Comments for Journeys across a pathless land http://vasusworld.com I came, I saw, I wrote... Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:43:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ Comment on Contrarian views on the leadership challenge that is affecting India’s anti-corruption debate by Vasudevan Srinivasan http://vasusworld.com/2011/08/16/contrarian-views-on-the-leadership-challenge-that-is-affecting-india%e2%80%99s-anti-corruption-debate/#comment-933 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:43:31 +0000 http://vasusworld.com/?p=779#comment-933 Hi Madan,
Completely agree with you, and apologies for the late response.
The movement has helped kick start debates, and that’s positive. And the colorful characters who will milk it for political advantage is endless.
As I expected the government and media have been colluding to tarnish the credibility of Team Anna, and that is such a shame. I don’t agree with most of their views, but the best way to respond to their criticism is through constructive action, and not character assassination.
As for Varun, the less said the better. I don’t think any of us who knew him a bit, expected any intelligent leadership from him. But it’s a real pity he has ended up such a fascist. More than a shame to his family name (which has been routinely exploiting our country for decades), he is a shame to our school.
Cheers!
Vasu

]]> Comment on Contrarian views on the leadership challenge that is affecting India’s anti-corruption debate by M http://vasusworld.com/2011/08/16/contrarian-views-on-the-leadership-challenge-that-is-affecting-india%e2%80%99s-anti-corruption-debate/#comment-659 Sat, 20 Aug 2011 04:28:01 +0000 http://vasusworld.com/?p=779#comment-659 dude, i agree with you wholeheartedly and sometimes i believe a movement needs to start somewhere. However, taking this further to ensure change is something that will take time and effort and personally believe this is something that no amount of hunger fasts will achieve.

The biggest joke – apart from our very own baba ramdev is the wannabe gandhi varun who is a mockery not just to the political class but also the gandhi family name. Someone should donate some cash to give him a brain transplant- he really needs one!

Keep up the great writing!

M

]]> Comment on Contrarian views on the leadership challenge that is affecting India’s anti-corruption debate by anand http://vasusworld.com/2011/08/16/contrarian-views-on-the-leadership-challenge-that-is-affecting-india%e2%80%99s-anti-corruption-debate/#comment-658 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:27:08 +0000 http://vasusworld.com/?p=779#comment-658 I came across your article while searching on Google. I really like the way you categorically look at this movement. You really are an intellectual.

But I have serious doubts
Firstly, I don’t understand the fact that how you are so sure that Jan Lokpal bill can’t address corruption. Surely I agree that lack of economic freedom is one of the reasons for corruption, but surely it isn’t the only one. Lack of penalties for the corrupt and lack of powerful investigating agencies. India wasn’t economically free in pre 90′s too when we witnessed bofors scam (84 crores) and now when we are much less socialist and we see scams worth lakhs of crores. I agree economy is stronger now but we aren’t lakh times richer. Other factors do play in.

Secondly, Anna Hazare demands a Lokpal bill to be implemented. He is not supposed to stick around forever. Once bill is passed his job is done. How does it matter if he is less pragmatic or whatever as long as people want his support.

]]> Comment on Contrarian views on the leadership challenge that is affecting India’s anti-corruption debate by Vasu http://vasusworld.com/2011/08/16/contrarian-views-on-the-leadership-challenge-that-is-affecting-india%e2%80%99s-anti-corruption-debate/#comment-656 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:20:57 +0000 http://vasusworld.com/?p=779#comment-656 Thanks Anand Anna,
The entry barriers to politics are massive today. You need a family name, truck loads of money, an identity (religion, caste, community) that suits your constituency, powerful friends in political and business world, and perhaps even a pretty face!
I think there are ways to contribute immensely, and I do my 2 cents worth.

