An adolescent died last week in Mumbai. Initially ruled as a suicide, the parents had the courage to come out and say it was actually "the choking game" that killed the child. Children - typically between the ages of 9 and 16 - deprive their brain of Oxygen for a momentary high they get.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDA3LzEyLzE5I0FyMDAxMDA=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom
You can see more on this at
http://www.stop-the-choking-game.com/en/home.asp
including a video going through the scenario.
Some yoga practices too require the holding of energy inside the body through various locks - e.g. Mahabandh. The net effect of some of them is a reduction in the amount of Oxygen going to the brain. Is that too harmful - at what point does one draw the boundary. The video referred to above says that at 3 minutes of Oxygen deprivation, brain cells start dying irreversibly. At 5 minutes, the brain may stop functioning. Are yoga practices that involve bandhs for a minute or two OK, or are they harmful. Everyone needs to make this decision themselves. The takeaway is - when in doubt, do less, rather than more.
One final thought - may be it is time to teach yoga to children for more reasons. Yes, they can get what they want, but in an environment that is not dangerous to them.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Saturday, December 8, 2007
The Wild West called Gujarat
In its December 8, 2007 edition, San Jose Mercury News has an article titled "Hindu official's re-election push alarms muslims."
It is an article on Narendra Mody, the CM of Gujarat, who is running for re-election. The article implies that he had a hand in the massacre of Muslims in the period after Godhra.
But, they neglect to mention the real events going on in India, which have spurred discussions in the media. When I started reading this SJMN article, I expected to read about the same controversy - but did not get it.
Last week, at a campaign rally, he incited the crowd by justifying a fake-encounter killing of someone called Sohrabuddin - an alleged terrorist. He asked the audience - "so what do you do when you find someone like this." The crowd chanted "kill-him." Modi then accepted credit. (http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/dec/05gujpoll5.htm). The fact that it was a fake encounter is proven. The government itself has agreed. The IPS officer who led that encounter is now in jail.
Different media articles mention that when this particular IPS officer was around, lots of terrorist plots to kill Modi were discovered, arms caches were found, and terrorists dealt with, extra-judically. Since this person was sent to jail, those things have reduced drastically. Everyone can draw their own conclusions about it - maybe other officers are not as vigilant, or that this officer was driving a political agenda.
Comments from readers on these articles, on the other hand, are overwhelmingly supportive of Modi. Supportive of this stance, not of his ability to govern the state, the economic miracle he has crated, and his clean image (corruption-wise).
What these writers don't realize is that once they legitimize the monster of fake-encounter killings, they are handing over executive, legislative and judicial power to the same people. How can we be sure that this power won't be used against other individuals and communities in the future. Are we converting a part of India into the Wild West?
It is an article on Narendra Mody, the CM of Gujarat, who is running for re-election. The article implies that he had a hand in the massacre of Muslims in the period after Godhra.
But, they neglect to mention the real events going on in India, which have spurred discussions in the media. When I started reading this SJMN article, I expected to read about the same controversy - but did not get it.
Last week, at a campaign rally, he incited the crowd by justifying a fake-encounter killing of someone called Sohrabuddin - an alleged terrorist. He asked the audience - "so what do you do when you find someone like this." The crowd chanted "kill-him." Modi then accepted credit. (http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/dec/05gujpoll5.htm). The fact that it was a fake encounter is proven. The government itself has agreed. The IPS officer who led that encounter is now in jail.
Different media articles mention that when this particular IPS officer was around, lots of terrorist plots to kill Modi were discovered, arms caches were found, and terrorists dealt with, extra-judically. Since this person was sent to jail, those things have reduced drastically. Everyone can draw their own conclusions about it - maybe other officers are not as vigilant, or that this officer was driving a political agenda.
Comments from readers on these articles, on the other hand, are overwhelmingly supportive of Modi. Supportive of this stance, not of his ability to govern the state, the economic miracle he has crated, and his clean image (corruption-wise).
What these writers don't realize is that once they legitimize the monster of fake-encounter killings, they are handing over executive, legislative and judicial power to the same people. How can we be sure that this power won't be used against other individuals and communities in the future. Are we converting a part of India into the Wild West?
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Population Growth in India
In the 70's, India's growing population was an issue of concern everywhere, including India. Over time, this concern has disappeared, to be replaced by excitement about the growing population. India has successfully converted its population from a liability to an asset. Greater population means more consumers, and more workers. India is pointed out as having a greater potential for success compared to its fellow emerging economy - China. The reason is that India's population is younger, and many more people in India will enter the workforce in the next few years.
