Grand Finale! Indo-US N-Deal!

When the going gets tough, the tough get going! This is one of my favourite quotes which I believe to the core and implement it too. Not wasting any more time, I shall come down to this intriguing topic.

The Indian N-deal is still a mystery as I draft this. Half way around the world, there are decision makers who are still divided on the issue of giving a free thorough fare to India on this issue. Back to where we are (India of course!), New Delhi must be seriously preparing for the Budget tomorrow. But, in the wake of President Bush’s (the most powerful man in the world) impending visit a few day’s later, there is a shift in focus.

This can also be attributed to the mundane budget that would be presented tomorrow with emphasis on Infrastructure, agriculture and certain discussions on FBT and personal tax (I am keeping my fingers crossed). The Finance Minister shouldn’t be too harsh on the excise duties too. These would be brought down to the global average of 8% from the current 15%. But, then again this should happen over a period of time. Will electronic goods also be exempt is something to be seen (Again fingers crossed, waiting to buy myself a computer!!!).

Coming to the Million Dollar Question, Will India snatch the nuclear deal in the coming months? My views are as follows

1. Dr. Singh gave way to our strategists, scientists and also experts’ thoughts on NPT and the separation plan. Positive!


2. Burn’s states that the deal is 90% complete and would require further ratification (what does he mean by this?). Positive!


3. Bush is keen on getting into a Strategic partnership with India. The reason being, weakening of Japan and strengthening of China. Positive!


4. Bush’s backyard (the USA), the Non-proliferation experts are having a field day and are forming a coalition to educate the congress about the negatives of the deal. Negative!


5. US desperately wants the Fast Breeder programme to be on the list. And India will not oblige. Negative!


6. US unsure of how only 60% of the facilities having safeguards puts breaks on India’s weapons programme. Negative!


7. US actively looking at alternatives to Nuclear power which right now make-up only 2-3% of the total power produced. Neutral!


8. US congress keen on making India sign an agreement for non-proliferation. This may curb the weapon’s programme if need be. Negative!


9. Bush ready to make changes to the law for India if it accepts the dictum. India ready for cooperation and not open for the imperialist taunts of the US. Negative!

Thus, going by the above, it is unlikely that we would grab something from Bush! So, it remains to be seen how far will Bush go to grab this initiative which would strengthen its presence in South Asia.

My say, there would be big ticket announcements on agriculture, trade, Outsourcing (H1B Visas etc). If we are unable to grab something during this visit, then we might have to settle for other sources of power like wind, clean coal etc.

Controversies for Attention - Here's one more!

I was reading up a bit on the internet and on every other page across sites, there was this exuberance about India’s triumph against Pakistan. Agreed that India is a good team, but it still has a long way to go in order to become a great team.

Amidst all this, if you take a look at any cricket specific site like http://www.cricinfo.com there are better stories than our very own people. Controversies attract everybody’s attention and that is exactly what the Kangaroos are up against the proteas. To my horror, Mark Boucher is wooing fans to take on the Kangaroos. I still don’t understand the case in point. Is it because, the proteas had testing times (very tough though!!!) out in Australia? Even then, I am strongly against this!

And now, there is another controversy that our very own articulate and obstinate Ricky Ponting is stirring up. He is going to use the same Kookaburra bats that have a lining of black graphite at the back. I gather this gives the batsman an undue advantage. “I GUESS, NOW WE KNOW HOW THE LITTLE MAN SCORES SO MANY RUNS”. Cheater! Cheater! Cheater! Anyways, no more comments on the same!

Coming to yet another controversy that the invincible team of WI’s in 80’s, I was shocked to read about the behavior of Mike Holding and Clive Lloyd. Gosh man, read this article. There were around 20 wrong decisions by the umpires during their 2 test matches against the Kiwis. And a guy in the WI’s management went on to claim that they had to get a kiwi batsman out 9 times, before he is asked to leave. Gosh! Read a full length story at http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/columns/content/current/story/237606.html

Alright then, I am hearing to the great MJ’s “I just can’t stop loving you!” Any time, anywhere, I am still his loyal fan for all his great music!!! Hats off MJ!

Extended Monkey Problem!

As I sift through my thoughts and feelings, here I am sitting infront of Man's Best creative Addiction ever (The Computer)! I call it a creative addiction because, there is no point of time that you get bored of this damn thing! How much ever you sit on it, you can still find various reasons to come back to the same chair to look into the same old screen and never get bored. (Mr. Bill Gates are you listening to this??)

Now, if you look at one's life there are problems and there are solutions to all of these problems. But, one’s prejudices, feelings and EGO normally come in the way of one's decision making. So, you have a problem and there is a ready made solution to the same, but any of the above three come in way to create another problem and hence you are constrained by these trivial things to solve the BIGGER ISSUE at hand. It is at this juncture that I would like to share an example from my real life.

This is a classic example of an Extended Monkey problem! For the benefit of those of you who don't understand 'The Monkey Problem', here is a quick session. Every problem/situation is a Monkey and they start sitting on your shoulders. For example, your uncle needs to contact somebody in the bank to get a loan. He asks you to contact that bank guy and asks the bank guy to contact your uncle. Now, there was a monkey on his shoulder which jumps on to yours. So, out of your affection, if you accept that, YOU ARE DONE FOR! as that monkey is on your shoulder (Amber light!!!). Now, once you call the bank guy and follow up with him, he needs a favour from your side as he is doing one for you. A second monkey on your shoulder!!! (Red lights’ beeping) Similarly, we take up so many monkeys onto our shoulders even before you realise.

In my case too, I have a problem of arranging a house and then the extended monkey problem. Out of my affection on my relations, I take up one monkey of arranging the house. Even before I realise, people form expectations and you have to live upto them. Soon after that they demand things from you. Even before you can begin things, there are many sanctions put up. Somebody wants it done, somebody else wants to do only ONE part of the entire chain, not realising the fact, I am the one to finish the entire thing. He/she takes up the critical part and keeps postponing that part because of various reasons (Can’t robots be invented quickly, I am sick and tired now!). So, your situation is nearing a critical situation and then its time for a big STOP! STOP! STOP!

If you take a step back and see the whole thing, nobody is to be blaimed, not even myself, except fate. There is a solution to such problems too, accept your defeat and allocate the entire thing to some other person (if possible that critical work stopper, but then he postpone the entire thing, who knows! ;) and get out of the way. This is what I call the Extended Monkey Problem!!! This is the solution that LIFE taught, incase you have any better solutions to the same, then have a good time! :) ;)