Economic Meltdown – State Sponsored?

Right from the start of the economic meltdown everyone has felt the heat in varying degrees। The affected and the not so affected, all have their own version of the story and own strategy to analyse and overcome. People at all levels discuss it in their own way – whether they understand it or not, right from the best experts to the layman man. Governments to the common man - the lowest unit of the system. Politicians, Economists, policymakers, Corporations, Employers, Employees, businessmen all. In intellectual circles it is a common topic of discussion and debate. And yes it looks like a debate only as no solutions are visible except bailout packages by various bodies.

I as a layman I am caught up in the debate many a times। I’ve read a number of articles by different authorities in various publications and seen various interviews on TV channels. In most part the whole thing is being blamed on the US, or at least the start is always attributed to USA, and spreading to the whole world, engulfing it in its flames.

Sometime in the early part of the beginning – I was with a professional friend, 20 years my junior and one who had spent 12 years working in the US as a Technology expert। Obviously apart from other things – we started discussing the economic conditions and here also the discussion revolved about the US and US credit policies, Real state, Consumerism, Life-style, rampant use/misuse of credit cards and all such things.

Based on the discussions and readings, I was tempted to write my views and share with the world what I feel about it as a Lay man, but somehow was not able to do so। Last Sunday on the 18 of January 2009, I was reading our regular news paper Rajasthan Patrika and in the Sunday column there was a reproduction of a Lecture by Mr. S Gurumoorthy, a prominent Journalist, Economist and a very reputed professional. After reading the article I could not hold back and am here trying to share my views and seek answers I’m unable to find. My comments have borrowed heavily from the above cited article, and in no way I want to criticize, contradict or comment on the renowned Mr Gurumoorthy. I’m too novice for that and being a layman – I don’t stand anywhere near compared to him. I have used some of the points only because, more or less all discussions and my readings revolve around similar points. Even my discussions with my friend referred above have the same content.

Everyone has blamed the USA, its consumerism, consumption, debt, economic policies, and credit cards as responsible for the crisis। My friend and Mr Gurumoorthy agree on the point of average 10/12 credit card ownership per family. To a great extent they attribute the downfall to this. They also point to a whooping loan taken by the US. Heavy advances by most of the countries exporting to the US. They have tried to analyse the whole scenario and find/suggest answers – but I could not find the answers or reasons. May be I’m not able to understand the same. In the article – at one place he writes that we in India are better placed because of our cultural and social upbringing and this in turn has given us saving habits. This is upheld as a big virtue and a strong reason for our safety in these times. There are so many different references to interest rates, stock markets, mall culture, spending habits of the western world. Also there is a positive reference to the Indian Family system and culture. Most of it I’m unable to understand. He has also pointed to the American social security system and concludes this as a type of Nationalisation of the Family structure.

Whether it is US or anywhere else in the world – if one gets a credit card – he cannot go on getting credits endlessly। If a counrty imports goods on credit it has to pay back. It cannot endlessly get credit. The way I understand the trade, mostly it is between private players. A manufacturer/Supplier in Japan/China/India exports to US/EUROPE – on some fixed payment terms. In most cases the payments are advance by LCs, even if there are credits – they are normally short term. The traders are not in default for long periods of time. The citizens of any country using multiple credit cards cannot be in default for long times. On an average a US citizen earns better than an average Asian or Indian. He may not save but cannot spend much beyond his limits. In all countries of the world, governments run on Taxes and as far as I understand – the tax collection machinery is the most ruthless everywhere. No government leave the tax defaulter at ease for long. India is a different story. If the government is collecting the taxes – and the population after paying the tax is left with little to survive/indulge in and still live on credit, to me it sounds – state sponsored debt. The government is rich and the citizens’ debt ridden. Living under a constant debt burden. In a way it looks like the Government and a few people favoured by the government are rich and are becoming richer by the day. Nowhere have I read the US government has become bankrupt. Nowhere in all the material I have read so far is there news of a Bailout package for the State. This again compels me to wonder if everything is state sponsored? Since my exposure to their system is limited, I cannot discuss much on them but just a few points which as a layman come to mind – point a finger to state sponsorship for all that is happening.

Coming to India – the virtues pointed out in the article don’t seem to be holding ground in the present system। The only difference I see here is the system – if we can say we have a system. Else it is the non existence of the system that probably is saving us. In India I know what it is to get a credit card. If you have a strong balance sheet – there are tens of lending agencies to extend a card. If you are financially weak – I hope everyone knows what it to own a credit card. In case of defaults also the ways of recovery are well known. My experience shows – it is mostly the powerful/mighty/prosperous who default the most as they know they can fight/evade/manipulate the recovery agents/system. The middle class and poor mostly pay-up or don’t default in the first place. I personally know of a no of instances where huge outstanding bills of Industrial Houses are converted in Loans in case of habitual defaults. To a common man – one unpaid bill and the departmental people are there to disconnect/disrupt services. After defaulting once – and going through the reconnection process – few have the nerve to default again.

