December 2008 1:39 AM
To: Ravindran, Ranjith X.
Subject: Re: Hai da
U reply was not that much short. Its ok 4 todays quota. What i really want is ur response. I'm getting more than my expectation.
Ok, as ur wish, 4 today I'm also relieved from politics. But may be the topic connects with politics sometime.
Now a days there are lot of Human Right Activists and Environmentalists in India. It became a job for the retired Bureaucrats and diplomats. And also it became a new trend in the society. In Kerala, there are lot of Human Rights Activists and Environmentalists working in a great pace. But only in the papers and the comments. The most noted names were Sugatha Kumari, Sarah Joseph, Leela Menon........the line goes on. In the national level, Medha Patkar, Vandana Siva, , Nafeesa Ali.......All the names were of females isnt. It can mislead us that for the good will of human kind, only female activists were working. Any way its not my topic.
In Kerala, recently we watched lot of incidents which questioned the humanitarian value as well as environmental challenge. In all these incidents, the above activists actively involved to raise against the mishaps. But for how many days??? Till the media covers that incidents with colourful headlines. Thats all. The strikes and demonstrations conducted at Plachimada was a best example.(I think u may be familiar with this incident. Any way I give u a brief idea. Coca cola started a plant in Plachimada, Palakkad. They used the undergound water for making the Cola. It created drought in the entire area. The Wells dried out. Only muddy water was there in the Wells. The locals travelled a long distance to carry water for the household purposes. No water for irrigation). For the crowds support for the election, V.S. Achudanandan, the then Opposition leader protested against Coca Cola, which received accolades from National media as well as from Philanthropists. Like dog finds a bone after long hunger days, the "Activists" lined behind VS. All the medias praised the "Activists". Great Personalities!!!!!!! Then the assembly election in 2006. LDF won with 3/2 majority. VS became CM. After that he never noticed that strike at Plachimada. Last January, with the pressure of the Plachimada Panchayath, he visited there just for a formality. Thats all. The strike successfully completed 2400 days. Still it continuing. No news abt that. No activists there. But still the local people continuing strike. Whats my question is, Will the "Activists" only participates in the strike, if there is medias to cover that incident and praises them!!!
Another incident, Chengara Strike, which is conducted by tribal people and still continuing. Its in Wayanad. It also completed 1 Year. Here the demands are different. The tribal people of Wayanad demanding land for dwelling as well as for cultivating. Each demanding 5acres of Land. Sounds ridiculous. Kerala's total land area is 38,863 sq.km. Other interesting fact was that more than 75% of the people participated in the strike owns house. Lot of them holds more than one. They got additional houses from the different schemes of the Govt.s issued all these years. Still they are demanding houses. Also 5acres of land; u know the average price of land in Kerala. The employed people also struggles to buy 5cent of land here. Like everytime "Activists" rouse against the Govt. with out enquiring the actual fact. Later all the parties criticized the "Activists" to join the strike. They withdraw the support to the strike afterthat.
Then Govts move to Athirapally Power project. Without any second thought, the activists protested. The Govt assured that the project will not affect the Tourism. And also it can mitigate the electricity problem to a great extend. But who hears such things. There is position is that if there is electricity problem then ask the God for the remedy. After Govt imposed Half an hour load shedding, "Activists" responded that it is just because of Govts inefficiency to satisfy the demands. the Govt is not promoting, new projects. What a contradiction, isnt.
Then abt Narmada Bachao Andolan conducted by the famous "Activist" Medha Patkar. Actually, its a great project. U can refer website of Sardar Sarovar Project. A world class project. The Govt also assured the resettlement and the rehabilitaion of the people who will lost their shelter. Narmada is India's 5th longest river. the water is wasted by flowing to the Arabian Sea without distributories. By this project, the water can be utilised by building canals through the dry plains of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Sorry for mentioning that there is already a Narmada canal running through Ahmedabad. Recently a bus fall into the canal and most of them died. Because its water level is at a depth of 50 feet. Forget abt that accident. If somewhat ten canals of that size can built then u can imagine abt its benefits. Still Medha Patkar fought against it by raising silly problems. But Modi washed them out from strike. Medha Patkar forgot that it is not Kerala.
