Corporate India gears up for a taste of politics

After the Mumbai Massacre, everybody is so fed up of politicians that they have started wishing there was an altenative to the corrupt people. I had even given a suggestion in one of our post that our industrialists should start thinking of entering politics.

I am pleased to note that others have thought on the same lines and we are now seeing concrete results from Pune, as published in "Business Line"

I wish them all success. They will be a breath of fresh air.



Radheshyam

Corporate India gears up for a taste of politics
Floats political party; targets educated, urban middle class in major cities.
Alka Kshirsagar
Pune, Dec. 12 Running companies to playing a role in running the country may not have been the most logical progression, but a band of professionals with successful careers in the corporate world believe that this is the road to good governance.
To facilitate the transition from business heads to managers in the political arena, the 20-strong group has recently floated the Professionals Party of India (PPI).
Headquartered in Pune and registered with the Election Commission of India under the Representation of the People Act this August, the PPI intends to field 10 candidates under its banner during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. Group of ‘professionals’
“The PPI is not a personality-driven endeavour. It is driven by progressive minded professionals,” emphasises Mr R.V. Krishnan, Managing Director of a market research and management consultancy firm and President of the fledgling political entity.
The chemical engineer, who had a long stint with Thermax before he set up his enterprise, believes that it is time that qualified professionals — hapless and helpless bystanders to mismanagement in the affairs of the country — became more pro-active in governance. Urban ground
The main constituency for the PPI is the educated urban middle class living in the four metros, 24 State capitals, 20 Tier-1 and 12 Tier-II cities.
“This group is 250-300 million strong. Even if half of them are voters, and a quarter of those eligible to vote cast their vote, it will make a huge difference,” asserts Mr Krishnakumar Iyer, CEO, MindIT, and PPI’s spokesperson.
The party has identified the Internet and SMS as effective but low-cost communication channels to reach its voter base. It lists achievement, visibility and clean track record as required qualifications for eligible candidates.
With five chapters in Pune, Navi Mumbai, Nashik, Chennai and Bangalore and as many more in Valsad, Faridabad and Aurangabad in the offing, the PPI’s foray into the political arena is catching on.
“Over 10,000 people from all walks of life have registered on our Web site,” says Mr Krishnakumar, adding that the list of supporters is growing and has especially gained momentum after the recent Mumbai terror attacks.

Viruses and Malwares

I have been posting articles which I come across to help you keep your computer free of viruses and malwares.
Here is another article from "Business Line" which helps you to identify the different modes of attack.
I have found that the best method is not to open any mails from unknown sources and not to accept any invitation from anybody to join any group of social network.
Now that Christmas and New Year is near, you will be getting many mails to open links to cards. Delete them immediately.
Radheshyam

Now, security attacks take the guise of topical news, events of social importance and major festivities.
R. Savitha

Pune, Dec. 12 Christmas shopping online has become increasingly popular, with a large number of people researching gift ideas before purchasing on the high street.
According to a recent report (source Google), 66 per cent of shoppers say they are more likely to shop online for Christmas presents this year, 77 per cent plan to carry out half or more of their Christmas shopping online and 86 per cent will research Christmas shopping on the Internet before buying in-store.
Talking to Business Line, Mr Manish Bansal, Marketing Manager, Websense Software Services India Pvt Ltd, said that last year, there were many incidences of simple phishing attacks, compelling people to divulge their personal information.

Now, security attacks not only exploit vulnerabilities in software that may or may not require user interaction but also take the guise of topical news, events of social importance and major festivities.
Websense has discovered two Trojan dropping security attacks created around Christmas festivities.Top 5 Attacks

Mr Manish said the top 5 attack methods are the Drive-by, which infect users without interaction and their knowledge. Browsing an infected Christmas-themed Web site could allow code to be executed that exploits vulnerabilities in software installed on that machine, which could be the browser itself, to the operating system, to third-party plug-ins.

The second is Fancy Dress disguise, where the user is sent an e-mail containing an image usually linked to a theme. For example, it could be a mail of a jolly Christmas Father which could have malicious URLs containing links to malware or exploit code, which when clicked can cause serious problems for the user.

The third is the Dancing Decoy, an e-mail lure containing a distraction for the user, i.e. screensaver, picture, animation. For example, an e-mail showing snowflakes falling catches the user’s eyes, while a backdoor Trojan is installing. The user is only aware of the image and has no knowledge of what is happening in the background. Watch out for fun-looking videos hosted on Web sites, which could unleash something which is not expected.Anti-virus lure

The fourth is not the real deal, which lures people to download, access or install malicious Web site or application. When browsing on the Web, a redirect may occur that generates a pop-up explaining that the computer may be infected and asks whether to perform a free anti-virus scan and the results make claims of a viral presence on your machine. The aim is to encourage the user to download the fake AntiVirus Software. When activated, a Trojan is downloaded, allowing hackers control over the machine.

