FDI is cool. Why not try that in politics?

The Government’s arguments in favour of bringing 51% FDI in retail are compelling. FDI brings expertise, corrects inefficiencies and brings down inflation. If world experts can help India’s retail, why not bring a similar ‘reform’ in our politics. 50% FDI, anyone?

In every constituency going for polls, a number equal to the Indian political parties contesting will be earmarked for overseas counterparts. This way, the electorate has a wider choice. Maybe, after losing once, the Indian parties will pull up their socks just the way the local kiranas are expected to do in the case of retail.

The best practices of parliamentary functioning world over will also be accessible at home. Imagine a Republican from US and a Labour Representative from UK winning a couple of Lok Sabha seats as a result of opening up of the industry.

Inflation in most developed economies is 2-4%. We will also get overnight benefits, innit?

One might have questions on national security and confidentiality. Let’s build a few safe guards like Home and Defence Ministries and post of the PM remaining with Indian nationals.

This will also help politicians derisk against currency fluctuations as the guy giving kickbacks and the guy using may belong to the same country and use the same currency .

What's more it will be 'one stone two mango' approach. This initiative will both be an FDI as well as an electoral reform!

Primer to Tamil Films

You think you know Tamil movies well? Or a new fan of Kollywood? This one is the first activity for those who are getting to know Tamil films better.. and for the veterans, a tool of reassurance of domain knowledge..
Match the following:

The Raavan Durga Principle of Management

Many of us would be aware about the Hindu mythology’s star villain Raavan and icon of lady power Durga Mata.

Now, note how they are generally depicted:

The relevance of these images to  corporate organisation structures is immense.

Raavan as we all know met with his end in a battle with Lord Rama and the reason that I see is the fact that he had just one pair of hands (the actual guys in operation) being cross guided by 10 heads (the think tank/management). The second image on this page is an even better recipe for disaster where there are multiple heads and hands providing a confused cross and multiple reporting scenario(straight line, dotted line, convoluted line, etc). What's worse is each  hand thinks it is empowered but runs the risk of being overruled by any of the heads. A reverse pyramid or a connfused matrix can never ever work. At best, the hands may prefer to get severed from such confused leadership with conflicting directions.

Both go against the natural rule of unity of command and failure is guaranteed. Even with the best of intentions both at head and hands level, such a structure is dangerous.

Now, take a look at Durga Mata's image. There is one head and multiple hands which indicates clear direction for the operations team and each of the hands have a particular object in hand which ranges from a flower to a sword. A team for all seasons, one clear thinking head. Does success need anything more? Hence the respect from everyone and celebrations galore.

Okay, time for gas refill...!

A snail paced century

Hello friends! Glad to inform you that this is vaaman’s 100th post. It’s taken six years and considering that the second fifty took five of those six years, it has not just been nervous nineties but I guess it has been nervous 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Though there could be multiple reasons as to why the blog could not have crossed the milestone much earlier, I would like to focus more on what this journey has meant to me. Seriously, the journey outshines any milestone!

As I mentioned in my 50th post, this blog has helped me express my thoughts freely to a larger demographic spread and helped me win new friends. As I was refreshing my memory by reading through the earlier posts, it gave me a great insight into what were the various thoughts and ideologies that I had and how they have shaped me into whatever I am today.

Vaaman helped me discover the blog poet in me (a clan equivalent in grade with a bathroom singer). The fact that I wrote about creating wealth than laying claim to a portion of the pie way back in 2006, vindicated my jump into entrepreneurship band wagon was not after all an overnight decision.

After the initial 60 odd posts, the entries have been sporadic at best and that has reflected in the reduced eyeballs as well. Though I keep promising that I will be more regular, it pains me that I have never been able to fulfill that. And the learning is that, I don’t promise higher frequency now either, but whatever deserves a mention will surely not miss out on some bytes in vaaman. A cursory analysis of the scribbling suggests that bulk of the content are on relationships, cities, politics and movies.