There is no evidence, however, that population is not going to be a problem. There is a little more on this at:
http://sai-os.blogspot.com/2007/06/is-population-growth-on-planet-no.html
Today's Financial Times carried on OpEd piece by Victor Mallet. It is available on many websites, including this one.
http://in.rediff.com/money/2007/dec/06utop.htm
Here are important points:
There is no evidence, however, that population is not going to be a problem. There is a little more on this at:
http://sai-os.blogspot.com/2007/06/is-population-growth-on-planet-no.html
Today's Financial Times carried on OpEd piece by Victor Mallet. It is available on many websites, including this one.
http://in.rediff.com/money/2007/dec/06utop.htm
Here are important points:
- "The population surge that will increase the workforce to 800m by 2016 and make India the world's most populous nation - may turn out to be more of a threat than an opportunity."
- "Who will create the jobs to absorb the net increase of 71m young people of working age over the next five years? Most are poorly educated and only a fraction will find regular work.
- It questions about their impact on the supply of water and fuel.
- Eventually, these people will retire; who will take care of them
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Spousal violence against men
A survey of women in Ahmedabad, mentioned 58 percent of women in Ahmedabad suffered significant mental distress, with marital disharmony being the leading cause. The causes found in the survey are covered in
http://isai-os.blogspot.com/2007/10/marriage-makes-wrecks-of-58-percent-of.html
Interesting, if you look at the survey, a number of items in the list apply to women's abuse of men too. If men doing it to women is considered violence, then certainly women doing it to men should also be considered violence. (Magenta colored text is from the original post - some of the items that were listed under violence by men against women)
Sexual violence
56% were deprived of sex [if deprivation of sex is considered violence by women, then I would like to see who is the perpetrator of more violence - women, or men]
Emotional violence
70% report verbal abuse, threats [women may not resort to verbal abuse, but it would be interesting to contrast threats from the two genders against each other, in marriage]
62% report lack of support and appreciation [both genders probably complain about the same thing - is this really violence?]
Intellectual violence
69% excluded from decision-making [what do you do, when someone absolutely refuses from participating in decision-making. That may not be violence, but it certainly is not in the spirit of a marriage.]
http://isai-os.blogspot.com/2007/10/marriage-makes-wrecks-of-58-percent-of.html
Interesting, if you look at the survey, a number of items in the list apply to women's abuse of men too. If men doing it to women is considered violence, then certainly women doing it to men should also be considered violence. (Magenta colored text is from the original post - some of the items that were listed under violence by men against women)
Sexual violence
56% were deprived of sex [if deprivation of sex is considered violence by women, then I would like to see who is the perpetrator of more violence - women, or men]
Emotional violence
70% report verbal abuse, threats [women may not resort to verbal abuse, but it would be interesting to contrast threats from the two genders against each other, in marriage]
62% report lack of support and appreciation [both genders probably complain about the same thing - is this really violence?]
Intellectual violence
69% excluded from decision-making [what do you do, when someone absolutely refuses from participating in decision-making. That may not be violence, but it certainly is not in the spirit of a marriage.]
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Marriage makes wrecks of 58 percent of women in Ahmedabad
A previous post talked about a survey of women in India, where over half said that it was OK for husbands to beat wives.
http://isai-os.blogspot.com/2007/10/womens-survey-in-india.html
Here is another survey released at about the same time. I don't remember the date, but the colored portions are direct quotes from Time of India, Ahemdabad edition - around October 20, 2007.
Marital blows
One in every two married women in Ahmedabad is subjected to torture everyday by her husband, the man with whom she took the seven vows till death parted them. But men seem to have broken these vows. A survey of 1,500 women in Ahmedabad revealed the following.
Acts of physical violence
33% admitted to being victims of domestic violence. [I assume that the statistics in this section are from this 33%, but the TOI article does not make it clear.]
Slapping 68%
Kicking 62%
Punching - 53%
Hitting with hard objects - 49 %
Biting - 37%
Choking - 29%
Bramdomg wotj cogarettes butts - 22%
Sexual violence
50% were subject to forcible sex (rape)
56% were deprived of sex
Social violence
76% abused before family
69% before neighbors
60% before friends
67% in public places
Emotional violence
70% report verbal abuse, threats
62% report lack of support and appreciation
Intellectual violence
69% excluded from decision-making
Horrifying statistics. Amazing that a society known for its external tolerance can be so violent at home. Is there anything being done in the society to address this?
http://isai-os.blogspot.com/2007/10/womens-survey-in-india.html
Here is another survey released at about the same time. I don't remember the date, but the colored portions are direct quotes from Time of India, Ahemdabad edition - around October 20, 2007.