The fifth is slipping down the chimney, a new Internet attack vector that could allow the bad guys to slip past anti-virus protection. The technique, called script fragmentation, involves breaking down malware into smaller pieces in order to beat malware analysis engines, and could potentially render desktop and gateway anti-virus products useless.Benign code

Mr Manish said that malware authors write benign client code and embed it in a Web page, which contains no actual malicious content. When a user visits the Web page, the Java Script would request more code from other Web servers – a few bytes at a time.

This means the user’s gateway anti-virus engine sees only a few seemingly innocuous bytes. Once received, the bytes are stored until all the information has been transferred, then it creates a script element and the exploit is triggered, which disables the machine.

Suki Sivam

I have received this from a colleague in office.

Radheshyam

Inspiring talk by Suki Sivam, an orator par excellence.

Some gems from his talk: 

·         Ramaswamy Udayar was the first CM of Tamil nadu. He wrote a letter to Delhi Central Govt where he spelt the word  ‘opinion’ wrongly. His PA corrected the mistake and brought it to him for signature. Ramaswamy Udayar said , “They want my opinion and not yours! And if I had made a mistake let Delhi know the TN CM did not know English; no point hiding that.”

·         Be yourself.

·         We always think “what will others think?’ that is totally  unnecessary. A doctor told a boy he was pregnant; to which the boy replied, “my God! I am not married. What will others think?”

·         Osho saying:  “Words are mine; meaning is yours.”

·         Rain is white when it hits the ground; depending on color of soil it becomes a different  color.

·         When we hear something we may attribute a totally different meaning; once in a college I said, “The principal of this college is an old student of the same college.” I said this with pride. I heard one boy murmur to another, “Did I not tell you? If you study here you won’t get a good job outside!”.

·         Some one asked me which was my best speech; I replied ‘My next speech.” We need to constantly improve. Not rest on yesterday’s laurels.

·         Our students follow the Bhagwad Geeta; they never bother about results!

·         Everything is in the way you look.

·         Two farmers were building a house in a near by village and there was an earthquake. Both houses which were under construction, were destroyed. One died of heart attack. Another distributed sweets. He said, “Let me thank God for bringing in the earthquake when I was building the house and not after I had moved in my family. Now we are all safe due to His grace.” Same disaster but different outlooks.

·         A Mullah was selling donkeys. He said one is valued Rs 500 and the other Rs 1000. He will only tell the buyer after he has paid the money why the difference in price. One fellow paid for both and asked Mullah why. Mullah said the latter one has eaten a Rs 500 note!

·         Tanjore doll was  invented by Budha’s key disciple Bodhi Dharma- to educate us that whatever is our extent of fall we should bounce back in life.

·         A fellow can be very happy if he gets Rs 95 lakhs profit or cry saying it is Rs 5 lakhs short of his budget!

·         A Sufi saint was on a ship and ship got into a storm. Everyone started praying and also asked the saint to pray. Saint did not. After some time storm cleared and every one was critical of the saint.  He said “what you are doing is commerce with God! I will not do commerce; He knows when and where I should die.”

·         TV has many channels; you get to see the channel you have tuned; it is upto us to fine tune our life.    

Basant Lama

Where is Basant Lama ? I'm unable to contact him either by land line or cellphone. I've sent him several mails without any response. Sushil Dixit has informed that Basant has written a book on Darjeeling. Can Sushil give me the whereabouts of Basant as well as the address from where the book can be purchased. Knowing the witty nature of Basant, his writing will definitely be a pleasure to read.

SIGNS

Those who have seen slogans behind trucks must have come across some really funny ones.
Dr. Santosh Agarwal has sent some hilarious ones here from different places.
Radheshyam
SIGNS
Sign over a
Gynecologist's Office:
'Dr. Jones, at your cervix.'
**************************
In a Podiatrist's office:
'Time wounds all heels.'
**************************
On a Septic Tank Truck:
Yesterday's Meals on Wheels
**************************
On a Plumber's truck:
'We repair what your
husband fixed.'
**************************
On another Plumber's truck:
'Don't sleep with a
drip. Call your plumber.'
**************************
On a Church's Bill board:
'7 days without God
makes one weak.'
**************************
At a Tyre Store
'Invite us to your
next blowout.'
**************************
On an Electrician's truck:
'Let us remove your shorts.'
**************************
In a Non-smoking
Area:
'If we see smoke,
we will assume you are on fire
and take appropriate action.'
**************************
On a Maternity Room door:
'Push. Push. Push.'
**************************
At an Optometrist's Office:
'If you don't see
what you're looking for,
you've come to the right place.'
**************************
On a Taxidermist's window:
'We really know our stuff.'
**************************
On a Fence:
'Salesmen welcome!
Dog food is expensive!'
**************************
At a Car Dealership:
'The best way to
get back on your feet -
miss a car payment.'
**************************
Outside a Car Exhaust Store:
'No appointment necessary.
We hear you coming.'
**************************
In a Vets waiting room:
'Be back in 5 minutes.
Sit! Stay!'
**************************
In a Restaurant window:
'Don't stand there
and be hungry; come on in and get fed up.'
**************************
In the front yard of a Funeral Home:
'Drive carefully.
We'll wait.'
**************************
And don't forget the
sign at a
RADIATOR
SHOP:
'Best place in town
to take a leak.'
**********************
Sign on the back of
yet another
Septic Tank
Truck:
'Caution - This
Truck is full of Political Promises'

