Monday, November 14, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
11.11.11
What did I do on 11.11.11? Well, I went and stood in a small queue in a bank to apply for my Aadhaar card. But this was the easier part.
Earlier I had tried on the internet and found that there was an address in Panchkula (where I stay) where applications for such cards were being accepted. On reaching there I found no activity. On enquiry the guard told me that there was a camp for accepting Aadhaar applications but that I was late by about two weeks as the camp had been wound up and relocated at Muncicipal Corpn of Chandigarh’s office in sector 17 in Chandigarh. I was there the next day only to be told that they don’t do any such thing. Again the helpful information was to go to the Central bank in Sector 17. Tired and almost wanting to give upI dragged my feet to the latest address and struck gold there.
The wait took about 5 minutes and the process only 10 minutes. It reminded me of my visit to the American Embassy in 2005 when I had applied for an American visa. I had not been to USA and was not very keen either but then with life slowly coming to an end, I thought the heaven ad hell might have been taken over by the Americans to introduce more democracy there. In such a case the first question put to me would be “Have you been to the States?” Not willing to take any chances I had decided to make a trip to the USA and had applied for a tourist visa. When the turn came for photographs/finger prints and photo of iris of the eye to be taken, I had mixed feelings. I was overawed by the American technology. At the same time my inner self resented at this intrusion of my privacy.
Surprisingly my feelings were totally different and positive this time. I felt proud that India has absorbed new technologies so effortlessly. My coming here was totally voluntary. I wanted the Aadhar card to be made since the process will help not only me but also my country.
Coming back to harsh realities, a copy of the application receipt with my photo printed on top was handed over to me by the operator. I was told that the card would reach me at my address in about two months time. I felt even more proud of my country.
And then I saw the photo on the receipt. It was the photo of an ugly puffed up old man. That’s not me, I protested to myself and almost wanted to disown my face. But no, that was my photo alright. Then I remembered that about a month back I had been photographed when I applied for a passport. On taking the photo the tall young lad had helpfully suggested “Uncle ji, see if the photo is alright? I had failed to take the hint and found out a little later that it was one of the most terrible mug shots of me. I am not too keen on early receipt of my passport with that bad photo.
These two incidents have brought me to doubt myself. Is it only the photo that is bad? Or maybe with the passage of time and age, this is what I really look like now, but am not willing to admit it?
Earlier I had tried on the internet and found that there was an address in Panchkula (where I stay) where applications for such cards were being accepted. On reaching there I found no activity. On enquiry the guard told me that there was a camp for accepting Aadhaar applications but that I was late by about two weeks as the camp had been wound up and relocated at Muncicipal Corpn of Chandigarh’s office in sector 17 in Chandigarh. I was there the next day only to be told that they don’t do any such thing. Again the helpful information was to go to the Central bank in Sector 17. Tired and almost wanting to give upI dragged my feet to the latest address and struck gold there.
The wait took about 5 minutes and the process only 10 minutes. It reminded me of my visit to the American Embassy in 2005 when I had applied for an American visa. I had not been to USA and was not very keen either but then with life slowly coming to an end, I thought the heaven ad hell might have been taken over by the Americans to introduce more democracy there. In such a case the first question put to me would be “Have you been to the States?” Not willing to take any chances I had decided to make a trip to the USA and had applied for a tourist visa. When the turn came for photographs/finger prints and photo of iris of the eye to be taken, I had mixed feelings. I was overawed by the American technology. At the same time my inner self resented at this intrusion of my privacy.
Surprisingly my feelings were totally different and positive this time. I felt proud that India has absorbed new technologies so effortlessly. My coming here was totally voluntary. I wanted the Aadhar card to be made since the process will help not only me but also my country.
Coming back to harsh realities, a copy of the application receipt with my photo printed on top was handed over to me by the operator. I was told that the card would reach me at my address in about two months time. I felt even more proud of my country.
And then I saw the photo on the receipt. It was the photo of an ugly puffed up old man. That’s not me, I protested to myself and almost wanted to disown my face. But no, that was my photo alright. Then I remembered that about a month back I had been photographed when I applied for a passport. On taking the photo the tall young lad had helpfully suggested “Uncle ji, see if the photo is alright? I had failed to take the hint and found out a little later that it was one of the most terrible mug shots of me. I am not too keen on early receipt of my passport with that bad photo.
These two incidents have brought me to doubt myself. Is it only the photo that is bad? Or maybe with the passage of time and age, this is what I really look like now, but am not willing to admit it?
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Come on grow up Rediff.
"Saif crowned the Nawab of Pataudi" reports rediffmail.com.
Come on grow up Rediff.