The family system is also falling apart – the prosperity of the past decade is not based on the virtues of the traditional system but newer generation which have scant respect to the old values। What we see mostly is the result of IT/ITES boom and the American way of life. I personally know many young Indians earning more than their parents and still unable to meet their personal expenses. The highest family discord/mal-adjustment is in the young and educated/modern generation. The growing greed, materialism, disregard towards elders, life style do not speak too well for these virtues. Still we are better placed compared to the western world is beyond explanation. Probably we are in transition and hence neither traditional nor western. Yes I agree totally with Mr Gurumoorthy about the strength of the traditional Indian Family system rooted in virtues. Also I firmly believe and advocate the opinion that we will never be “westernised” in the way they are, our cultural and social systems and upbringing will always withhold us. Despite seeing it fail – we are following them, but not for long. In the final analysis we will have to invent our own system and we will.

We may be happy about the bank deposits – but it is not the savings of the common man। The common man is hardly able to meet his minimal requirements of Food and Shelter, leave aside health, he cannot afford to be health conscious. He only takes care of Emergency Health management and that also by insufficient methods and means. The abundant presence of quacks and untrained practitioners is proof enough. Education is a luxury for the blessed few. Where is he going to find funds for savings? This saving is also coming from the parallel economy to a large extent. As the government control on banks is increasing we will see less in the bank savings accounts and FDRs. Real estate is another alternative option of investment of the funds from the parallel economy and we already have seen the rise in investment in this sector.

We are better placed compared to the west because we have less state control or no control to be more true। Our state does not have control on the tax collection, the n numbers of tax evaders are proof enough. The existence of parallel economy is a known and accepted fact. We do not have a working bureaucracy or a political system. The major part of the working hours of our policy makers are spent in saving the seat. The politician is under constant pressure of retaining his seat – so the most part of his time is spent in protecting it, managing alliances, planning for re-election for the next term. Making the most out of the present position and insuring the future of his whole generation – as he is not sure of getting a second chance. To get a second one has to work, perform, but alas he does not have time or capability for one thing that is work, perform. A bureaucrat also has a similar agenda, though not in fear of losing the job, but he also has to safeguard the seat of profitable assignment. The one on a lucrative posting lives under constant pressure of losing it and the one without, under constant pressure of making efforts to get there. In all this seat management where do we see the time to make policies and manage the affairs he is entrusted. In all this seat-management mayhem – governance and duties are casualty.

Probably India is the only country in the world where we reward the defaulter। We pay the bills of the pilferers. Electricity is a very good example. It is a well established fact that we have one of the highest electricity pilferages. And what is the ground reality? The establishment reports loss and increases the rates – to be paid by the conscientious honest user. It is the same everywhere – the honest user of services pays for the dishonest. Again a typical case of systemic failure.

In a way we can say – we are better placed because we do not have any state control। We do not have STATE at all. We just have a symbolic state. AND that is probably A Boon In Disguise. Neither virtues, nor systems but the absence of STATE is helping us survive, if we can have a semblance of satisfaction that we are as surviving.

A counter point – Despite the gloomy economic scenario – the huge success of the Vibrant Gujarat Investor summit। A well managed show of State - commitment.

If we really want to find solutions – we have to look at the STATE and the ways of the STATE – initiate changes from the top. The person who care and understand what little is in their capacity have taken a resigned view, we have to bring them to the front ranks. The overwhelming affinity of materialism have pushed the thinkers and knowledgeable to the sidelines. We have to restore honour and respect for them to get them out of the perpetual hibernation they have chosen for themselves. Just today I was reading an article about the Fall of Mr Raju of Satyam and some where he had quoted – “Ordinary people have the capacity to deliver the Extra Ordinary”. Yes that is very true. We have to get out of the Jargons and look for simple terms and ages old systems which helped us to whether all storms. We have to balance the STATE and PEOPLE.

रिश्ते

कुछ सोचते सोचते अचानक रिश्तो पर आकर मन कंही अटक सा गया। अभी कुछ दिनों पहले ही अपने कुछ करीबी लोगो के बिच था। वैसे तो २६ साल पुरानी जान पहचान है पर इन बरसो में कभी ज्तादा घनिष्ठता नही रही। पर उस दिन जो देखा उससे मन काफी व्यथित हो गया और एक इच्छा हुई की अगर कुछ किया जा सके तो जरुर प्रयत्न करना चाहिए। कुछ बताने से पहले उस मित्र और अपने बारे में कुछ बताता चलु - हमारी जान पहचान किसी माध्यम से है - परिवेश एकदम भिन्न - उमर में भी कोई १०/१२ सल् का अन्तर है। मेरी पृष्टभूमि बौधिक और जब परिचय हुआ तब वो शायद कॉलेज में था। पर उस परिवार ने कभी मेरे अस्तित्व को नही स्वीकारा न ही कभी जो मेरे पास था उस का सन्मान किया। उनका दोष भी नही है। उन लोगो का परिवेश भौतिक है और में बुद्धिजीवी जिस वस्तु का वो सन्मान करते है वो मेरे लिए गौण थी और आज भी है। पर जिस माध्यम से परिचय है उस के कारण जीवन भर कुछ न कुछ लेना देना तो लगा ही रहेगा।