Marital blows
One in every two married women in Ahmedabad is subjected to torture everyday by her husband, the man with whom she took the seven vows till death parted them. But men seem to have broken these vows. A survey of 1,500 women in Ahmedabad revealed the following.
Acts of physical violence
33% admitted to being victims of domestic violence. [I assume that the statistics in this section are from this 33%, but the TOI article does not make it clear.]
Slapping 68%
Kicking 62%
Punching - 53%
Hitting with hard objects - 49 %
Biting - 37%
Choking - 29%
Bramdomg wotj cogarettes butts - 22%
Sexual violence
50% were subject to forcible sex (rape)
56% were deprived of sex
Social violence
76% abused before family
69% before neighbors
60% before friends
67% in public places
Emotional violence
70% report verbal abuse, threats
62% report lack of support and appreciation
Intellectual violence
69% excluded from decision-making
Horrifying statistics. Amazing that a society known for its external tolerance can be so violent at home. Is there anything being done in the society to address this?
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Women's survey in India
A recent survey in India collected opinions from a lot of women. One of the surprising findings was that 54% of the women thought it was OK for husbands to beat wives. A revealing fact about the society! Obviously, some attitude-setting is in order.
Another side issue that came up, was the kind of question that were asked. There were fairly frank about sex, sexual partners, extra/pre-marital affairs, and vices. The media made a big deal about how these questions were shaming women. However, unless such surveys are conducted, dark deeds of society lay hidden - these needs to be exposed.
Clearly, the 54% number proves the point.
Another side issue that came up, was the kind of question that were asked. There were fairly frank about sex, sexual partners, extra/pre-marital affairs, and vices. The media made a big deal about how these questions were shaming women. However, unless such surveys are conducted, dark deeds of society lay hidden - these needs to be exposed.
Clearly, the 54% number proves the point.
Where do temple donations go?
When you donate to a temple in India, do you know where the money goes? You think you are donating money to a religious cause, when in reality, you may be giving money to support the temple owner's lavish lifestyle. And, this lifestyle may not have anything to do with religion. We are familiar with one aspect of it, where money raised in religious places has supported terrorists.
Yes, there are temples run by trusts, which put the money to good use. And, there are temples administered by the Government - which ensure that much of the money is put to good use. But there are also temples that are either entirely privately owned, or are joint ventures with the Government, and operate on a revenue-sharing arrangement.
Would you donate to a temple, if you knew that money was going to someone's pocket? If yes, do you try to find out before you donate?
Yes, there are temples run by trusts, which put the money to good use. And, there are temples administered by the Government - which ensure that much of the money is put to good use. But there are also temples that are either entirely privately owned, or are joint ventures with the Government, and operate on a revenue-sharing arrangement.
Would you donate to a temple, if you knew that money was going to someone's pocket? If yes, do you try to find out before you donate?
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Child Labor
Nike recently restarted procuring soccer balls from Pakistan. They had stopped this practice six months ago, because of concerns about child labor. Nike now has a new supplier, who has commited to not use child labor.
It is easy to criticize child labor as a reprehensible practice. And, that criticism is abundant in the US. In fact, there are frequent initiatives to ban things that are found to have child labor. But which country has a bigger child labor problem, and what are people accomplishing by boycotting goods that have child labor?
In US there are plenty of children who work to make money. Why is that not child labor? Is that because these people are earning money that will be spent on stuff that large corporations provide (Nike shoes, for example). In third-world countries, children work to feed themselves and their families.
By criticizing only the third-world child labor, we are in effect saying that it is OK to have child labor if the money is spent on luxuries. But, if the child is working to earn food - that is a horrible thing to do, and must be stopped. What is a hungry child to do?
It is easy to criticize child labor as a reprehensible practice. And, that criticism is abundant in the US. In fact, there are frequent initiatives to ban things that are found to have child labor. But which country has a bigger child labor problem, and what are people accomplishing by boycotting goods that have child labor?
In US there are plenty of children who work to make money. Why is that not child labor? Is that because these people are earning money that will be spent on stuff that large corporations provide (Nike shoes, for example). In third-world countries, children work to feed themselves and their families.
By criticizing only the third-world child labor, we are in effect saying that it is OK to have child labor if the money is spent on luxuries. But, if the child is working to earn food - that is a horrible thing to do, and must be stopped. What is a hungry child to do?
