Just for the record, this is not an America bashing blog. I just like to share interesting facts that might change opinions that people have about the "world superpower".
BBC reported today that 96% of the 9 BILLION dollars that the US government awarded to the Iraqi government in reconstruction efforts is unaccounted for. A whopping $8.7 billion dollars goes missing and no one knows where?!
You would think that with all the corporate big whigs and great financial cream of the crops that exist in that side of the world, the American defense would hire a decent accountant to handle this job diligently.
Of course, all the funds were spent during the 2004-2007 time frame. Hail Republicans!! Isn't this the very party that promotes freedom of capitalism and a non regulated government? Oh why yes it is! Of course they would want deregulation in all sectors concerned with any kinds of financing. They are incapable of handling the tax payers money in a responsible manner. I am infuriated that they vote against government aided programs for the unemployed and needy of their own country when they have little value and show utter recklessness towards public funding.
Most of Obama administration critics have a problem with his policy because they believe in respecting corporate privacy and don't believe that government should be completely transparent.
Well, I think we can all see what that leads to. I paid thousands of dollars in taxes in that time period just like millions of Americans, and I deserve to know, what'd you do with my money Big Brother?!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
WANTED: Entrepreneurs!
Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page. These billionaire entrepreneurs all had one thing in common: they lacked a formalized business education. They also had in common a genius idea combined with excelling in their field of interest and an ambitious entrepreneurial spirit.
It is commonly and wrongly thought by many people that in order to succeed in a business, it is necessary to have some sort of a business administration degree, or graduate in a field related to business. However, looking at teenage and young successful business owners, it is safe to assume that it takes not that but indeed a much more specialized understanding of their own field (whatever that might be)and a strong ambition in order to do gain financial prosperity through business.
A formalized education does many things: it enhances your analytical ability, creates more useful, intelligent people, and creates workers, not necessarily employers.
America might lack a lot of bullets in their educational system, but somehow or another, they manage to vest in their students the ability to dream big. They promote taking risks and don't shun overwhelming optimism. Indian schools are quiet reverse in this aspect. They respect (and most of the time unreasonably)pieces of papers known as degrees and view them as a guarantee to attaining success. In reality, those who graduate with the most difficult degrees are the ones that are grossly underpaid for their labor, and has caused ingrained pessimism when it comes to future plans. What classrooms here need is to instill in students the possibilities they can pursue once they realize a great idea. We need to promote the risk taking, go getting attitude that correctly enforces that being successful is not denoted just by graduating from a good university, but from excelling in your field of interest and enhancing people's lives through a business idea that promotes these skills.
Including an entrepreneurship course work based curriculum starting from 7th or 8th grade can promote the "out of box" thinking that is the key to being a successful business owner. The heavy coursework and endless curricula that is the current standard in Indian schools might not have the space and time to include such activities, but undoubtedly this is the most important gap that needs to be filled in order to produce the next generation of Indian entrepreneurs. All in all, aren't the entrepreneurs of tomorrow in schools today?
That is the exact message that Indian schools need to incoporate in their curriculum today. A program that casually teaches young students the possiblities of dreaming big and using their ideas in a commericial theme so that they can acheive economic as well as personal success and satisfaction. It's time that we catch up with our American counterparts. Teenage entrepreneurs are growing in numbers everyday simply by employing the principles taught in this program. Let's get to business, already.
It is commonly and wrongly thought by many people that in order to succeed in a business, it is necessary to have some sort of a business administration degree, or graduate in a field related to business. However, looking at teenage and young successful business owners, it is safe to assume that it takes not that but indeed a much more specialized understanding of their own field (whatever that might be)and a strong ambition in order to do gain financial prosperity through business.
A formalized education does many things: it enhances your analytical ability, creates more useful, intelligent people, and creates workers, not necessarily employers.