इसी क्रम में कोई १२/१३ वर्ष पहले एक फ़ोन आया - उन महाशय के विवाह का निमंत्रण - फ़ोन पर मुझे बताया गया की अन्तर-जातीय विवाह है कोई रिश्तेदार शामिल नही हो रहे अगर आप आना चाहे तो जरुर आए। जिस ने निमंत्रण दिया उन्हें भी कंहा पता था की मैं उस विवाह के कितना पक्ष में हो सकता हूँ। चूँकि उन महासय से पहले से भी कोई बहुत लगाव या बातचीत नही थी सो विवाह मैं शामिल होना एक औपचारिकता मात्र थी। उस दिन भी मुझे लगा था उस ने जो निर्णय लिया है उसमें मैं कितना बड़ा शुभ चिन्तक हो सकता हुँ उसे पता नही था। समय गुजरता रहा और यदा कदा समाचार मिलते रहे ज्यादातर खुशहाली के ही समाचार थे सो मैं भी खुश हो लिया करता था चलो अपना कोई करीबी सुखी जीवन व्यतीत कर रहा है। जिस से विवाह हुआ वह भी किसी ऊंचे सरकारी पद पर आसीन थी सो किसी चिंता की जरुरत भी नही थी। दोनों के परिवारों मैं कंही कोई मेल नही था जैसा की प्रेम-विवाहों मैं अक्सर होता है सो यह कोई चिंता का विषय भी नही था।

पर उस दिन जब मैंने उनके रिश्तो को सिसक सिसक कर चलते देखा तो मन मैं इतनी व्यथा हुई की क्या कहूँ। रहा नही गया तो मैंने उन साहब से बाते की। पहली बार इतनी बात की और शायद उन्हें भी पहली बार महसूस हुआ हो मेरी भवनाओं का।

बातो से जो सामने आया उससे लगा अपने हाथो लोग जीवन नरक सामान क्यों बना लेते है। जब विवाह का निर्णय लिया था तब आज जिन हालातों से गुजर रहे है उनका पूर्वाभास तो था ही। ये तो मालूम ही था की समाज में लीक से अलग हट कर कुछ करेंगे तो कुछ न कुछ कठिनाइयाँ तो आयेगी ही और ज्यादातर अकेले ही जीवन का रास्ता तय करना होगा।

इन्ही बातो ने कुछ विचार मन में पैदा कर दिए। प्रेम विवाह में जब आदमी प्रेम करता है तो शुरु में जब तक प्रेम पुरी तरह परवान चढ़ता है तब तक एक दुसरे के गुण ही गुण देखता है जिन की वजह से प्रेम की शुरुआत होती है और इन्ही के सहारे चल कर दुसरे दौर में पहुँचता है और साथ साथ जीवन बिताने का निर्णय करता है। इस निर्णय में भी दोनों पक्षों में एक बगावत निहित होती है परन्तु दोनों प्रेम में इतने डूबे होते हैं की आगे की कठिनाईयों को जानते हुए भी नज़रंदाज़ कर देते है और साथ जीने मरने की कसमे ले लेते हैं। यंहा तक तो सब कुछ सही ही चलता है पर आज तक वे दोनों अकेले थे, अब कई नए लोग इस सम्बन्ध में जुड़ जाते है। सब का अपना पूर्वाभाश, परिवेश, बौधिक स्तर और मन्यताऐ भी इस में जुड़ जाते है। अब सुरु होता है प्रेम का इम्तेहान। कहने भर को तो दोनों के परिवार पीछे छूट गए थे पर हकीकत में क्या रिश्ते टूट सकते हैं कभी, और इन्ही रिस्तो को छोड़ने और निभाने में एक द्व्दं चलने लग जाता है। ज्यादातर प्रेम विवाह पढ़े लिखे लोगो में ही देखने में आते हैं और उन से अप्पेक्षा रहती है कि वो इसे अच्छी तरह से निभाएं। इसमे वो सक्षम भी हैं पर कंही उनका अहम् उनके सामने आ कर खड़ा हो जाता है। इस अहम् कि भेंट क्या क्या चढ़ जाऐगा उनको इसका भास तक नही हो पाता। ऐसा नही कि वो प्रयत्न नही करते पर शायद अहम् के परदे के कारण साफ़ साफ़ देख नही पाते। धीरे धीरे छोटी छोटी बातें पहाड़ का रूप ले लेती हैं और दूरियां बढ़नी शुरु हो जाती हैं। कंही बच्चे आ गए तो समस्या और विकट हो जाती है।