Monday, September 3, 2007
Difference between a temple and a church
Most religious orders have places of worship. Temples and churches are probably the two most common terms. Christians have churches, Hindus and some others have temples.
Mormons (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) have both - Temples and Churches. They both serve different purposes. Mormon Churches are for public worship, and anyone can go in. Mormon Temples are for private worship, and have restricted attendance.
Does this definition apply to Hindu Temples and other Christian Churches too? While people use Churches for private worship too, their main purpose is public worship - usually the once-a-week Sunday service. And, while people use Hindu Temples for public worship too, their main purpose is private worship.
Does this also underscore a difference between religions? Hinduism is primarily focused on private worship, and Christianity on public or group worship?
And, what about Mosques and Synagogues? I don't know enough to say whether they are for public or private worship. The dictionary states them both as houses of worship.
Mormons (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) have both - Temples and Churches. They both serve different purposes. Mormon Churches are for public worship, and anyone can go in. Mormon Temples are for private worship, and have restricted attendance.
Does this definition apply to Hindu Temples and other Christian Churches too? While people use Churches for private worship too, their main purpose is public worship - usually the once-a-week Sunday service. And, while people use Hindu Temples for public worship too, their main purpose is private worship.
Does this also underscore a difference between religions? Hinduism is primarily focused on private worship, and Christianity on public or group worship?
And, what about Mosques and Synagogues? I don't know enough to say whether they are for public or private worship. The dictionary states them both as houses of worship.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Indian Muslims in the US
Why are there so few Muslims from India in the US?
According to a recent news report, there are more Muslims from Pakistan - which itself has fewer Muslims than India*. This is a bit surprising, when we believe that the Indian educational system trains well, and that there are equal opportunities for everyone.
Is it that Muslims are not using their opportunities in India? Or, that they are not choosing to come to the US?
Or, is the number misleading; in other words, is the percent of Muslims in the Indian immigrant population in the US roughly the same as the percent of Muslims in India (16.4)? If this is the case, then immigration from Pakistan must be higher than that from India - as a percent of its own population.
Any other explanations?
* Total population of Pakistan in 2007 - 169M (of this, 96% are muslims)
Number of Muslims in India in 2001 - 174M
According to a recent news report, there are more Muslims from Pakistan - which itself has fewer Muslims than India*. This is a bit surprising, when we believe that the Indian educational system trains well, and that there are equal opportunities for everyone.
Is it that Muslims are not using their opportunities in India? Or, that they are not choosing to come to the US?
Or, is the number misleading; in other words, is the percent of Muslims in the Indian immigrant population in the US roughly the same as the percent of Muslims in India (16.4)? If this is the case, then immigration from Pakistan must be higher than that from India - as a percent of its own population.
Any other explanations?
* Total population of Pakistan in 2007 - 169M (of this, 96% are muslims)
Number of Muslims in India in 2001 - 174M
Model for Unity - Maharashtra Style
During the recently concluded Presidential Elections in India, Shiv Sena declared that they will support Pratibha Patil (the eventual winner), regardless of her political affiliation. The reason? She is from Maharashtra.
Kudos to Shiv Sena for rising about party politics. When will others in the country learn to do the same?
And, when will Shiv Sena lead us to the same model for the country as a whole, rather than just for a region.
Kudos to Shiv Sena for rising about party politics. When will others in the country learn to do the same?
And, when will Shiv Sena lead us to the same model for the country as a whole, rather than just for a region.
Saving children - one baby at a time
In a small town in Northern India, they have come up with a unique way to address the issue of abandoned infants.Rather than dumping unwanted babies in strange places, parents can merely place them in one of the "baby baskets" placed by an NGO in different parts of town.
The real process begins after the basket door is shut. Automatic phone calls are made to different volunteers' home. One of them picks up the baby and takes it to the hospital for a physical examination. Once that is done, the baby is handed over to an agency.
Task done, everyone can breathe in relief!
In the last six months, they have save four babies. Even greater sense of pride is that in this era of female infanticide, only the fourth one was a female.
I just hope this project continues, rather than get vandalized by unsocial elements. After all, the baby baskets are unattended facilities, with technology in them.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Farmers - 60% of India's Population
The Financial Times in one of their editions in June 2007, (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/ed531a4c-1add-11dc-8bf0-000b5df10621.html - can read it on-line only if you subscribe to ft.com) states that 60 % of India is in agriculture.