Then Singur problem, Tata started its Tata Nano Plant at Singur in West Bengal. The Government acquired the land from the people for building the plant and resettled them. For the sophisticated work and to avoid the land problems, they offered job for each person from every family who has been resettled. Every one became happy because its a great relief for the jobless youth there. But out of 13,000 people, 500 protest against resettling. Its because of the offers made by Mamta Banerjee to that section of people. Anyway strike began. Mamta started henger strike. But the Bengal people discarded the strike. Because it will diminish the scope of Companies to start their Plants in WB. It will increase the number of jobless youth. The WB people raise against Mamta Banerjee. Mamta Banerjee then started to play a new tactics by introducing the " Activists" namely Mamta Banerjee and Nafisa Ali. But made great speeches there. Here also they came to know that the medias were not supporting them. Anyway by the "Grace" of these "Activists", the Plant shifted to Gujarat. The "Activists" never tried to protest in Gujarat. Beacuse they know Narendra Modi and its after effects. All the people who worked at Singur Plant and gave land for the plant lost their job. A father of a job lost youth suicided. Thanks to " Activists".
In India, there are lot of peoples, families and children who were suffering with the ill treatment of the society. No one noticing them. These "Activists" will only act where there is media covering. Every one need publicity. How many of the people know abt Vinoba Bhave and Baba Amte.( actually Baba Amte also participated in Narmada Bachao Andolan. But at the initial stages only). Both of them hailed from elite family. Still through their simplicity in their life and attire and their commitment to the depressed people made them Great. They shown us the path of humanity. But not for the media coverage or fame.
All these "Activists" got lot of International Awards. Great!!!!!! You know C. K. Jaanu (Leader of Muthanga Strike.) also has been listed in Forbes World's Strongest Womens list in 2006 or 2007.
Its a long passage. But please reply. There is still lot of voids. But the time not allowing me. Also through this particular message, its look like I'm trying to test ur patience.
Anyway do reply da.
On Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 12:07 PM, <ranjith.x.ravindran@accenture.com> wrote:
Looks like this mail trail will grow into GBs soon. Ill skip the politics here this time. I agree with your view on Sheela Dixit. Remember,I have always voted for candidates , not parties. Even in college, I voted for people, not the group. It's a different story that I liked both the candidates so I voted for both of them. I think I told you that, right ?
I am from Vatakara Engg college. I have been posted in Banglore, and Chennai. So far, the only other CIT-Vian I know here in Accenture is Rajest (Kappi.) . I head Arun Satheeshan has joined the Callcenter/Network operations in Banglore, but other than that, there is no CIT-Vian here (Tell me if you know anyone else). A college from where so many students have passed out in past and present. And no one here. Accenture emphasizes a lot on quality and soft skills. Other companies don't. That's why there are so many of us at Infy/Satyam/TCS/CTS. But no one here. It hurts me, when I see gangs of boys and girls who got placed here together from the same college. I am a loner here. But I guess our college does not produce quality Accenture wants.
Now for the good news. I am flying to finland again on Dec 27th. My quality has passed another test I suppose. Im going back to make a little more money. Maybe when I come back I can think of buying a house or car J. And that's the only thing that matters. I am doing a good job cause I never give up, and I have a few people who never give up on me. Nothing else matters.