I hope to see the changes we speak about in my lifetime too :)

Thanks.
Vasu

]]> Comment on Contrarian views on the leadership challenge that is affecting India’s anti-corruption debate by Vasu http://vasusworld.com/2011/08/16/contrarian-views-on-the-leadership-challenge-that-is-affecting-india%e2%80%99s-anti-corruption-debate/#comment-655 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:15:29 +0000 http://vasusworld.com/?p=779#comment-655 Hi Sony,
Thanks for the thoughtful comments. Your comments were thought provoking as well and here is my response, on the different points you raised:
1. By reading multiple views, and being open to new ideas, you have already shown a lot of what I allude to as intelligence. Intelligence is not only knowledge, but the openness to learn, and the accompanying patience
2. I absolutely agree that if not for Anna Hazare we would not have this debate. This, along with Anna’s clean image, is what I keep reminding arm chair critics and so called intelligent people. If that did not come across very clearly in my blog, it is a mistake of my presentation ability, and not intent :)
3. Also, I am today more critical of the “intellectuals” than the do-ers. The reason is we expect more from the intelligent and the media experts, than the activists. It’s like shouting at the tail enders for scoring in single digits, when we get all out under 100, and ignoring the low scores of the top order. Sagarika Ghose of CNN IBN tweeted a dozen tweets on why she does not support Anna Hazare’s movement. Fair dinkum, and I agree with many of the views. But today she has the clout to invite our social media experts, and run a 1 hour show on prime time which debates 2-3 alternates to Jan Lokpal that can tackle corruption better? Has she or any body from the media done that? Not to my knowledge. What stops them? God only knows!
4. The right direction is not one single path. Multiple things have to happen in parallel, over a period of time, and quite frankly there is an element of chance as well. Elaborating that would require my understanding to improve, and a separate blog post. I set high standards for myself in terms of having a comprehensive view on a topic, before presenting a solution, and since I am not yet there by my standards, I would not do that yet. But as an erstwhile consultant, I would pour into understanding the details of the problem before jumping to a solution. And corruption occurs at multiple levels, in different ways, and 99% of those fighting on the streets contribute to it. Let me take a random example that’s fresh on my mind. A friend posted on Facebook “ Do you know what are the salaries of government employees, compare them to yours as a private sector or MNC, or NRI employee, factor in cost of living these days, and tell me if you can sustain in these salary levels”. So while it’s not justifiable, our systemic flaws provide massive incentives for people to be corrupt. Don’t you think privatizing some of those sectors would make a massive difference? Imagine you were working in BSNL post telecom reform. Do you think your salary would help you lead a comfortable life in today’s India? Post reforms, you are a manager at Airtel or Vodafone. Imagine the change in your life now. Aren’t we reducing your urging need to take bribes? This is just one strain of thought, and I would write about concrete ideas once I formulate them. But there are already dozens of Pragati / Nitin Pais, who have concrete suggestions already

Thanks.
Vasu

]]> Comment on Contrarian views on the leadership challenge that is affecting India’s anti-corruption debate by Vasu http://vasusworld.com/2011/08/16/contrarian-views-on-the-leadership-challenge-that-is-affecting-india%e2%80%99s-anti-corruption-debate/#comment-654 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:58:27 +0000 http://vasusworld.com/?p=779#comment-654 Hi Ritz,
I read your blog post and was so impressed by how much it resonates with my stance. I am not sure how to leave a comment on Tumblr, and perhaps you can guide me.
Thanks for commenting and providing the link. I request all the other readers who patiently made it to the comments section, to take a look at the link of Ritz Shetty’s blog above.

Thanks.
Vasu

]]> Comment on Contrarian views on the leadership challenge that is affecting India’s anti-corruption debate by Ritz http://vasusworld.com/2011/08/16/contrarian-views-on-the-leadership-challenge-that-is-affecting-india%e2%80%99s-anti-corruption-debate/#comment-653 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 02:52:32 +0000 http://vasusworld.com/?p=779#comment-653 Good stuff Vasu, I agree with you and feel that the intellect bit is totally missing in the current fight against corruption. When you find time you can read my views: http://ritz-shetty.tumblr.com/post/9047342104/a-solution-for-corruption-definitely-not-the-way-india