India does not have an appreciable food surplus or deficit. That means that 6 families are working to provide food to 10 families. Or, each one family lives on income it generates from providing food to 10/6 = 1 and 2/3 families. One of them is their own family. So, each family lives on income it generates from providing food to 2/3 of another family.
Doesn't sound very good. It is even worse than this:
1. The farmers get their money from selling to the first of many middle-men, so they get much less than what what we pay at a retail store.
2. This money is used for all their non-food expenses - living, education, retirement, ...
3. This is the average amount. So, broadly speaking, about half the families get less than this. My guess is that it many more than half get less than this amount.
One way to do something for India, is to increase this ratio of 2/3. So, if each family provides food for even 2 families, they increase their earning by a factor of 3.
Doable?
India does not have an appreciable food surplus or deficit. That means that 6 families are working to provide food to 10 families. Or, each one family lives on income it generates from providing food to 10/6 = 1 and 2/3 families. One of them is their own family. So, each family lives on income it generates from providing food to 2/3 of another family.
Doesn't sound very good. It is even worse than this:
1. The farmers get their money from selling to the first of many middle-men, so they get much less than what what we pay at a retail store.
2. This money is used for all their non-food expenses - living, education, retirement, ...
3. This is the average amount. So, broadly speaking, about half the families get less than this. My guess is that it many more than half get less than this amount.
One way to do something for India, is to increase this ratio of 2/3. So, if each family provides food for even 2 families, they increase their earning by a factor of 3.
Doable?
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Musical Instruments - simple vs. mechanical
I compare the musical instruments that my children and their friends use in the US, with what I used as a child in India.
My flute was a bamboo tube with a few holes in it; each finger movement covered or uncovered a hole. The Western flute is a sophisticated mechanical device with a large number of levers.
The shehani was an analog of the bamboo flute. Its Western equivalent, the oboe, seems as sophisticated as the western flute.
Clearly, the cost of producing a shehnai is much less than an oboe. And, there are fewer things to go wrong, and tune-up in the shehnai.
What does this mechanical sophistication, and increase in cost, do? Does it make it easier for the musician? Or, does it allow the production of better music? Or both?
My flute was a bamboo tube with a few holes in it; each finger movement covered or uncovered a hole. The Western flute is a sophisticated mechanical device with a large number of levers.
The shehani was an analog of the bamboo flute. Its Western equivalent, the oboe, seems as sophisticated as the western flute.
Clearly, the cost of producing a shehnai is much less than an oboe. And, there are fewer things to go wrong, and tune-up in the shehnai.
What does this mechanical sophistication, and increase in cost, do? Does it make it easier for the musician? Or, does it allow the production of better music? Or both?
Monday, May 28, 2007
Indian Economy Moving Towards Organized Sector
What percent of the Indian economy is in the "unorganized sector?" Numbers ranging from 60% to 97% are talked about.
With big corporations gradually moving into this space (e.g. Reliance getting into retailing), a significant part of this economy is going to be turned on its head. Do we understand the social implications?
- Many small businesses will be driven out. Their employees may find employment at large corporations, doing the same things, but under better working conditions. However, a significant majority of these business have no regular real employees - it is all family-run. What happens to these families?
- Cost structures of many of these are very low - almost insignificant profit margins. While large buying entities may reduce cost of acquisition, there will be additional corporate costs.
- Corporations will be able to flex their muscles to extract very low prices from suppliers. And they will dis-intermediate the middle man.
The quality of life of buyers, on the other hand, will improve substantially.
- Easier access to many things under the same roof. What you had to go to 5 stores to buy, and took and entire morning, can now be bought at a single store in half an hour.
- Their employees will have better working conditions.
Social implications are huge though.
With big corporations gradually moving into this space (e.g. Reliance getting into retailing), a significant part of this economy is going to be turned on its head. Do we understand the social implications?
- Many small businesses will be driven out. Their employees may find employment at large corporations, doing the same things, but under better working conditions. However, a significant majority of these business have no regular real employees - it is all family-run. What happens to these families?
- Cost structures of many of these are very low - almost insignificant profit margins. While large buying entities may reduce cost of acquisition, there will be additional corporate costs.
- Corporations will be able to flex their muscles to extract very low prices from suppliers. And they will dis-intermediate the middle man.
The quality of life of buyers, on the other hand, will improve substantially.
- Easier access to many things under the same roof. What you had to go to 5 stores to buy, and took and entire morning, can now be bought at a single store in half an hour.
- Their employees will have better working conditions.
Social implications are huge though.
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