I have been to Estonia. Yes, its relatively under developed compared to other European countries. The place has an old town feeling. It's a place where time has stopped at some places. Please see my photos on Picasa to see me in Estonia. Yes, it was difficult to find vehicles there. Also, their economy suffers more. Cause they have not taken up the Euro system. Everything, from Cars to Alcohol is cheaper there. People regularly visit the place only to do costly shopping, and they save up to 1000 euros !! Cause the Estonia Krono has low value. 1 Euro = 140 Kronos I guess.1 euro = 65 Rs/-. You know what this means. Estonian Kronos is below Indian rupees. Most of the factories there are traditional, and tourism is their biggest industry. There is widespread poverty there too. Please don't compare the economies and development of these countries to rest of Europe.
I cant believe you have still not learnt from your experiences. You were a bright student, and I noted you right in first year, when you sat behind me in B-class. You have paid for the lack of study environment and facilities with more than 4 years of your Engg life. Your marks are low. You are yet to be employed. Its been 3 years since we left college. But you still have not learnt. Do me a favour. Imagine yourself at……CETrivandrum. Imagine. The excellent teachers, great atmosphere. Studious and inspiring friends. Full lab facilites. Imagine. Would that have changed something ? Or everything ? Would you have failed there like you did at CIT-V ? Give me a frank answer.
If I was at CET, I would have never failed a paper there. I would have topped in CSE (at least among the boys !) I would have done path breaking projects. I would have taken up R&D and published some papers. These would have help in my job hunt too.
Institutions do make a difference , bro.
I cant believe you called up minister A K Balan to get electricity on onam day !! Man, you are one responsible citizen at work. May your tribe increase.
This mail is shorter cause I have urgent work regarding my foreign travel. But ill be back soon, with more nonsense in an email.
Regards
Ranjith Ravindran
AIM : ranjithravindran
From: Prasanth R.S [mailto:rsprasanth007@gmail.com]
Sent: 11 December 2008 1:02 AM
To: Ravindran, Ranjith X.
Subject: Re: Hai da
Very lengthy reply. I love this.
then, abt Shashi Tharoor's interest in entering the politics. Its a good move. Actually, I'm not criticizing his decision. But the thing is that after entering in a political party, everyone tries to mark the leaders of that party as Angels. That is what I'm opposing. From that single "Column", u can easily identify that. That is not fair. The conventional politicians can do that. They must have to. But from a person like Shashi Tharoor, not one is expecting that. After joining Congress Party ( a party which never shown any interest to accept Gandhism or any other ideology, but believes in monarchy, a monarchy of Nehru family in the name of Gandhi) can he retain his identity. Offcourse not.( U may think that I'm opposing Congress Party because I'm a believer of Communism. But u can refer to earlier mails abt my stands.)
In the case of Delhi, the victory of congress is because of Sheela Dixit factor. She is a phenom.
Calculations of the fee structure of Private Engg Colleges are based on my own research. If I took that excerpts from any Communist magazines, then my calculation should be based on the base donation of Rs 7 to 8 lakh rather than Rs 2 to 3 lakh.
I already told u da. I'm really concerned abt the Baseless scaffold of Kerala school education. Also the Plus 2 students are giving chance to write the exams in Malayalam. what will be there future. May be they can expect a PSC job. Nothing more than that.( there may be exceptions). Here i can use my usual proverb "kooninmel kuru" also another one "Pande durbala ippo garbhiniyum"( Already weak, now pregnant also). Govt tried a lot of innovations(sorry its not innovations, its stupidities), but failed in all the aspects.Experimenting the education system with the students. Both the Govt were absolute failure in Education reforms. In the history of Kerala education system, only once a great attempt has been tried. The first Kerala Govt. But the feudalists, churches, and the other parties opposed that move. After that, for all the Govt the Education Ministry became a curse and after that none of the MLAs interested to become an education minister.