Come on grow up Rediff.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Publication of my 14th book - "The Balasore Papers"
I am happy to share with you that my 14th book “The Balasore Papers - A compendium of important documents relating to the Anglo-French dispute ever the French Loge in Balasore, India: 1693-1949” has just been published.
Oh no, not another book on Balasore, you might say.
But believe me this book is different from my earlier book on Balasore (“Some Vignettes of Balasore and its French Loge”). The present book is a compilation of hitherto unpublished Franco-Britannic documents from 1693 to 1949 relating to the French Loge in Balasore India. A number of these documents have been translated from French to English by me.
Ten pages of the book have been put on the web (http://pothi.com/pothi/book/k-j-s-chatrath-balasore-papers) and may I invite you to thumb through some of these pages?
Oh no, not another book on Balasore, you might say.
But believe me this book is different from my earlier book on Balasore (“Some Vignettes of Balasore and its French Loge”). The present book is a compilation of hitherto unpublished Franco-Britannic documents from 1693 to 1949 relating to the French Loge in Balasore India. A number of these documents have been translated from French to English by me.
Ten pages of the book have been put on the web (http://pothi.com/pothi/book/k-j-s-chatrath-balasore-papers) and may I invite you to thumb through some of these pages?
A chilling portrayal of reality....
A few years back a Pakistani, Mohammed Hanif, wrote his first book, “A Case of Exploding Mangoes”. It turned out to be an instant bestseller. Now he has come out with his second book - “Our Lady of Alice Bhatti”, which is of a totally different genre. It deals with social issues and especially with the plight of women in Pakistan.
Hanif says quite candidly that women are “shot at or hacked, strangled or suffocated, poisoned or burnt, hanged or buried alive” daily. He goes on to add that “suspicious husband, brother protecting his honour, father protecting his honour, son protecting his honour, jilted lover protecting his honour, feuding farmers settling their water disputes, moneylenders collecting their interest: most of life’s arguments, it seems, get settled by doing various things to a woman’s body.” (emphasis mine)
What a chilling portrayal of reality!
What he writes about Pakistan, applies equally to the situation in India. What a shame my fellow males!
Hanif says quite candidly that women are “shot at or hacked, strangled or suffocated, poisoned or burnt, hanged or buried alive” daily. He goes on to add that “suspicious husband, brother protecting his honour, father protecting his honour, son protecting his honour, jilted lover protecting his honour, feuding farmers settling their water disputes, moneylenders collecting their interest: most of life’s arguments, it seems, get settled by doing various things to a woman’s body.” (emphasis mine)
What a chilling portrayal of reality!
What he writes about Pakistan, applies equally to the situation in India. What a shame my fellow males!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Ah... this monkey business...
"2 lakh monkeys to be sterlized by June 2012"
"Shimla: The himachal government has set a deadline of june 30 next year to sterlise two lakh mokeys in the state.
About 25 sterilisation centres would be set up across the state for the purpose.
To attract people to the project, government has decided to give cash incentive of Rs. 500 per creature.
A decision to this effect was taken in the cabinet meeting.... ...."
(Source: The Times of India, October 19, 2011)
"Shimla: The himachal government has set a deadline of june 30 next year to sterlise two lakh mokeys in the state.
About 25 sterilisation centres would be set up across the state for the purpose.
To attract people to the project, government has decided to give cash incentive of Rs. 500 per creature.
A decision to this effect was taken in the cabinet meeting.... ...."
(Source: The Times of India, October 19, 2011)
Friday, October 21, 2011
HAPPY DIWALI
One of my young service colleagues was ruing the other day that in spite of being honest, the perception about services was becoming more and more negative and wondered what could be done to arrest and reverse the trend. There is an often flogged advice “You should not only be honest but also appear to be honest.”
In just a few days from now we would be celeberating Diwali. It is a festival of joy and giving and receiving small presents is definately a part of it. This is also the time when one sees cars stopping in front of the houses of some of the politicians and bureaucrats and well dressed persons seen entering those place with ‘dabbas’ of sweets, baskets of fruits and one does not know what else. The common man is likely perceive these as signs of corruption in the politicians and the bureaucrats.
Let us leave the politicians out and talk of our own fraternity. The All India Services Conduct Rules and the Central Civil Services Conduct Rules specify what one can accept as a gift and what one should not. The relevant provision is quite stringent and clear even though couched in a very legalistic officialese. One is permitted to accept gifts up to the value of Rs. One Thousand. On religious and social occasions one can accept gifts up to Rs. Five Thousand from one’s near relatives and personal friends. Besides there is a prohibition to give or accept dowry.
Let us take the hypothetical case of a District Collector or an Income Tax Officer posted in a district headquarters. The common man sees a long stream of people going to the residence of the Sahib on Diwali day with small gifts of value of less than Rs. One thousand each. It may be fine so far as the Rules are concerned but creates a wrong perception in the minds of the public.