Thanks for all the comments and feedback all through these years. Looking forward to hear from you in future as well.

pyaar bhari maang :)

तुझसे मिलके बड़ी खुशी हुई


बस इतना बोलके निकल जाने से

मुझे खुशी थोड़ी ना होगी

अगर बात और नहीं बड़ा पाऊँ

तो मेरे साया से भी पीछे पड जाऊँगा



तो जैसे सब लोग करते हें

मैंने भी उससे दोस्ती किया

कोफ़ी पीते थे हम साथ साथ

राज़ हम बाँटते थे एक दूसरे के साथ

धीरे धीरे बाहर की मौसम जो भी था

मन के अंदर तो सावन ने घर बसा लिया



प्यार से दुनिया भरने का भाषण सब देते हैं

फिर प्यार की बातें करना इतना मुश्किल क्यूँ हैं

अगर दोस्ती बस एक बहाना था और प्यार एक वजह

क्या इस बात पे छूटेगा अपना हाथ

पूरे डेरींग के साथ जब बोलने गया दिल की बात

बस एक ही बात बोली उसने

क्या दोस्त से नहीं तो दुश्मन से करेगा कोई प्यार?

From Up there

I am nothing but a ball just hanging out there


You dearies get confused between

How I look and what I really am

I have no shine of my own,

And marred to the core

The unconditional love baffles me

For I just reflect what is thrown at me

You adore me at every stage of my rise and fall

Full, half or even stained

Even when I am completely invisible

You celebrate it as a thief’s night out!

Barring the power to alter the tides

There is hardly anything I do

Can’t imagine how I would be celebrated

If I really was the source of all the joy

Like the Sun or something

Un ninaippil en pozhudhu

En idhayam enna brindavanama


Dinamum adhil nee malargiraye!

En Manam enna solaivanama

Un mel aasai dhinam mulaikiradhe!



Sombal murikum pozhudhil

Mudhal velichamum nee

Ucchi veyilil thinarum bodhu

Saanthamana nizhalum nee

Iravil un ninaipil puralum bodhu

Ennodu vambu pesum natchathiram nee



Kodayin maalaiyil seeendum poo thenralum nee

Mazhai oindhadhum varum vaanavillum nee

Elai Udhir Kaalathil Pournami Nilavum nee

Vasantha Kaala Magizhchi yum Neeye Neeye neeye

Kadhal Vandha...(madras peta mix)

Sathyam Theatrela Padamo moonu manneram

Kanne Un nenappu iruvathi naal manneram

Roaming plan la irundha en manasa

Un heart o da hotline aakiniye

Navarathri Sundal pola freeya irundhene

Un pinnadiye eppavume sutta vittaye

Sachin Salman Surya verum posterla dhaan

Kadhal Palliyila Head Mastere Naan dhaan

Tirukuralla eppodhum ezhu vaartha

En idhayathil un peyaro ore vaartha

En Appa voda sanda potten unakaaga dhaan

En Akka enakku support panadhum unakaaga dhaan

Kanaalam Katikita varumaam porupu porupu

Nee en girl friend aana dhaale naan pista parupu

Vettiya naan selavazhichen nethu vara

Inime naan semippen last vara

Tamil Nadu: Apathy v 2011

Feed a man a fish and you feed him for a day. But if you give him a fishing rod, you feed him for a lifetime goes a Chinese proverb. While a plethora of Chinese products have found their way to our markets this proverb has missed the flight to Chennai. Quarter, Biryani and Sarees is history. Cash distributed through newspaper circulation was Gen X ways. Now Gen ‘Why’ comes with something more on the face. Making freebies a part of the manifesto seems to be every party’s strategy. Laptops, grinders, free rice. Next in line could very well be breakfast coupons at Saravana Bhavan and Murugan Idli shop. The deal clincher would be an extra helping of jigarthanda. How about a free round trip on Spicejet? With the electorate being reduced to just a perk seeking demography, the political class is laughing at the sheer helplessness of the public. After dividing the state with reservation policies in the garb of the Dravidian movement, now comes the slap of indignity on the masses. One tight slap on every voter. How can the parties assume that the people are not remotely bothered about alleviation of corruption or poverty. Feeding a mouthful of rice doesn’t serve either. Why has the voice sucked out of the people of Tamil Nadu? Have the so called politically aware electorate been relegated below the ones in Gujarat and Bihar. Have we bid farewell to political will and good governance. All that seems to resound is “Atleast that leader performs . So corruption is okay”. Is this all that is expected from the corridors of power? Why should it always be devil or the deep sea? Really wish there could be a way out, but it hurts to see that both major alliances have sought this ugly route to power. Is there a choice that is unexplored yet.. well hope so…

Aur kyaa?

A city where your voice may get lost in the noise

A city where you may lose yourself in the crowd

A city that gives a glimpse of the potential

A city where pain and gain blend harmoniously

Space for everyone, yet there is enough for none

Where livelihood is a daily battle, but smiles aplenty

Street smart, dignified and resilient

The people’s hearts is not on trade

People land here with a dream

As there is no time to dream once here,

The city that never sleeps!

