Kumbakonam school Fire, Macron3-0,ATM menace, World If!!!

#285
Housekeeping:-
1) Anand reached Karaikudi, Dad admitted in intensive care at local hospital this afternoon. While his vital signs /tests are all normal. We feel he needs attention and care which only a hospital can provide. Would keep folks updated. 
2) Radhu has formally taken over all Income Tax returns for the family, Aigaa, She makes all tax payable disappear like a magic!! If at my level she could do, imagine Millionaires etc how CA goons make tax disappear!! hhehehehheheh!!

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I saw a twitter post today on the Kumbakonam fire tragedy that happened this date (16th July 2004) in which 94 children were killed. I had covered the same in my BLOG POST in 2008 ( I write blog from 2005) Such Incident must never repeat anywhere!! If Jayalalitha should rot in hell (not that she might not for other sins) it is for this reason alone, for school was run without any license approvals and no one bothered. I reproduce the heart wrenching poem written by then President APJ Kalam on the tragedy.

Prayer for departed children of Kumbakonam

Oh dear little ones! Oh dear little ones!
For you, parents had glorious dreams !
And you were all immersed in your own dreams
Yet, Agni engulfed you and all of those dreams
Taking you to Almighty's divine presence
Usually, departed old parents are buried by sons
Whereas, Kumbakonam, saw a sad scene!
Crying parents burying their little ones!!
Oh Almighty! show Your grace on those little ones
And keep them all in Thy Holiest Presence!!
Oh Almighty! bless those parents wilting in grief
To have the strength to bear this great loss
May Thy compassion and grace pervade all souls
And bring down the pain and wipe away the tears
Oh Almighty! show Your grace on those little ones.

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

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Once again, Emmanuel Macron has outsmarted Trump 3-0 now, game set and match! All 3 times over last 2 months when Macron met Trump, he has just towered over Trump! hahahh! I am pretty sure Macron has better plans for France and with a super majority in parliamentary elections, he would be able to work his way. I am optimistic. 

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If you go in to ATM to take cash,watch out, go with your cellphone, the man in Texas, was stuck inside for 3 hrs, no one took his note to rescue him seriously until a cop did!! !!! 

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Economist has come with a superb collection of articles this week on "WORLD IF" I would spend time going thro that!!

Ok world, take care

Regards

Karthik

16/7/17 1740 hrs. 

Take it easy!

#284

Housekeeping:-
1) I am back from Hyderabad for 3 days here,travelling back Tuesday. As last two weeks were hectic, I have not read or come across interesting articles. So today's thoughts are more freewheeling.....

2) Anand landed in India this morning, should work a plan to Karaikudi to meet him, he would be here about 4 weeks..... As indicated in my blog post last week, Lalitha had organised an awesome Dinner for them at Radison Blu, SOHAR for their 25th wedding anniversary. 
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Lalitha using this calculator for her XI grade, international board student coaching!! My head spins looking at it! Using, Forget it!! hahah!!

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Today (15/7) is birth anniversary of Kamaraj. I am glad I have lived in his time and seen some of his good deeds in my school days in 70s. He was a man of action. The midday meal scheme at schools was his grand scheme of things. I cant imagine leaders who are so down to earth in generations to come!! 

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Cousin was on east coast travel, he shared pictures of Balcony where Lincoln was assassinated and Holocaust museum pictures! So much world allowed things to happen!

Holocaust museum Shoes as last witness to saw the slaughter!!! 

Balcony (Lights on) Where Licoln was assassinated at Ford Theater!! 

**Never text and drive this video is awesome! But I see mobile (mis)use is going mad even while driving! As a fellow passenger, I have to put my foot down a few times!!

This video captures MODI Govt Governance.... hahahahah!!

I would come with some serious stuff Sunday!! Take it easy, take care

Karthik.
15/7/17 1515 Hrs.

25th Wedding Anniversary Anand & UMA! 20 Yr Financial crisis, Margrethe Vestager; Bradley Lowrey!!

#283

Housekeeping:-
1) Had an awesome beard trimming, this evening, done by a 13 year school kid here at Annavaram, Medak Dt, my camp for few days. This kid is in 9th grade and helping his father after school hours for the II Chair out there! He has profession at hand to go cool!! This place has a huge Indian Air force Academy!! 

2) Tomorrow 9th JULY, marks 25th Wedding Anniversary for Anand and Uma ( Uma is also My cousin). Time flies!! Wishing them the very best. I am sure Lalitha and kids (!!) would have worked some surprise.  Anand's marriage was first time I had seen live Masala DOSA counter! JAI MAAHEE caterers took catering to next level even back then!! 