Dr.Binod Khattry

Election - USA style and the Indian Style

Mr. B.S.Raghavan has given a very concise and touching style of the presidential election recently held in the United States. He has rightly praised the method of election and the sporting spirit and generous attitude of the two contestants towards each other after the results were finally declared.
Mr. Raghavan has questioned why elections in India cannot be held in the same manner. That is a very pertinent question. Mr. Raghavan is definitely aware that the historical background of the two countries is very different. In America the two party system has been followed since the inception of the electoral process, where the President is vested with complete and total power. It is not so India. India is plagued with many drawbacks. Regional feeling, religious affinity, casteism and many other factors which make Indian elections a frighteningly complex circus. In North Indian states, which control Indian politics, the elections are controlled by the mafia. Almost all MPs elected from these states are criminals - dacoits, thugs, murderers, smugglers. The administration has been purchased by them. If anyone is foolhardy enough to refuse to toe their line, he is eliminated. All the six MPs, who were convicted of murder (blog 19/8/08), have been let out of jail and are continuing their criminal activities with full vigour. No media person has the guts to report their activities.
In the U.S., if a person running for election has a criminal record, he is hounded out of the race. In a report published in the TOI in the recent Chhatisgarh election, there were 53 candidates having criminal records. A criminal held in jail for murder can win an election in India.
In most north Indian states, it is muscle power that wins elections. In Pappu Yadav's constituency, one has to vote for him, although he may be lodged in jail for murder and extortion. Or else you'll get a bullet through your head. The Election Commission has no power to ban a criminal from being a candidate. Laws will have to be changed in India, otherwise no matter how much we criticise or abuse the government for non-governance, things will remain the same. New laws will have to be introduced, barring criminals from running for the election. There should be a minimum criteria for a candidate, the most important of which is the person should not have any criminal record and should be honest. This should be imposed on all parties to bring
about a sea-change in the political atmosphere of the nation. The dirt and filth must be washed out to encourage decent honest persons to take control of the nation.

The tragedy of 26/11

I'm back in the blog after almost two months for reasons beyond my control. It is with a heavy heart that I sit and recollect the tragic massacre of innocent people in Mumbai just a fortnight astgo. No word is sufficient enough to console the near and dear ones of those killed in that unmindful massacre. May their souls rest in peace.
What went wrong on that tragic day of 26th Nov., we don't know. Who are accountable for security lapses that led to the tragedy, that also I'm not interested in. Because, there were lapses, undoubtedly, as confirmed by Mr. P.C.Chidambaram. My demand is for removable of all security personnel from MPs and MLAs, except for the Prime Minister and the President. The Supreme Court has rightly commented that politicians are expendable, they don't require any security. Politicians are servants of the aam aadmi, hence they should mix with the aam aadmi, and not harrass them with their security. Imagine the likes of criminal Pappu Yadav strutting about with a dozen Black Cats. If they are so afraid of their lives, they should remain in their house. Security is required by the aam aadmi, which our unconcerned government has failed to
provide.
The TV channels exposed their shameless unconcern for the aam aadmi when the only places they covered were the Taj Hotel, the Trident and Nariman House. Their main focus was on The Taj, as if the terrorists had only targeted this hotel. The TV commentators were so hysterical and dramatic in their comments as if they were covering a super suspense blockbuster. They ignored the 60 odd dead in the CST. Why ? Was it because they were only ordinary people in simple ordinary dresses travelling in trains and not in sedans and aeroplanes ? They were the aam aadmi with no social status. They were the forgotten faces. The TV channels never bothered to cover the tragedy that engulfed the CST. And these people talk big. Not a single newspaper covered the tragic massacre of the aam aadmi in the CST. Their only concern was for the rich who waddled in filthy money, who have no concern for the have nots. This is a shame on the media persons. The tragedy has exposed the beggarly condition of the Indian media in time of crisis. The hollowness of their pride in exposing the truth and standing by the aam aadmi has been exposed. The Indian media is no longer to be trusted. They have been purchased by the rich and the powerful.