March on, oh foot soldiers, for there is no one better

To solve the problems despite being part of it

It’s time to think what can be given

To this magnanimous metropolis

Than continuously plunder the resources

To satisfy each one's end.

Hurray! I am victimized!

Of late, I have been interacting with a significant number of people who seem to have the common rant of situations or people being unfair to them. Once or twice is fine, but the distrubing thing that I notice is that this is more to do with mindset than with state of mind. I am actually pushed to a point when I start pondering what would these people do if theirs problems are already addressed.

And there is a passive disorder associated with this. The gossip mongers have a field day and the speed at which the issue is discussed from being a first person account an nth person account is exponential. The key- how many people know about it barring the person who has the reasonable powers to offer a solution.

Why do some people think that no problem is solvable? Why do they feel that raising the issue to an appropriate authority or escalate when resquired is a redundant idea. Why can't the system be given a chance? Some feel cool when they are in the " I am vicitimized zone". They make martyrs make out of themseleves when they are actually making an ass out of themselves. Presuming the result of a conversation that has not even been dared to be initiated is down right stupid.

At the risk of sounding pompous, I can say that it gives me a real high when I get solutions by knocking the appropriate door in the system. If I feel that a problem is beyond redumption, then maybe I am the problem and exit the place or the situation. Sounding like an escapist? May be.

Does this mean I hate gossips.. you must be kidding :)

Satvik's diary decoded

What a Sunday!

I woke up pretty early, err, I was woken up pretty early. The kosuru nap I took by lying down on my amma's lap after 6 30 in the morning was not exactly useful. But, like a good kid I did everything to get ready on time for thatha's 70th birthday celebrations. I even sacrificed the bucket dip for the bigger cause (pat on my back, please).

Appa was upset with delay caused because I had to be fed before being taken to the hall . I still can't understand why he behaved like that as me agreeing to eat in itself is a rarity.

I was happy to see Aadhi, Ameya and Atul, but in the crowd I felt like 'thriuvizhala tholanja kozhandhai' and my only solace in those times is to cling onto appa's legs; no, i didn't take inspiration from the lenovo ad. Actually, I can sue them for copying my style.

As usual, I didn't eat anything at the event. I came back and I behaved in a manner to justify my pet name "Duracell battery". While others in the house were sleeping, I found myself to be the lone watchman. Thank God, Arun Chithapa got a call and he woke up to answer it.

I hid myself behind the bedroom door and called him with the cuteness that only I can portray and only he can melt to. He happily showed me Thomas Train for half an hour on the PC thanks to google images.

So far so good. For whatever reason, Appa came under intense pressure for chellam kuduthufying me a bit too much. All that I did was refuse wearing a diaper. Now, how else could I convey to my dear father that I have grown up and will inform when appropriate. Appa got angry with me and shouted at me :(. I tried playing the divide and rule game and gave Arun chithappa 'good' tag, but somehow he suddenly became smart and spotted the bluff.

Lucky paati later drishti suthified for all of us, and my famous dislike for the liquid drishti pottu was pronounced by a loud cry from yours truly. I went for broke and was relentless and this angered Appa even more. On a normal day, someone had to play the good cop and console me and adakify the aggressor. But well, today was not one of those days. Amma also joined Appa and yelled at me.

Poor me, the only trick left for me was to curl up to big aane (my favourite blanket), suck my thumb and slip into slumber mode citing the excuse that I woke up early and did not sleep in the afternoon. Phew, now i know what a bad hair day means! when am i heading to the salon?

The new USA, our very own Johnnie Walker and the latest Wood in Indian Cinema

Everytime desi parents visit their software geek kid in US on those three month tourist visas, the second day will invariably be punctuated with the expression "Hope India some day becomes like USA"

Voila!That dream might get fulfilled soon with just a few men's efforts. With orchestrated teams of political leaders bartering fasts and feasts, what we might have are two sub states Telangana and Coastal Andhra that will represent our very own USA - The United States of Andhra.

When there are scores of farmer suicides because of lack of means to food in Vidharbha, the answer to that is to host International Cricket matches in Nagpur. That is how innovative our Agriculture Minister gets. However the equation is altogether different when the political honchos go for a few days without food. ~Ye Jo desh hei mera~
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The other visual hogging Indian news channels is a certain Jairam Ramesh who is always walking while talking to the press at Copenhagen. It is ironic as he paces through the Convention Centre and says "today is a wasted day and we don't have much to do!". Keep Walking! Not a bad message though delivered unintentionally.