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This week marks the 20th Anniversary of ASIAN Financial crisis!! The Asian economy was shaken to the core, I distinctly recollect!! It gave so many lessons to the financial folks! but like drunkards they never learn! All repeat in 2008 across the world in USA! Indonesia was in mess and riots all around, I am glad they learnt lessons and moved on!! I am sure ASIA is better prepared for next crisis if and when it hits!!
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Google has been hit hard by EU up to 2.7Bn $! The largest fine! I am reading that Android violations could be even more!! Makes Microsoft penalty for IE Windows bundle looks loose change which was considered humongous in those times. The EU ANTI TRUST Trade commissioner, Ms.Vestager, Who took up this case  is an awesome lady! 
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Grief pouring in for the Youngest football fan Bradley Lowrey, 6 year old kid who died this week from cancer!! He was a Sunderland fan! Some events just makes you wonder about life as well as God's plans!! This one such!! I am told he scored a penalty kick in, beating Sunderland keeper! Well Done KID!!! RIP Bradley Lowrey!

OK, take it easy, take care stay Safe, God bless!
Karthik.
8th July 2017
2045 Hrs

ASP, Canada & Hong Kong, Women Sports, Al Jazeera

#282
Camp: Hyderabad.
Housekeeping:-
1) Twitter and Face book bombarded with GST Bill copy of food. So I post mine today at Bangalore Airport. Last night we had awesome dinner for Lalitha's birthday but I didn't pay out!! So this is my first pay for GST!! 

2) I am very happy to note that the Indian safety degree for our professional qualification as Safety Engineer is now recognised as an equivalent to USA Safety certification known as ASP.( Associate Safety Professional) Of course USA offers a higher qualification called CSP (Certified Safety professional) which has no equivalent so far in India for folks to attempt. I always held a view even 20 years back in my global travel, that the Indian curriculum in this is of top notch. I am glad I am proved right although good 10-15 years late. Better late then never

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1st July marks 150th year of formation of Canada as well as 20th year of Hong Kong hand over to China from Britain. Canada has always held its own identity despite the overwhelming presence of its neighbour down South. The liberal values, the open society, heterogeneity and diversity have always stood out. I recollect my Uncle choosing to do his higher studies in 1960s for the very reason as well as it Canada has some reputed academic institutions. Hong Kong is facing a unique challenge with powers be in a kind of Dammed if they do, doomed if they don't!! In a larger sense, Deng Xiaoping vision of one country, two systems, can be fully entrenched in HongKong should Chinese leaders push the agenda. Hong Kong is at cross roads, Let's see where it goes from here!!
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With Wimbledon on, Women's Cricket world cup ongoing, I am astonished at the comparisons made between male and female players. I  roll my eyes in disbeleif!! Really??, each brings its own beauty, standards, performance criteria. Comparing them is absurd. Borg is Borg, Martina, Evert, Mary Decker Slaney etc are unique to themselves. Comparing to their male counterpart is great injustice to their talent!! It sound bizarre to me!!
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Press, TV, Social Media need to exist in its own! However good, bad, ugly or propagating false news, as long as they are not posing security threat or blatantly supporting terrorist/anti national activities, they have a right to exist however unpalatable be it. That is why while I don't watch any Indian TV news channel and I dont support the witch hunt on NDTV ( it is good 4 years now since I saw Indian tv news) I am totally opposed to the stupid move by Saudi and allies putting pressure on Qatar to ban Al Jazeera just because it doesn't sing the tune the Saudi masters want. 

Right time to hit bed coming to 2300 Hrs, long week ahead here in Hyderabad Rural.
Regards
Karthik
2/7/17
2300 Hrs.

Mental fitness, Wimbledon, Schumpeter (WTF??), Great Sex Tonight (GST)

#281
Housekeeping:-
1) Today, 1st July is Lalitha's birthday. My 28th year of celebrations with her.(hhhaa!! Which woman want to disclose her age, I tell you!!) Radha, Shravan join me in wishing her a great birthday.!! Just to say a BIG thank you for everything she has been doing for us. 