]]> Comment on Contrarian views on the leadership challenge that is affecting India’s anti-corruption debate by Sony http://vasusworld.com/2011/08/16/contrarian-views-on-the-leadership-challenge-that-is-affecting-india%e2%80%99s-anti-corruption-debate/#comment-651 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:26:37 +0000 http://vasusworld.com/?p=779#comment-651 Great article, Vasu, quite provoking. It opened some new thoughts. I read your article in conjuction(and link) with Nitins (Pai) article. Nice to read. Sorry, Im not much of a thinker, and normally dont have the patience to read down such a long blog.(I am the one in ten, but who managed to read, this time).
Tell me, do you really believe that if “Anna Hazare process” didnt happen(thou i dont exactly support the method) would there have been this “awakened” middle class? even, as you say. their direction is wrong. Which, is the right direction, then? new reforms? sorry, I dont get a say in that, the bureaucrats do. Elect right? well, arent we trying to do that for some time and still getting the same kind of leaders? I liked the analysis of types of ‘Nation Builders’, very well written. Keep writing.

]]> Comment on Contrarian views on the leadership challenge that is affecting India’s anti-corruption debate by Anand http://vasusworld.com/2011/08/16/contrarian-views-on-the-leadership-challenge-that-is-affecting-india%e2%80%99s-anti-corruption-debate/#comment-648 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:28:20 +0000 http://vasusworld.com/?p=779#comment-648 WOW. I like / agree with everything you said. I agree that we do not have strong leaders. What is more surprising is the younger generations of people are not trying to get involved in politics the way it is supposed to be. Politics has been a family business and till we eliminate all those who have been governing us till date and get young blood things are not going to change. We see thugs and rouges enter politics only to earn money and not to govern. Every Indian has to take a stand that they will not pay money to get things done. But that is easy said than done. There will be reforms and it will happen and I hope to see that in my lifetime.
Continue to write, be an activist, communicate and that is the only way to get things done. Your generation can get it done.

Anand

]]> Comment on A good year spent in the land of cheese and chocolates! by Vasu http://vasusworld.com/2010/05/02/a-good-year-spent-in-the-land-of-cheese-and-chocolates/#comment-587 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:03:09 +0000 http://vasusworld.wordpress.com/?p=439#comment-587 Thanks KP.
December is winter, and if you are used to winter in N. America or Europe, its fine. But bear in mind, that snow / rain could impact visibility in many places, so you need more time. Alternately if you plan to do winter sports, December is perfect.

Thanks.
Vasu

]]> Comment on A good year spent in the land of cheese and chocolates! by KP http://vasusworld.com/2010/05/02/a-good-year-spent-in-the-land-of-cheese-and-chocolates/#comment-586 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:59:47 +0000 http://vasusworld.wordpress.com/?p=439#comment-586 we are planning on visiting in december.. hope its not extremely harsh weather :o |

]]> Comment on A few words about me by KP http://vasusworld.com/about/#comment-583 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 01:10:36 +0000 #comment-583 Hello!
I stumbled upon your blog and I must say it’s pretty awesome to read! I’m also an Indian in the US and I look forward to your updates :0)

247spiceoflife.wordpress.com

]]> Comment on Why an Indian win in the cricket world cup 2011, would prevent China taking over the ICC in 2027 by anand muglikar http://vasusworld.com/2011/02/11/%ef%bb%bf%ef%bb%bfwhy-an-indian-win-in-the-cricket-world-cup-2011-would-prevent-china-taking-over-the-icc-in-2027/#comment-567 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:40:35 +0000 http://vasusworld.wordpress.com/?p=702#comment-567 Too good man! Ur blog on the whole is awsm too!

]]> Comment on A few words about me by Vasu http://vasusworld.com/about/#comment-526 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:22:10 +0000 #comment-526 Thanks.

I was actually in a dilemma whether to keep the content as it is, delete it, or keep on a separate post. For now, I guess I’ll just leave it for the record.

The reason it was there in the first place, is to be transparent about one’s identity. But at the same time, I see my views as distinct from what my identity is likely to tell you.
I think there is scope for refinement – there is much more to my life than a few political isms! But it’s nice, intelligent readers such as you can spot some of the subtleties.

Cheers,
Vasu

]]> Comment on A few words about me by madperiodwoman http://vasusworld.com/about/#comment-524 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:54:41 +0000 #comment-524 I really like the part on Political Ideology. You have summed up the various political agendas of our country and substantiated your personal stand as well. Look forward to reading more.

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