_______________________________________

After Bollywood, Kollywood and Tollywood, here is the possible new entrant! For a change we are not talking about a certain Tiger Woods. The string of films that have released over the last few months and are shortly to bless the screens offering the other perspective to terrorism might just point to the emergence of a new film fraternity called Da-wood! Somehow it is tough to fathom how true Indian financiers who are grappling with aftermath of terror attacks right here would in their right mind fund such films. No offence to any religion but offering counter thoughts doing pseudo justice to terror thoughts is just not cool.

Maargo Maargo Maargazhi

So, it's that time of the year when all the silk sarees, ranging from Benares to Kanchivaram varieties spill out of the wardrobes;the month when Alwarpet and Mylapore have all the sabhas booked. RmKV and Pothy's will get adequate coverage in the TV channels for hosting mahotsavams.
Make up artists can make a fortune to make a 60 year old singer look like 40.
Welcome to the December Kutchery season in Chennai. This is the time when rookies would be praying to get atleast a noon time concert alloted in Music Academy. NRI Parents who have invested heavily on classical music for their kids would be making frantic calls to sabhas and vidhwans. This is the time when vidhwans can ask for return favours in the form of accomodation during foreign trips.
One thing I do vividly remember is how in our neighbouring Asthika Samajam, the secretary would be effusive with his praise for all the performing artistes; so much that I remember him only as 'Asaadhyam' Mama.
The concert format has improved over the years with interactive Q and A sessions and lucky draw winners. One has to be thankful to the efforts of TM Krishna, Soumya, Vijay Siva and other exponents of that generation to have revived the interest in youth for South Indian classical music.
With or without Arusuvai's canteen outside Music Academy, Chennai is most happening during the Maargazhi month.

Paa-th breaking effort

There have always been comparisons between Amitabh and Kamal as to who is THE actor who rules the scene.
Kamal with the versatility he has displayed over the last couple of decades and Amitabh's roaring comeback post the KBC era kept the two veterans tied in the race.
Then out of nowhere arrived this 12 year old progeria affected kid. He has redefined what acting is. Try to spot Amitabh in the film and you will have to wait till the last when the tired eyes sticks to a faint hope of reuniting his parents.
What a performance! What a poignant tale! Apart from Auro, Vidya Balan has shown the world yet again that dress sense at Page 3 parties is not the key to glory in Bollywood. The chemistry between her, Auro and Bum is awesome.
Abhishek Bhai - Please yaar - thoda to Acting seekh le yaar. Thankfully the others have put in a supra human effort to make sure that your lack of talent is covered up adequately.
Ilayaraja's music is nothing short of what only a Maestro can offer - Delicate, sensitive, a throw back to his Golden 80's.
In the last decade, there are a couple of categories of people who are trying their hand at cinema - The critics (yeeks) and we know what the famed popcorn munchers have contributed - Khalid Mehmood's shot at so called meaningful cinema ran dry after three attempts. Samir Karnik - The best 'behind the camera' comedian whose affinity to the Deols and Sohail Khan has only plummeted him further down in the box office charts. When is Mr Masand going to wield the megaphone? Atleast then the stress might reduce his ever explanding waist line.
The second - the ad gurus. And yummy, what a whiff of fresh air they have been. Prasoon Joshi's style of belting out lyrics is stunning - such effortless and practical poetry.
Finally, the man who is going around town saying this movie is less about progeria and more about the novelty of having Abhishek play the role of dad to his dad - R Balki.
Though I just do not agree with this premise - I am only thankful that someone of his calibre has directed a movie as moving as this.
So final analysis
Amitabh's Auro +1
Arundati and Vidya +2
Ilayaraja +1
Abhishek -1
PC Sreeram +1
Balki +1
So total 5
So here is the proof that Paa is really special :)

IPL ke Side effects

Akshay Kumar was not as zealous as these guys when he received the Olympic torch in Canada. Kapil Dev was more composed when he lifted the World Cup back in 1983.
But just see what IPL has done to the List A players of Indian cricket. Till the time they played for India only they had plump commercial endorsements like Reebok, Pepsi and Fancy Cars.
But no stand up comedian can achieve as much hilarity as the three Mumbai Indian caps have achieved in one single ad.
The passion, the pride that Sachin, Zaheer and Harbhajan Singh have exuded in the Zandu Balm ad makes me sit through even test matches in good humour (quite literally).
The final definitive image of the three showing off the pain reliever with hoardes others following and saying "Ek Balm Theen Kaam" surpasses Emami Fair and Handsome, Boro Plus and Revital ads with consummate ease.
I think the brief economic downturn left the FMCGs reeling under severe ad budgets. Dont worry guys, you have managed to garner mind space - for good or for bad is a no brainer.