America might lack a lot of bullets in their educational system, but somehow or another, they manage to vest in their students the ability to dream big. They promote taking risks and don't shun overwhelming optimism. Indian schools are quiet reverse in this aspect. They respect (and most of the time unreasonably)pieces of papers known as degrees and view them as a guarantee to attaining success. In reality, those who graduate with the most difficult degrees are the ones that are grossly underpaid for their labor, and has caused ingrained pessimism when it comes to future plans. What classrooms here need is to instill in students the possibilities they can pursue once they realize a great idea. We need to promote the risk taking, go getting attitude that correctly enforces that being successful is not denoted just by graduating from a good university, but from excelling in your field of interest and enhancing people's lives through a business idea that promotes these skills.
Including an entrepreneurship course work based curriculum starting from 7th or 8th grade can promote the "out of box" thinking that is the key to being a successful business owner. The heavy coursework and endless curricula that is the current standard in Indian schools might not have the space and time to include such activities, but undoubtedly this is the most important gap that needs to be filled in order to produce the next generation of Indian entrepreneurs. All in all, aren't the entrepreneurs of tomorrow in schools today?
That is the exact message that Indian schools need to incoporate in their curriculum today. A program that casually teaches young students the possiblities of dreaming big and using their ideas in a commericial theme so that they can acheive economic as well as personal success and satisfaction. It's time that we catch up with our American counterparts. Teenage entrepreneurs are growing in numbers everyday simply by employing the principles taught in this program. Let's get to business, already.
:Good riddance:
It's extremely hot
It smells weird
There are numerous homeless people
The traffic is insanely chaotic
The pollution is out of control
The population is not in control either
And the list can go on, as to why India isn't the most ideal place for so many people...But there is another list that is often overlooked
People have high hopes
Even a homeless person has sparkling eyes
Multiple religions coexist in the same city and region
There are over twenty different languages with more than ninety dialects
A dollar to charity will go further here than in any other Western nation
There are more opportunities to benefit the greater good
Being here makes you realize the small idiosyncracies that make our life convenient are actually all unnecessary and just fringe benefits
I've been in India for about two months now, and I've had plenty of people ask me "why in the world would you move to India from the States?" It is very difficult for me to answer this question, mostly because it is going to be biased, and also because I don't want to do injustice to either of the two countries. However, one thing I will say is that even through the numerous inconveniences that exist with living in a third world country, there is a weird sense of 'homeness' and 'belongingness' that lacks in Western countries. Even though there are times when I get frustrated with the everyday annoyances, I have never questioned my decision to move to India on a permanent basis.
I have learned more about myself, people, life, relationships, culture here in the last two months than I have in all my years combined so far. Perhaps it is because I was too young or naive to realize this earlier, or maybe I have too much time on my hands here (ha), it has been a very interesting transition and has met all my expectations so far.
If you're reading this note and haven't ever stepped out of the Western cocoon, I really suggest you do so. Moving to another country is not necessary to learn these lessons, delving in it for a few weeks will suffice. It might change your life in bigger ways than you think. Seriously.
Cheers.
It smells weird
There are numerous homeless people
The traffic is insanely chaotic
The pollution is out of control
The population is not in control either
And the list can go on, as to why India isn't the most ideal place for so many people...But there is another list that is often overlooked
People have high hopes
Even a homeless person has sparkling eyes
Multiple religions coexist in the same city and region
There are over twenty different languages with more than ninety dialects
A dollar to charity will go further here than in any other Western nation
There are more opportunities to benefit the greater good
Being here makes you realize the small idiosyncracies that make our life convenient are actually all unnecessary and just fringe benefits
I've been in India for about two months now, and I've had plenty of people ask me "why in the world would you move to India from the States?" It is very difficult for me to answer this question, mostly because it is going to be biased, and also because I don't want to do injustice to either of the two countries. However, one thing I will say is that even through the numerous inconveniences that exist with living in a third world country, there is a weird sense of 'homeness' and 'belongingness' that lacks in Western countries. Even though there are times when I get frustrated with the everyday annoyances, I have never questioned my decision to move to India on a permanent basis.