में इन लोगो से बस इतना ही पूछना चाहता हूँ कि क्या आपके प्रेम में इतना भी बल नही है कि अपना अच्छा बुरा समझ सकें। जिस विस्वास के बल बूते साथ चलने कि कसमे ली थी क्या वो लहरों पर बसे थे। और ज़रा ये तो सोचे कि विफलता का मूल्य क्या होगा। कितने लोगो कि जिन्दगी उजड़ जायेगी। जब चले थे तो सिर्फ़ दो लोगो ने घर समाज से बगावत की और अपनी खुशी के लिए कुछ निर्णय किए। अगर अपने अहम् के इतने अधीन थे तो क्यों जिन्हें पीछे छोड़ दिया था जीवन से जोड़ा।

दोनों तो फिर भी अहम् की तुस्टी के लिए अलग हो सकते है और दुखी होते हुए भी सुखी होने का मुखौटा पहन कर जीवन जीने का ढोंग कर लेंगे, बच्चो और बाकि जो लोग जुड़ गए उनका क्या हाल होगा। क्या वो भी आपके अहम् का मुखौटा पहन सकेंगे। क्या प्रेम इतना कमजोर साबित हुआ कि एक तुच्छ अहम् तक से लड़ नही सका। कंहा साथ जीने मरने के सपने बुन कर इन राहों पर निकल पडे थे जिन पर कांटे नही तो फूल भी तो नही थे।
और हँसी आती है ये देख कर कि समस्या का हल कितना आसान है जरुरत सिर्फ़ संवाद की ही तो है। हाँ इतना जरुर है संवाद उन्ही लोगो के बिच हो जिन्होंने साथ चलने का निर्णय किया था और सभी पूर्वाभाशो से दूर हट कर हो। प्रेम की उस छत्रछाँया में हो जंहा से इस पथ पर चलने की शुरुवात की थी। जिस प्रेम ने ज़माने, समाज से लड़ने का साहस दिया था उसी प्रेम में समस्या को सुलझाने का बल भी है। जरुरत विस्वास और प्रयास की ही है। हमे कोई हक नही है जब चाहा अपने अनुकूल निर्णय ले लिया और स्थितियां प्रतिकूल हो गई तो आसान राह ले कर समस्या से भाग खड़े हो। कितने ही जीवनों को हमारे अहम् की भेंट चढा देँ। कभी ऐसा जरुर हो सकता है कि अपने आप कोई राह न सूझे उस स्थिथि में किसी मित्र कि सहायता ली जा सकती है। हाँ मित्र ऐसा हो जिससे दोनों अपने मन की बात खुल कर कर सके बिना झिझक और डर के। साथ ही मित्र का दोनों के प्रति इमानदार होना भी उतना ही जरुरी है। अंत में हल तो दोनों को ही निकलना है मित्र तो एक सहायक है कुछ राहें दीखाने में जो आज उन लोगो को नही नज़र आ रही। कल शायद वो दोनों इस बात पर हँसे कि इतनी आसान राह भी हमे नज़र नही आई। मेरे अपने अनुभव के आधार पर इतना जरुर कह सकता हूँ एक बार इस तूफान के गुजर जाने के बाद जब भी इस की याद आएगी हँसी आएगी अपने पर। और एक बात प्रेम से बड़ा संसार में कुछ नही है। इसी लिए प्रेम को इश्वर का दूसरा रूप कहा गया है।
इस लेख के माध्यम से अपने मित्र को बताने की एक कोशिश कर रहा हूँ अगर कुछ हल निकल सके उसके जीवन का और दूसरा प्रयास यह है कि शायद किसी और को मेरी बाते अच्छी लगे और इस से मिलते जुलते हालातों में इसे पढ़ कर अपना जीवन बिगड़ने से बचा ले। किसी एक इन्सान के भी ये विचार काम आ सके तो मुझे मेरा प्रयास अत्यन्त सार्थक लगेगा। मेरा पुरा जीवन रिश्तों के इर्द घूमता रहा है और रिश्ते मेरे लिए सर्वोपरि रहे हैं। किसी के काम आ सका तो अपने जीवन को धन्य समझूंगा।

Second Chance At life

This is a very sensitive matter – however, it requires a lot of discussions and thought in the present social scenario. For ages we have been discussing the same – most recent history being the Indian Cultural Reforms days of Raja Ram Mohan Rai – the great reformer’s crusade against - Sati Pratha, Vidhwa Vivah etc. Those were the problem of those times and scince then much progress has been made. In that time separations were rare but in the present time there are more separations compared to death related separation and it is not only concern of Vidhva Vivah but also the other way round. So the Question of second chance at life has become more important today.
With the development of nuclear families and educational progress of women, women have become more career oriented. Education has also resulted in women becoming more enlightened socially, culturally, economically and most importantly personally. They have started recognising their individual needs and aspirations. Nothing wrong with this, but the development is coming at a great price. In most cases it is the woman who pays the price and is called upon to make compromises. There are some cases to the contrary also but they are few. However, in all cases the relationship of the couple as a whole is under tension. This is not acceptable. If continued, we will lose all the values and peace of mind we inherited from the elders, we will lose the FAMILY, HOME and everything that was and is so dear to the majority of Indians.
A house becomes a home with the presence of both man and woman. The Family is complete with both in addition to the children. Our culture has been very Family oriented. In the present race against time this very concept of family is threatened. I’m discussing about second chance so will not delve into the pros and cons of the break-ups and reasons associated with it. Break-ups are very commonplace. There is little resistance to the break-up as compared to a decade or two ago. As a result of the break-up, not only the individual has to live a miserable life, but all others connected with them also have to undergo a living a nightmare everyday of the life after. Agreed, before the break-up the partners might have tried their best to keep the relationship going and as a last resort, with no possible alternatives available, take the decision to part and go through the pains of separation. But this should not be the end of the road.
There are some cases, where one of the partners has to suffer because of no fault on his part.