heartisans - India themed souvenir collection

Whenever someone returns from India after a holiday or a business visit, the gifting options are typically shawls, carpets, sandalwood perfumes or kurtas and so on.
The same more or less applies to the tens of thousands of software engineers and others who return home for a Diwali or a Christmas break.
www.dilsebol.com/heartisans has a refreshing answer to break this monotony
without compromising on the local flavour.
heartisans is a collection that presents a range of designs that represents various Indian cities, states and the country as whole. You will find anything from the South Indian Degree Coffee to Delhi Metro to Gateway of India to Assamese Tea Plantations being expressed in a contemporary fashion. This is truly a heart crafted range!
The fascinating aspect is the flexibility dilsebol.com offers you to choose the product on which you want the design to be printed. The product range includes t shirts, coffee mugs, caps, aprons and fridge magnets.
There is no better platform that enables you to wear the pride of your roots on your sleeves, quite literally!
So, do let send me your feedback on the range and the user experience. Feel free to buy to your heart's content and spread the word around! There is something for everyone at heartisans - diversity was never so much fun!

All Izz is not well!

The Thamizh Film Directors Association was abuzz with activity early in the morning of a rainy Tuesday on Nov 10th. Four middle aged actors paced in to the office in Chennai and lodged a petition citing apathy meted out to them over the past five years.

As the TV cameras zoomed in, the familiar faces of Vivek, Charlie, Chinni Jayanth and Dhamu appeared sans the typical facial antics. They were clearly miffed that they were removed from the college scene rather prematurely.

After RK Silvermani heard their case patiently, he explained to them that they were in their early forties and that Suman Shetty, Santhanam and other dumuks have already taken their place.

Not to be bogged down, the college veterans argued that this is a clear case of discrmination, as Bollywood have called back Aamir Khan and Madhavan along with Sharman Joshi to the campuses through 3 Idiots.

Dhamu reiterates the point saying he possesed extra talents like mimicry and more importantly better hair dyes than his Bollywood counterparts.

Vivek was agitated and threw away his cooling glasses as a symbol of accepting his age. He added that there was no more a need to hide his age showing through his sagging eye bags.

Chinni Jayanth feeling left out had the last say " Jilku Jikkan Jikka, Bollywood hero enna Kokkaa".

Charlie as usual filled the space on the conference dias with his mute presence, a role he used to do with aplomb in movies with a lab record book in hand.

Is recession over?

Hurray! The recession is behind us…. Forget the sensex, forget the GDP numbers, forget the inflation percentage and forget mooted media bytes on revival.
There are some barometers that have no numbers but are very vital in signifying positive mood in the economy.

There are pamphlets distributed outside IT campuses.

Eunuchs are running around signals and establishments demanding their katthas.

The side middle berth is getting removed in some of the trains.

Sun Pictures has started releasing movies which are lighter (Maasilamani) than ‘Thee’ and ‘Kadhalil Vizhundhen’.

Some of the above may not be welcome, but these are pointers to some sunshine.. may the brightness resume!

Beyond Cricket

It is a world renowned fact that Cricket at any level unites Tambram Mamas across Chennai. The Triplicane tribe are walking Encyclopedias of statistics when it comes to even league cricket. An ICF all rounder of the 80's would still find a mention on discussions and debates on why India never had a quality all rounder after Kapil Dev.

But beyond cricket, there is another topic that makes them jump up and participate. Fondly referred to as 'Avan'(him), the Indian Railways plays an integral part in building acquaintances between unrelated Mamas in social gatherings like Nichayadarthams (engagement), weddings, naming ceremonies and the likes.

"Avan adichindu vandhutaan" is the biggest accolade a train gets for catching up after running late for most parts of the journey.
"Avan routa maathitaan" means the train's route has been changed. This is an all time favourite with Mamas as they would get travel tips for the next occasion.

Increased Tatkal seats, inclusion of middle berth in the sides are all developments which have caught the frenzy of the enlightened generation of late.

It is high time that Lalu va takes cognisance of the innumerable Advisors he could have for his Ministry and duly take their suggestions going forward.