I know that we studied in a low profile Engg College. I also know the facilities and the standards of the Private Engg Colleges. But, only prestigious institutions are keeping a high profile status. An enormous amount of Engg are passing out from these Engg colleges every year. But how many of them get placed in their own field. Ur arguments are absolute write on the basis of colleges like Rajagiri. But I know lot of Engg colleges in Thiruvananthapuram. They are with poor facilities. They are only concerned abt the donation. Most of them lacks affiliation. How many of the Plus 2 passed students know abt the affiliation. They tries to setup a seat in any Engg College. After passing from this sort of College, they also will the get the Certificate- Btech.( Here also there is lot of exceptions) Our case is not different from this. But at that time only 38 Engg colleges were there. Not it is more than 120. Also the high profile Private Colleges are schools more than college. i met lot of guys, who were studying in Mar Basellius, Mohandas Engg colleges. They told me that they never enjoyed a College life. It was a continuation to the Plus 2.
Actually I always thought abt u that u must have to be a product of IIT or NIT. But the destiny. Not one can read it earlier. But u got the job what u deserve. Still I feel, u deserve rather than this job.
Abt the transport system in Europe, Ranjith I still argue that u are telling abt the Cities and Towns there, not the countryside. U are experienced I know. Yesterday I watched sancharam in Asianet. Episode based on Latvia and Estonia. The Presenter told that he is travelling in a tourist car hired from Airport and it is very much difficult to catch a vehicle from the Villages. They cant find even a Workshop i the villages. Also my friend Ragh Charash, who is doing his PHd in Cork, Ireland told me that we cant find even a single vehicle in the countryside for kilometres. The trams can only found in Towns. So it is obvious. U told me that vehicles are very costly there. Its an exceptions. Because u know that Finland is one of the most expensive country in the world. Thats what the condition of its neighbouring countries like Russia, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania. Sweden is some what different from this, also other countries in Europe as compared to these former Russian empire states.
Abt power cuts. u r talking abt the exceptions. U know about
the Maniyoor. Powercuts extend sometimes even a week continuously. But in Vadakara and the neighbouring places there is no problem with that. This is because of the illiteracy of the people reside there. They never complaint about this to electricity board. They dont even know the Line Man of that area. Just because they deal with this by lighting candles and lanthers. They dont have any complaint with the powercuts. Here what they lacked is the power of their voice. I can tell u one incident. on the Thiruvonam day this year. I woke up at 9'0 clock. At that time i noticed that there was no electricity. I asked my mother, when it gone. She told me that from 7'0 clock itself there was no electricity. I told her that I'm going to complaint to Electricity Board. She responded that lot of people should be complaint all these hours. I didnt heard her. I called electricity board. But there is no ringing. I understood that they kept the receiver down. I really surprised. On the Onam day they are doing this chaotic act. Without any second thought I called Minister A.k. Balan. His PA picked the phone. I told him that i want to talk to Minister. He gave the phone to Minister. I complainted about the power cut.And also the dirty game played by the electricity board. He told me that not to worry about it. Whatever the problem may be within 5 minutes ur problems should be solve. After sharp 4 minutes, power came back. From that incident I realized that it was a cheap game played by the officers of Electricity Board.
Maharashtra issue. The base thing is that Shiva Sena and MNS are highly supported by both Congress and BJP. That is why they are dangerous. Because no one can suppress them since both the major parties in India backs them.. Since u compared Shiva sena and MNS( rather than calling them parties they are terrorist groups.) with LeT, i accept u absolutely. Because LeT was not formed by any independent groups. It was created by CIA and ISI to defend Soviet Union in Afghanistan. That is backed by Pakistan Govt and US Govt. May be u wont believe me. U can refer Wikipedia. Its not exactly written in Wikipedia, but there is some reference. U should be watched Rambo III. In that film Stallone supporting Taliban and fighting against Russian soldiers. In its alternate ending, Stallone joins taliban. You can watch that alternate ending scene in You Tube. But u cant find the Rambo III film in You Tube. Not only in You tube, the English Channels are not showing that film now a days. New copies of that film is also not releasing. Because the film became absolute blunder with respect to todays Terrorist issues particularly 9/11(and offcourse 26/11).Its obvious that US and Pakistan are the promoters of Terrorism all over the world. Now the condition of US can describe with this proverb "Thaan kuzhicha kuzhiyil thaan thanne veezhum". Latest news that Pakistan is ready for the battle. They are challenging India. It will be a good season for American Weapon Market. With the Mumbai blasts, Americans are the greatest Profiters. In the name of terrorism their Intelligence agencies are allowed to penetrate through the internal affairs of India. Also if war occurs, there weapons will be sell out in India and Pakistan. By signing in the Indo-US Nuclear Deal,India cant use the nuclear power for war. India must have to ask the permission of US and the other signed countries so far. ie France and Russia. And offcourse the permission of IAEA. But Pakistan is unleashed.