A very close family member from a very well to-do family of mine married a beautiful girl, and after about 20 days of the marriage the lady left the home with whatever assets she was in control of. Till date the reasons for the break-up are not known.

Another of my close friends again from a very well to-do family married a groom, a NRI, the marriage lasted just few days and resulted in separation. The reason – the groom already had some affair and did not disclose it, he was not even prepared to get out of the affair and agreed to a divorce.

In both the above cases there was a fault with just one partner, and the other did not even get a chance to build or salvage the relationship. These are two cases in the first – apparently it was the lady to be blamed, in the second it was the man. In others there may be a conflict at both the partners’ level. In even worse cases, there are instances of no conflict with either partner, but the problems arise from the extended families on the man’s as well as the woman’s side – and worsening to such an extent as to lead to a break-up. In all these break-ups both partners do deserve a second chance at life. Nature is not very kind though, and people have to go through lifelong pain and agony but they definitely deserve a second chance.

In the case of the lady, cited above, I’m personally trying to provide whatever support I can. We have long discussions – The marriage was not consummated, she feels it is a boon, I differ. The separation is a very long one – she does not feel the need to remarry, I differ. Since the marriage was not consummated, I feel she should get someone who can respect the status – which is highly unlikely. The age factor is also a deterrent, still when I think about it, I feel she should get this chance and feel what real love and family is. She is still in the child bearing stage – I often wonder why she should not mother a child and enjoy the bliss of motherhood. There are so many similar and sundry points we keep on discussing. One thing which has come out of these discussions, in my opinion, is the pain of the separation has reduced to a great extent, and I feel she is also comforted by the thought – at least there is someone who shares the deepest feelings with her. But this is not enough I know – it can only be complete when she gets that someone The Prince Charming, and the life which we so dearly love and to which she also has a right like all of us.

The second chance in absolute terms means remarriage – that is the ultimate, but till that happens, we should have support groups, friends and relatives who can at least provide sufficient emotional, moral and social support – to an extent – almost near to the second chance. This may not be a second chance but it can be a 1¾ or anything greater than 1 chance. Also, if and when, the partners get the second chance, they should consider it a much cherished gift of Nature and forget about all the past baggage they are carrying. They should discuss their strengths and weaknesses with a very open mind before finally getting in to the new relationship, with the consideration that – they are getting a second chance – but still if they are unable to make the best of this – probably there won’t be a third chance. There may be children, relatives and many other issues – everything has a solution, a way out. It should be an obligation to Nature, for the people connected, to see to it that this way out is seen by the concerned partners. It is said that relationships are based on compromises – why not both be equally prepared to compromise leaving the egos behind. Also it is said – Love has tremendous Power. Let the power of Love rule the mind, the id and ego. We Indians have a lot of faith in worshiping Gods and God-men, if we can be helpful in even one such reunion, we would have achieved the real fruits of the worship.

It is a humane duty of all concerned to ease the path for this chance. It will need a lot of commitment, understanding, support and sacrifice to be helpful to the separated souls in order for them to get the chance and then to build a relationship out of it. But believe me they do deserve this chance. They have a right to it like all of us.