So what does the poor officer do? Aceept no gift from any one or accept only bouquets of flowers? My personal view is that it is not that difficult to say ‘No’ to every one from day one- no presents- no sweets-no fruits-no bouquets and even -no calendars/ diaries. Believe me no one gets hurt if you refuse his gift. On the other hand this evokes an admiration.
I recently chanced to see the to see the instructions given to young ICS officers posted in the districts as Asst Colllectors and was greatly impressed. I am going to quote the relevant portion in full, even though it is a bit long.
“Although under the Rules you are permitted to receive fruit and flowers, and although there is no objection to accepting a few mangoes or a bunch of grapes from a country gentleman’s own orchard or vineyard, yet you will find life easier if you make a definite rule never to accept any “Dalis”, i.e. basket of fruits of varying kinds, cakes etc., for such are often of more than “trifling value”. If you accept such a “Dali” from a well-to-do merchant or landlord, to whom the cost is of no consequence, you can hardly, without giving offence, refuse to accept them from others, including from those who cannot afford to make such presents, but who feel that they are socially bound to give them or that it would help their social or business prospects if they did. The rule never to accept any Dali is simple, and, when known to your friends, will be appreciated and observed.
You will not, however, be able to escape the acceptance of garlands or flowers on various suitable and unsuitable occasions. But it is well to issue a definite order that garlands and fruits are never received from your own subordinates of whatever rank. It is embarrassing to be garlanded by a Mamlatdar whose administration you may have just been criticizing with acerbity, or by a clerk with a large family who ought not to waste his money on flowers.”*
Have a Happy Diwali!
(*Source: Assistant Collector’s Manual” by Sir Fredric S.P. Lely, Government Central Press, Bombay, 1938, pages 168-169)
In just a few days from now we would be celeberating Diwali. It is a festival of joy and giving and receiving small presents is definately a part of it. This is also the time when one sees cars stopping in front of the houses of some of the politicians and bureaucrats and well dressed persons seen entering those place with ‘dabbas’ of sweets, baskets of fruits and one does not know what else. The common man is likely perceive these as signs of corruption in the politicians and the bureaucrats.
Let us leave the politicians out and talk of our own fraternity. The All India Services Conduct Rules and the Central Civil Services Conduct Rules specify what one can accept as a gift and what one should not. The relevant provision is quite stringent and clear even though couched in a very legalistic officialese. One is permitted to accept gifts up to the value of Rs. One Thousand. On religious and social occasions one can accept gifts up to Rs. Five Thousand from one’s near relatives and personal friends. Besides there is a prohibition to give or accept dowry.
Let us take the hypothetical case of a District Collector or an Income Tax Officer posted in a district headquarters. The common man sees a long stream of people going to the residence of the Sahib on Diwali day with small gifts of value of less than Rs. One thousand each. It may be fine so far as the Rules are concerned but creates a wrong perception in the minds of the public.
So what does the poor officer do? Aceept no gift from any one or accept only bouquets of flowers? My personal view is that it is not that difficult to say ‘No’ to every one from day one- no presents- no sweets-no fruits-no bouquets and even -no calendars/ diaries. Believe me no one gets hurt if you refuse his gift. On the other hand this evokes an admiration.
I recently chanced to see the to see the instructions given to young ICS officers posted in the districts as Asst Colllectors and was greatly impressed. I am going to quote the relevant portion in full, even though it is a bit long.
“Although under the Rules you are permitted to receive fruit and flowers, and although there is no objection to accepting a few mangoes or a bunch of grapes from a country gentleman’s own orchard or vineyard, yet you will find life easier if you make a definite rule never to accept any “Dalis”, i.e. basket of fruits of varying kinds, cakes etc., for such are often of more than “trifling value”. If you accept such a “Dali” from a well-to-do merchant or landlord, to whom the cost is of no consequence, you can hardly, without giving offence, refuse to accept them from others, including from those who cannot afford to make such presents, but who feel that they are socially bound to give them or that it would help their social or business prospects if they did. The rule never to accept any Dali is simple, and, when known to your friends, will be appreciated and observed.
You will not, however, be able to escape the acceptance of garlands or flowers on various suitable and unsuitable occasions. But it is well to issue a definite order that garlands and fruits are never received from your own subordinates of whatever rank. It is embarrassing to be garlanded by a Mamlatdar whose administration you may have just been criticizing with acerbity, or by a clerk with a large family who ought not to waste his money on flowers.”*
Have a Happy Diwali!
(*Source: Assistant Collector’s Manual” by Sir Fredric S.P. Lely, Government Central Press, Bombay, 1938, pages 168-169)
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