Long Live America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 11:44 AM, <ranjith.x.ravindran@accenture.com> wrote:
Keep up the good work. I never imagined you would comment on Shashi Taroor's column. I do not know of his political stand, but the guy's knowledge is on multiple levels. I just take everyone's opinion on a certain topic, so I see what he has to say too. But truth is, I think even he is now being drawn into filthy politics. Maybe, the guy has potential and may change things. What do you think about Congress's winning in Delhi and most north Indian states ? Does it mean that people are still contended with his work?
Kudos to your calculations on Engg College fees structure. Looks like you have done considerable research on the matter; I hope you did not pick up the numbers from some Communist pamphlet/newspaper/hoarding. Yes, the figures are staggering. But this business area was opened to Private firms by the government only. Please consult your kerala figures. The number of students passing out of +2 has not doubled; there is only a slight difference. Then suddenly, around 2001, there was a sudden demand for Engg colleges. Why was that ? How come the seats which served purpose till the year before that suddenly turn inadequate? Simple. The number of students aspiring for higher quality education went up exponentially. This is the eventual truth, the government had neglected this section for a very long time, then when the demand grew up, a potential market was created. Managements, trusts, co-operatives, they all cashed in on this boom, which was fuelled by the IT boom too. And before anyone could stay CUT , there were colleges mushrooming in forests and hills and deepest villages. Then the Govt changed, and so did the stand on education.
Why didn't they start more Govt Engg colleges ? My guesstimate is that the last one was Govt engg college in Palakkad, where I got first admission. I was moved to Vatakara via higher options. The govt can still open such colleges and take matter in their own hands, but they want to have the fun but not willing to sweat for it. I am still confused, if I was education minister, I would have opened 10 govt engg colleges more, and ensured free and fair education to more students. As for the huge amounts you say are taken in, I still insist that you will not understand as you and I have not studied in a true engg college. Hence you don't know what we have missed. Half of the students who were in our batch are still unemployed. A quarter is yet to pass. Some of our seniors have to pass too. Those who passed , don't have enough marks to land a quality job. The high scorers of our batch are yet to develop their soft skills to land that dream job. Some of the sharpest minds I have ever met : you, Tomci, Lalu (yes, he is sharp), Sam… are still in queue for their dream job. I know the girls are not that interested, but hey, they too dream big. When our products enter an interview and talk about their projects and papers, they don't match up to the world class projects coming in from other college students. I have spoken to students from these management colleges, man, their projects are stuff out of Hollywood movies.
What was missing ? We had a course, we had buildings, we had uniforms !! Time has proved to us that all these don't constitute a good college. The stuff which was missing was environment. Inspiration. Ideas. Challenges. the only challenges were the arts competitions and the two elections we ever had. Nobody in our batch was willing to come with me to take part in programming/debugging competitions (two members required sometimes). Even you turned down my offer. Nobody participated in our own coders challenge when it was held at CIT-V !! But when I made it to my first job on my very first interview only because I had to prove myself, I was the talk of the college. People were all over my pestering me for treats !! Wow, this is a real Engg college. I am ashamed of typing this email now.
Lalu is a character whom I run into sometimes when I go home. Every time I see him, he in on his beautifully maintained Enfield bike, touring the town. He had the kerala ranks (4000 something) in our CSE class !! I have met his college/school friends. They tell me he was one of the sharpest and most active guys in class. A god fearing person too. His parents would surely have had great ambitions for him. Poor guy has still not passed out.