Economic Turmoil and Human Resource Management

Every day we open our eyes in the morning with the news of the Economic Break-down. This is a fact and cannot be denied. In economics parlance it is a cyclic thing and bound to repeat many times. There are attendant problems, hardships, rethinking, re-alignment and so on and so forth. When the bottom lines are at stake, no other thinking has any place but to think of survival and when it becomes a question of survival – it is natural to fight back all-out.
In such a scenario – the HR processes definitely are under extreme pressure. The most common solutions – as is evident from the actions of many Global Corporations – large scale retrenchments of the work force.
Is this the only solution? This question has made me think about the whole HR process and Employee- Employer relationship. Are we the same people who in the flourishing times call employees as the most important asset of an organisation? By mass lay-offs – we are safeguarding the physical assets and laying-off the Human Assets, can this be considered prudent by any line of sane thinking? And who is to blame for this line of thinking? Probably – The HR Advisors have to take the majority of the blame. Why cannot we think beyond the easy alternatives? It may be difficult to take the alternative routes – agreed – but looking beyond the crisis – the results will be something un-imaginable.
Both the Top Management and the HR experts have to sit down and think of possibilities of saving both the physical as well as Human Resources – then only we can say we have learned and mastered the art and science of HR management.
There are n numbers of top notch experts in the field and they definitely must be working overtime to tide over the situation. Compared to them – I’m a non entity to even ponder over the issue, leave alone daring to even think on the issue, but the state of affairs do agitate me to the core to at least voice what I feel.
As written in my earlier articles on HR – I belong to a typical Marwari Businessmen Family and my school and college starts at home first, then beyond. Over the years, my education and attitude towards life has compelled me to think and rethink on issues beyond my professional capabilities. Everytime I delve inside, something new seems possible. In the present case also, the traditional Marwari System of HR management holds a lot of promises. I won’t get in to the details here as, I’m not trying to provide a solution for the issue at hand but instead the attempt is to initiate an alternative line of thinking. In the Marwari system of Management, though it was devoid of any modern day professionalism, it had solutions for almost every situation and especially HR management was probably the best part of the system. Retrenchment never had a place in the system. Still they could tide over a lot of storms.
I feel a very similar approach in the Japanese system, various discussions with peers and family members have indicated – How the Japanese Corporations value their Human Resources and the ways of overcoming the hurdles by both the Employees and the Employers. In case of Germany also, I feel their systems should also be very good, as, though laid-back, their performance and results are any day commendable. I’m not sure of the actions and policies of the Japanese in times of Turmoil, but in normal times, on firsthand experience, I can say they work very much parallel to the Marwari system. In case of economic difficulties faced by companies, there are instances of voluntary acceptance of LOWER WAGES by employees by mutual consent between the Employees and Employers. This is just one example – the modalities may be difficult – but the end result is definitely something to be emulated. It is a question of trust and care. Commanding and building confidences. Measures based on Humane considerations.
First we have to identify the problems, sit down and think and rethink, decide the priorities and at the core believe in what we say – Employees are the Biggest and most Valuable Assets of an Organisation. If so then an attempt to save it should be the TOP PRIORTY of the organisation.
The other way round, if retrenchment is taken recourse to – just imagine the fall-out, psychological pressures on the employees and their families, the after effects and the overall impact on the system. As such the situation is grim and in such circumstances a lay-off notice definitely cannot be considered Humane by any standard, leave aside justified. The Government should also contribute its two bits in tiding over the situation. A small example of the Government’s role – in case of adjustments of financial aspects – a prorata effect should temporarily be considered by Government in Taxes – both direct and in-direct. Making the government understand is not an easy task, but then for what do we have the Trade Associations and Chambers of Commerce. This is just an example and not as easy as it is said, but the time we are talking about is also not easy either. We need highly innovative solutions for extraordinary situation and looking to the present scenario – what more extraordinary situation can be imagined. We are fighting with our backs to the wall and facing a Break-down of the system. A situation where the Survival is at Stake.

Legalising - Live-in Relationships

A huge debate is going on around the country on legalising live-in relationships vis-a-vis marriage. Everyone has his own opinion depending on his preferences, upbringing, individual sexual exposure & experience, and background. Some state governments are in the process of formulating some laws to legalise it.
Live-in relationships – what exactly is a live-in and for what ends? As far as I understand, it is a relationship of convenience – in that case, is it justified to call it a relation at all. A relationship is based on mutual trust, sharing and caring, understanding and most of all giving without the expectation of a return. It is not a trade partnership where in we have defined assets and liabilities share. Relationships are based on Love, mutual or one sided. In case of mutual love – we almost touch the havens, whereas in case of one-sided love – over time it gets converted into mutual love only. Any relationship devoid of Love can never be called a relationship. Marriage also is a relationship, at least in India, and is never without love. Many people may argue over this, but ultimately they will have to accept the fact that it is not without love. In case of arranged marriages, it can be argued, how this relationship is based on love. True, at the start an arranged marriage is based on the convenience of the two families rather than the partners. The partners first start connecting sexually and gradually move on to LOVE. Our centuries old experience suggests it to be the most successful social institution. If everything is so simple and nice, then why at all we have divorces? There are exceptions; there is always a chance of things going sour. Here also the presence of love cannot be denied, only it is over-shadowed by other priorities. In most cases both the partners are equally responsible for the mishap, in a fewer number of cases only one partner may be at fault. This does not render the institution of marriage invalid.
The live-in concept is born out of this unfortunate mishap. The legal and social implications, the attendant cumbersome processes, both legal and financial, the time frame and above all the psychological toll on the individuals all add to favour a Live-in relationship instead of marriage. But the biggest fault with this is – even before starting – we are preparing for separation. The primary assumption here is – in case something goes wrong, in case things do not work out the way we want, in case we are not sexually compatible, in case ...., in case... so many in cases. With so many in cases – it is absurd to assume we will build a relationship at all. The most evident reason to get into a live-in relationship seems to be SEX and to some extent sharing some emotional ground. Here we do not recognise the fact that – A man trades emotions for SEX and a woman trades SEX for emotions. They may both enjoy the sexual aspect but the means and ends are at opposing ends. A man initiates emotionally to fulfil his sexual desires whereas a woman grants some sexual liberties to fulfil her emotional desires. Ultimately both reach the centre of the road – to enjoy sexual bliss.
Probably, this sexual aspect and the attendant pleasure is at the core of this man-woman relationship. In the animal world, sex is not for pleasure; rather it is a procreation activity. That is why they have mating seasons and unlike humans they do not engage in sexual activity at will and at any time. As humans, we have evolved and the compulsions of population explosion around the world have separated sex from procreation. In modern times, there is a significant percentage of population which engage in sex only for pleasure.
Nothing wrong with it, but where is the need of redefining the social institutions. We have had live-ins for centuries; even polygamy was a type of live-in only. Over time we have discarded polygamy in favour of monogamy. With legalising – live-ins we are going back in time and reverting to polygamy. Instead of multiple partners at the same time (Parallel Relationship) – we will have series of multiple partners one after the other (Serial Relationship). In case one relationship fails – we part ways – again fly like a freebee and get in to a new relationship, again we fail to live up to the new relationship – part ways and go on and on. In the process we would have robbed everything out of the relationship but for SEX. What will be the fate of the children born out of such Serial affairs is anybody’s guess. May be by resolving a small issue of divorce/separation, we will end up with much bigger issues in the future. Across the world what percentage of population subscribes to this system is anybody’s guess. For a small and insignificant percentage of supporters we want to disturb the whole institution and rock the very foundations of the Indian Culture is something beyond comprehension.
These are my views – many people may disagree with this line of thinking but I’m sure a larger part will agree with this. Let’s hope wisdom prevails and things work out well keeping the very foundations of our system intact.

