It's RED - let's face it

As much as the pundits keep harping the positive adjectives about the economy - stabilizing, growing, black, green, shooting up, etc. etc. - I still feel very uneasy at the state of affairs.

Yes, the stock indices went up.
Yes, the job loss numbers are coming down.
Yes, the banks (some at least) are reporting.
Yes, they are buying more cars than last year.
Yes, this...
Yes, that....

Yet - I still feel these are all just glossing over the reality.

That - the economy is not really strengthening at its core. But the icing is made sweeter. That's all. Me feels, it's just the speculative investers making the money. It's just the institutions trying to control the costs and showing black/green. It's just the incentives offered by various quarters pushing the public (some of them) to spend and boost the numbers.

But, the fundamentals of the economy are 'still strong' - as McCain famously said last year. Nothing (or not much) has changed since - to change the way business is done. Consumer credit is still in danger of collapsing. People are still living dangerously on borrowed money. 'Leaders' are trying for the 'feel good' factor rather than 'doing good'.

Or may be we will continue to grow this 'bubble' until the next burst, without actually changing anything. And may be that's how economies operate - not on reality but on speculation. Only.

Oh well... let's see.

Swasti!!

da Gama Day

This year's Columbus Day in the US - Monday 12th October - made me wonder what ever happened to Vasco da Gama and his setting foot on India. As we know, Christopher Columbus set sail in 1492 A.D. looking for India in the Asian continent. He overly underestimated the earth's circumference - so much so that he ended up in the Bahamas islands, almost 1/2 the earth away from India. However his life is celebrated widely.

And then we have Vaso da Gama - who set sail in search of trading with India - and landed up in Calicut on 20th May 1498. Bulls Eye!! But nobody cares for him today!

Is the new world saying: Nothing succeeds like failure ?!

True, Columbus' failure musta prodded, motivated and excited Vasco to try another route and finally reach his target. Whatever the case - can we have a da Gama Day on May 20th every year - to celebrate the success of Vasco, and give him his rightful due?

Swasti!!

Nobel intentions ?!

Congratulations to the President, for being chosen for the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. The coveted prize, however achieved, is the greatest of the compliments.

However, the Nobel Committee's selection of Barack Obama raised more questions than it answered - about the selection process and about the panel's intentions, to name a few. Any which way I look at it, this award (verb), is not justified/appropriate at this time.

If Obama's aspirations, eloquence and initial steps helped change the world's perception of the United States - then he's just doing his job, correcting the wrongs of the previous administration. Nothing great there. If his grand vision of a non-nuclear world and sustainable peace across the globe is being rewarded, then he is not the only person of stature with those visions. There have been many who aspired as such, and worked hard and long for the same. Not enough reason, I think, for the award.

Anyway - as mentioned at the outset, a Nobel is a Nobel - however achieved. Congratulations Obama!! Luck is favoring your good intentions. Make the most of it and make a real difference in the world!

Swasti!!

My favorite quote

Be the change you want to see

This quote

- epitomizes HIS character and life

- sums up all his words, talks and deeds

- is the most powerful of all the words thus far spoken

- embeds profound meaning for everyone

- guides many with clear and concise mantra

- reaches all humanity with great relevance to their own situation

- when put into practice, would change the world for better

for ever

There have been many other quotes, spoken by many many worthy stalwarts in history. But none so potent, simple and self-guiding than this - I believe.

Let's rededicate ourselves to remembering this every day, and follow it with sincerity.

Mahatma! NamastE!

Swasti!!