2) I had a great trip yesterday to Madras for the participation in the OSH India safety exhibition cum technical sessions. I shall be covering the technical details in my latest HSE blog later in the evening. It was indeed Awesome to see and eat IDLY fully dipped in Sambar as well as good to See JJ posters, ( Last time I felt, BJP Thugs and MODI goons have hijacked all poster) besides capture Ripon Building the greatest viceror ever. I recollect my history teacher 1973 telling "ரிப்பன் எங்கள் அப்பன்"

  

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I am pained, saddened at the suicides that are happening in the environment around us. I am of the firm opinion that Life is God given and only he has the right to take in its normal course of  events that we carry on. As the saying goes, only two things certain, "Death and Taxes"!  Having seen a Suicide of a gentleman who was of great assist to our family during 1970s ( When I was 8 years old) I am always convinced that any issue in life in not worth taking owns life. I agree the spouse, the parents, work a person to that situation, and it can look all lost. It calls for mental toughness to work a way out. Taking ones own life is not an OPTION!!  As the saying goes, "The Going gets tough, the tough gets going" is the way to go" 

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Wimbledon begins coming week. My 45th to follow the Tennis' top notch event going back to 1973 when ATP players boycotted Wimbledon. John Kodes won the title. Wimbledon is always about Borg, Connors, McEnroe as well as Evert and Graff. Of course, Martina and Monica Seles should be mentioned. The interest in sports has faded over the last 10-15 years. I recollect watching Andy Murray beating Federer for the title few years back was the last live edition I watched..... Of course, Wimbledon wont be complete without mentioning Arthur Ashe, 1975?? and my reaction?? Arthur Who???!!! 

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Schumpeter has posted an awesome blog on mess that's happening in USA with business. He calls it Plan C-WTF(Not what the F**K, but WTF---> Winning, Tackling and Future) I dont ever recollect Economist dedicading a special report to a person and the mess he is creating!! While agree things are going helter skelter, I am positive Trump team may salvage things as they go forward.

 

• Special report
  Trump’s AmericaThe power of groupthinkEvangelical ChristiansRevelationsUrban-rural dividesTaking out the white trashBig-government conservatismA town called LiberalRace and status anxietyColonies of the mindTrump in governmentWhite House windows

I leave you with GST memes!! Boy what a mess at midnight?? I am told nothing is ready, come Monday morning Mayhem!! 

1) NaMo - 1 July se GST lagu hoga

People - VAT the f*ck!😤

My reaction when someone asks me the benefits of GST

Take it easy, take care, stay safe. God bless

Karthik

1/7/17

1630 Hrs.

Manager Tools 12 years, Drugs, CRISPER, Charles KOCH Why people hate him!

#280
As today is a holiday, I thought I would spend time to write a post! My Eid greetings to my dear Muslim friends /ex-colleagues in India and other parts of the world.


Housekeeping:-1) I usually go to ORION MALL for shopping& Come back, yesterday, i rarely sat for few minutes, the water fountain kind of impressed. I never notice these things!!! Looks like I am changing!!

2) You would be surprised that in the modern jet fast age still alteration folks exist that too in the middle of busy busy area in Malleswaram. With me loosing 3" Inch waist,8Kg over past few months, Lalitha was hell bent on altering the trousers (Less than 1 year old, so she has a point, despite me not agreeing) So we gave for alteration....... 

This week, Mike and Mark of Manager Tools (MT) completes 12 years of Podcast! Their First episode "Solution to a Stalled Technical Career" came in 2005. I stumbled on MT during 2007, (My first podcast was How to Write a Thank you note) and I have not missed a single episode! I must have written about its game changer in my personal/professional life many times but mentioning one more time is worth it. Career Tools their other podcast is a must listen for folks in their 20s who stepping in to work! 

Mark (L) Mike 

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Last week, I was travelling along with a Punjabi friend, he was telling me about the Drug menace that has wrecked Punjab and how it has ruined financial, social, infrastructure as well as value systems as well as how BJP-SAD has decimated the society there. The Pakistan border area is practically porous and folks across border, using catapults to swing packets of drug across.

I am not surprised this morning to listen that IRAN is facing immense problem with double the drug addicts in 6 years and struggling to come to terms. Looks like remaining clean is tough tall order these days for folks. While I smoked in my 20s, I stayed well clear of Alcohol and Drugs despite they being arms length. They cause irreversible havoc to you and folks around you......... 
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I was intrigued by so much happening in Gene Slicing technology,( Remember I am ex-Monsanto, so Gene Modification was tool to bread and butter) CRISPER is just beginning to wonder magic that is going to set Bio Technology in Agriculture, health on fire!! I am all for bio tech and I care a hoot about these Stupid NGO, Greenpeace buggers who crib without offering any solutions. Kill me after you give a solution to a problem is my take!!!