Cyber Relationships & Social Net-working.
I’ve been net connected for quite some time. A very happily married man of 54 and having an extremely good and settled life. Due to my background, education and interests – have been in touch with my generation and the current generation. This has given me the opportunity to be in touch, and up to date, with all the so called in-things also.
Of the many in-things of the net revolution – in India at least, the social net-working and net friendship/relationship have developed to a considerable level. Many paid and free sites and net-works are in vogue. Lot of financial involvement is also there. One good thing which is happening is the opening up of an avenue where-in many people are benefited, though not without the attendant extreme risks of the net-connected world. Many liaisons are also made in the cyber space both for the better and worse.
In my various outings in this cyber world, many times in pop-ups, some social networking, adult friendship type ads also do pop up and raise my curiosity. I’ve joined some and found nothing of substance and subsequently left all. Still time and again keep visiting these sites to see what is happening around, how people are using/abusing it. The most prominent attitude, I have observed is, the cyber world is without any boundaries or limits, the extreme dominance of pent-up sex related feelings and ideas, adventures and/or misadventures. Most of the liaisons start with sex as a basic inbuilt component. The tone and demeanour looks mostly out of the fantasy world. I often wonder whether they will help us or destroy the social fabric we have inherited from our past. Are the basics of the Indian Psyche threatened? This also brings to mind a question from a very interesting book from Reader’s Digest – The book of QUESTIONS. In the book around 100 odd questions were there – which have no answers: for example – If you know your invention is going to kill some people but benefit most of the human race – will you go for the invention? There cannot be any correct answer to this question as the answers will be very individual. In the context of the cyber relationships also I find a strong similarity.
I also braved this space and explored to find some such contacts to have fun/entertainment or live out some fantasies (at least in the cyber-space) but did not have any success at all. Maybe I was not very keen to touch base and so the efforts were minimal but from what I read about the cyber-space, it should have been other-wise. Anyway I’ve no regrets.
Recently though I received a friend request from an unknown lady, a divorcee of 30 somethings. Just like that I accepted the request and started on my way to a fantastic new experience.
The beginnings were very restrained on both parts with the usual mistrust of the cyber world. Gradually it turned out to be an excellent experience. The present thought of – SHARING AND CARING is born out of this experience which I want to share with whoever is interested in, with the hope it helps someone.
On my part, as the aim was fun/entertainment/experience the expectations were minimal. There was nothing specific I was looking at. May be my curiosity was the only motivator. The same can be said for her – let me call her ‘R’. As we started the exchange of mails, chats on messenger and other communications – I could feel a volcano of hidden feelings in R. Belonging to a good family and well educated, R seemed to be in a perfect physical and mental state but for a small mishap of the divorce. Though she had already come out of the traumatic experience, still it has dented her overall beliefs in life. I could feel a well of feelings raring to be shared. Her beliefs and abilities, her mental assets and liabilities, her feelings, her emotions all waiting to be shared, reconfirmed, augmented. We have a big gap in the age still I could feel everything and she could empathise with me. From the beginning we were sure of a cyber relationship and nothing beyond; still the intensity of the shared feelings is beyond imagination.
This has provoked me to mull over the need for support groups. We have many help-lines, social support groups and other counselling alternatives but are they enough? Are they within reach of people in need? It has also raised the questions of support available from friends and family. Are we running too fast and after something insignificant and paying the heavy price by losing everything else in the bargain? It worries me to think of the future this life-style is leading us to. I’ve heard many times – Joy shared MULTIPLYS and Anguish shared DIVIDES. This is perfectly right, but where are the people with whom to share and where is THE reliability and confidence to do that? Why have we become so self cantered that we have lost everything else, neither are we a part of anyone’s life nor anyone else is a part of us, even in case of married couples many a times this absence of sharing is observed. Is this leading us to a mentally and emotionally bankrupt state? The situation seems grim though, but not beyond redemption. There is light at the end of the tunnel. First we have to take the lead, initiate and start sharing and caring – we will definitely get the same in return. Whatever the society has given us, we have to return with our added inputs. We have to look closer home for this and be open. Look around our own surroundings and be liberal and open to allow people to get in our shell.
We also have to change the attitude of fun/fantasies as a use of the cyber media – instead use it as a tool for betterment of life. The inventor’s of this space have given us a fantastic opportunity to make the best use of the medium. Let’s not waste it for living out sexual fantasies and pent-up frustrations. The available sexual exposure may please momentarily, and there is no harm in the momentary enjoyment but we have to be matured enough to filter out the permanent effects of the potential damage. Else it should better be refrained from. We have to grow-up and educate ourselves to openly discuss between friends on the TABOO subject and make most considered choice for such exposure.