Even today I am ashamed when people ask me about my college and its students. There is absolutely nothing worthy of mention. A bunch of losers.
If you want to know how the education system has affected students, talk to some one who passed +2 in 2002-2003. That's when all the radical (read stupid) changes came in and put students in a fix.
Ultimate truth is this. If you are a bright student, there is no shortage of seats for you in kerala, or India. Even today, prestigious institutions grade performance by marks. And you will also get stipends. So poor students, but smart students, are covered.
If one is not a smart student , (which means one is an idiot), but rich (that makes him rich idiot), he/she too will get seats, cause money can buy everything.
The problem is between these thresholds. Sort of like a band pass filter J, the poor idiots !! These are the people who are passed by +2 valuators on Baby's ideals of minimum pass.They pass, but they don't qualify for higher education.They don't get seats.
My only worries are for my siblings, but its not a tension at all. My sister is smartest in her class. So she will get seats.
My brother is smart too, but he was lazy, now he is working harder. And I have made some money now to teach him. So he is covered.
So the message is clear : Either get rich , or get smart.
One line from your previous mail clearly stood out : Also enhancing the mother tongue Malayalam is a pretty good idea, but the Minister must provide the job for the ones who cant cope up with English. This is an excellent point, something people haven't thought about yet.
One thing I wanted to add, I don't agree with these indexes GDP fundas. These are only estimates. There is no way you can measure development level on such indexes. They just give you an idea. I completely disagree with these kerala living standards are on European levels. From my personal experience, no,cars are not cheaper there. My manager bought a car when she received huge bonus just before I landed there. In these places, the preferred mode of transport is tram/bus/train. Cars are taken out only when there is camping or parties to attend. That's why there were lesser cars on the roads there. All these are from personal experience.
You are living in Trivandrum city,so you don't experience power cuts. My father in Palakkad says there are frequent power cuts to upto 4 hours in Palakkad NIDA area. Imagine, all the industries are there and there are power cuts.
About Maharashtra, I have lost hope of the state there. The place has no future. The politics there are a century behind Delhi politics. No body has the guts to shut down the Senas there. Its like LeT in Pakistan, everyone knows its there, no one can do anything about it. Everyone wants to live, no one wants to die a shocking death like being cut up on the streets.
Please, your comments on this article.
One last reques: when you get time , please go and visit Shibon's college. You will know what we have missed.
Regards
Ranjith Ravindran
AIM : ranjithravindran
From: Prasanth R.S [mailto:rsprasanth007@gmail.com]
Sent: 10 December 2008 1:54 AM
To: Ravindran, Ranjith X.
Subject: Re: Hai da
Thanks da Ranjith 4 ur compliment. Because its the most valuable thing that I want to hear from someone like u. This conversation between us makes me think centrally more than an extreme leftist. Because I have to think abt Gandhi sometimes more than usual Marxist views.
I accept ur view abt education system in Kerala. The private Colleges need Funds to devolop the colleges and the facilities. But u can estimate, accepting donation in a college @ Rs 3 lakh( to a minimum in Engg colleges. Max of 7 to 8 lakh in prestigious institutions) from atleast 120 students plus Rs 38,000 per year from every student( A calculation based on a college admitting 240 students every years. Most of the college exceeds 300 students). The total is Rs. 3.6 crore plus Rs. 91.2 lakhs plus Rs 2.736 crore ( since other three year students also have to pay fees every years) equals Rs 7.0 crore every year to a minimum.. Also teachers are giving a great amount of money to get a permanent status. Also lot of Engg Colleges are accepting money for PTA fund for resurrection of College. There is an initial expense for buying instruments and Computer. Only after 3 or 4 years they have to replace.( u know in our college there is no replacement). Then the salary of the teachers a