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As Die hard Republican, any one whom Democrats loathe is a guy you need to follow close despite their political affiliation. Charles Koch of Koch brothers which is II largest Pvt entity after Cargill ( at 100Bn$) is one such. Some of his entities are my client for EHS services ...... Koch entities takes pride in 100% compliance in 100% area at 100% time and work ways to execute the same. In his interview on Freakonomics Podcast, Charles Koch talks about his leadership, entities, how he fights the crony capitalism. (He never endorsed Trump) 

I leave with these videos watch out!!

Regards
Karthik.
26/6/17 0930am

Education systems! Hindi OZIGAA, Airport 77!, GUJARAT MODEL !!!

#279
Housekeeping:- 
1) People ask me how I remember my engagement date 24th June 1990. Simple, usually the boy goes to see the girl to get engaged. In my case, as I was tied up with work schedule,I made clear that girl's family if they interested to proceed further,(I had sent out detailed profile about me, likes, dislikes, expectations a 2 pager) should come to GUJARAT to meet me. (Some would have considered I am nuts, so be it)! Lalitha and her parents took the gamble. So I remember the date, she was the first girl I saw. (I was very clear,not more than a girl to see any way& marriage is lottery and I left the protocol of choosing that possible girl to grandparents and parents) hahahahha!!

2) While Bangalore may be cool, shady, pleasant in temperature, the UV factor plays tricks! I gave up walking now 230pm, 20 min in to it as discomfort due to UV radiation intense! Strange!!
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It was shocking to see CBSE valuation of papers, revaluation mess, delays in declaring results, moderation of marks etc. Looks like education system is in mess. This morning over coffee at 530am, Lalitha was explaining the new system planned for 10th final exam with 3 exams with best of 2 and they would have weightage of 20%! My head just spin and thank god I was having cup of coffee to hold me! The least said about NEET medical entrance exam, the better!! A Tamil friend of mine whose kid scored 1180++ /1200 and topped as top 10 in state board, has managed only 360 out of 720 in NEET showing the Gulf in education systems? Who is to blame, who takes name? Who cares?? Is private schools, coaching remedy! I was also floored, when Lalitha said Schools charge Rs. 15 Lacs for XI, XII for dishing out top notch performance. (Hostel other expenses separate). Also on the rise in Boarding school, where kids right from Grade 3rd onwards study away from parents so that parents are not perturbed?? Is this real where is this all going ?? I wonder!!

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While I speak Hindi and see it is a good thing to know,(My Pakistan visits started because I was fluent with Urdu /Hindi to make HSE Impact at work there) I am against all HINDI imposition. As a Staunch ANTI BJP/ANTI MODI my dislike for HINDI has grown immensely as I see HINDI back door entry their motto. I have began the unlearning of Hindi in my personal sphere of influence ( Like the French do, I would understand Hindi conversation, but would reply in English, Tamil, Gujarati as I see fit) I read this excellent blog post by Sarvanan Karthikeyan in TAMIL this morning which traces history Hindi back door entry. Also HINDI is not national language as made out to be! Personally I get furious especially in COW BELT people ridicule we south Indians for not knowing HINDI and think not knowing Hindi amounts to treachery!! I have now stopped my work visit to such places!!! 

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Arthur Hailey is a master story teller! His in depth coverage of operational, people issues in Hotel, Hospital, Banks, Automobile is just breathtaking with fiction mixed with facts. The issues in Airport Industry was well captured in Novel AIRPORT, which was adapted in to movies. (Runway ZERO 08, as Airport 75, and subsequent as Airport 77) I recollect watching the 77 version about 40 years back which was breath taking and etched in you forever.....  

I cant help laughing out loud at GUJARAT Model that is ooed and awed and how MODI used it to become PM! I have posted 100s of tweets but never covered it in my blog!So here I go. MODI became PM as there was no alternate and III term to CONGOONS was a recipe for a disaster in 2014.(Another matter 3 years of MODI is all NATO-->NO ACTION,TALK ONLY & worst Team in Indian governance history) Gujaratis are nice blokes,warm hospitality, god fearing people. But beyond that, in terms of education, health care, child mortality, woman miscarriage during pregnancy, openness to adapt, generic educational Intelligence, (IQ,EQ ecosystems) it has some long way to go before reaching satisfactory level of performance even for Indian average and light years back in terms of performance matching South India.Yes, in terms of Industrialisation, revenue generation it is up there but when was last time that these items brought quality life!! Also our personal experiences were nothing great on these front to write home,about the 12 years, I (5 for Lalitha) spent. As I said at beginning, great people to socialise, but life is beyond socialising. I am not even going on the social security with curfew etc etc!!! 

Ok, take it easy, take care,stay safe,god bless

Karthik.

25/6/17

1710Hrs.