MIND & BODY - HEART & SOUL

You must have heard the Song - Mind & Body - Heart & Soul - probably the lyricists' also didn't have in mind what this has provoked in my mind. I don't know for sure.

Apart from physical existence - what differentiates Humans from all other living beings are - feelings, emotions, ability to relate and communicate with other living beings and above all looking beyond existence. Plants, Animals all are living things and for existence - nature has arranged everything as per the individuals needs. Plants are immobile - almost without any motor function still nature has arranged for there life and existence, maintaining there immobile status. Animals share a bit more with humans - they have feelings, emotions on a finer level compared to plants but much inferior to Humans. And Humans - it is a fantastic creation of the ALMIGHTY.

How complex a system he has designed and built, the physical working at one level, enough to make one wonder, as if that was not enough, the different parts, mind, body features, internal organs and the overall system - how it is designed to work individually and as a whole. There is enough to keep wondering and still reaching no where. In the context of Mind and Body...... Heart and Soul again this makes me wonder about a lot.

Mind is a Organ and has a shape, existence and defined function. Same is the case with Body. But in case of Heart - (not the blood pumping organ) and Soul, they do not have any physical form or existence any defined functionality still - look at the similarity of both the duo. On the conscious level all feelings relate to Mind and most of the instructions are implemented by the Body. The maintenance of the Mind in perfect order again rests with the Body. On the unconscious level - the same thing is happening in the other pair - Heart is doing much the same as the Mind and Soul the same as Body. The only difference is at the conscious and unconscious level - visible level or physical level. When some one feels elated - we say "dil khus hua" - but the Dil we refer here is not the physical heart instead the proverbial heart.

At the conscious Mind & Body level we have so many rules, methodologies, preferences, biases, inhibitions, reservations and so on. On the other hand at the Heart & Soul level how free we are. All the impossibilities of the M&B levels are perfectly possible at the H&S level. A highly educated human being may never associate with so many things, because of so many factors at the M&B level, but can easily do every thing which he is not able to at the M&B level, on the H&S level. I may want to own the Tajmahal at the M&B level and know this is a impossibility and live in despair for the rest of my life, but if I can understand the H&S level, feel it, I will be a satisfied owner of The Tajmahal and live a very satisfied life. What difference it can make. And if one can have some communication between the two - M&B and H&S, how blissful life can be. Probably all dreamers, poets, writers are able to do it easily. Even scientists definitely are not untouched by this. It may only be a case of ego or courage to accept it as it is.

Probably the folk lore - heroes of LOVE - Romeo-Juliet, Heer Ranjha all had a permanent Hot line between the two. The dream relationships, platonic relationships, ideal love, Radha Krishna, Meera - Krishna all have a definite element of this understanding of the M&B and H&S inter connect. Probably, human relationships, love, hate most needs the understanding of the existence of this duo. Understanding and realization of this may lead to a much enriched life, "dharti par swarag", "atma aur parmatma" all seem to be a realization of this.

There may be so many things we may not be able to feel or live at the M&B level, we can live those and feel those things at the H&S level and have an equally satisfying experience. Similarly, the pains, trauma suffered at the M&B level can be relived at the H&S level, analyzed and forgiven and forgotten at the H&S level. It is very difficult or rather impossible to do so at the M&B level and it will keep on coming back at this level. Once transferred to the H&S level and resolved there, how easy it will be to come out of the pain and trauma. It leads again to the greatness of the Almighty to have thought of the parallel creation of the duo.

The more we delve inside and try to discover the workings, the more newer realizations come out.