I have learned more about myself, people, life, relationships, culture here in the last two months than I have in all my years combined so far. Perhaps it is because I was too young or naive to realize this earlier, or maybe I have too much time on my hands here (ha), it has been a very interesting transition and has met all my expectations so far.
If you're reading this note and haven't ever stepped out of the Western cocoon, I really suggest you do so. Moving to another country is not necessary to learn these lessons, delving in it for a few weeks will suffice. It might change your life in bigger ways than you think. Seriously.
Cheers.
Monday, April 19, 2010
What Can Brown Do For You?
Ignorance is piss. Some incidents really teach you that. This post is not meant to be a complaint or a rant, however, I do believe that sharing this little blurb could be beneficial to at least one person.
So couple days ago I decided to visit my friends Jennifer and Jesse in Plymouth, Indiana. It's about 40 minutes away from lovely Chesterton and who doesn't want to leave town once in a while. So I get on the road and was peacefully driving on Route 30 going East. Half way to Plymouth, about 20 miles out of Valparaiso, the ride was starting to unwind smoothly. I see a police car in the opposite direction about half a mile up and I stayed in my lane and left my cruise on.
About half a mile after following me, the cop puts his lights on. As every good citizen should, I immediately pulled over to the shoulder lane and stopped. He walks out of the car, asks for my license and registration. I had it all on me (thank god). I passed the documents over to him, he looked at it and asked me "Where are you from?"
"Chesterton," I replied.
"No, I mean originally," he continued.
"Oh, yeah, originally I suppose I am from India, as in my roots," I answered.
Mr. Officer seemed confused. He goes, "oh, okay. So do you comfortably speak and understand English? I mean, do you know what I'm saying to you right now?"
hmm... If I answer no, wouldn't that still answer his question?
This incident reminded me of something similar that happened a couple years ago. I was at a bank in Michigan and the teller couldn't look up my account number as I had printed it on the withdrawal sheet. She looked at me and said, "I can't find your account in here. I mean, do you even have a social security number?" Lol.
Ah, the joys of being a minority in America.
By the way, the answer to both of the above questions was YES! JIC someone's still wondering...
So couple days ago I decided to visit my friends Jennifer and Jesse in Plymouth, Indiana. It's about 40 minutes away from lovely Chesterton and who doesn't want to leave town once in a while. So I get on the road and was peacefully driving on Route 30 going East. Half way to Plymouth, about 20 miles out of Valparaiso, the ride was starting to unwind smoothly. I see a police car in the opposite direction about half a mile up and I stayed in my lane and left my cruise on.
About half a mile after following me, the cop puts his lights on. As every good citizen should, I immediately pulled over to the shoulder lane and stopped. He walks out of the car, asks for my license and registration. I had it all on me (thank god). I passed the documents over to him, he looked at it and asked me "Where are you from?"
"Chesterton," I replied.
"No, I mean originally," he continued.
"Oh, yeah, originally I suppose I am from India, as in my roots," I answered.
Mr. Officer seemed confused. He goes, "oh, okay. So do you comfortably speak and understand English? I mean, do you know what I'm saying to you right now?"
hmm... If I answer no, wouldn't that still answer his question?
This incident reminded me of something similar that happened a couple years ago. I was at a bank in Michigan and the teller couldn't look up my account number as I had printed it on the withdrawal sheet. She looked at me and said, "I can't find your account in here. I mean, do you even have a social security number?" Lol.
Ah, the joys of being a minority in America.
By the way, the answer to both of the above questions was YES! JIC someone's still wondering...
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Education Revolution Is In Motion...
Babysitting has it's joys. I've been around my 5 and 7 year old niece and nephew lately. It's interesting to see how children learn how to socially interact and associate cultural inferences to what they learn in classrooms and from peers. The important topic of the 'kind of education' comes to mind when evaluating well-roundedness and social intelligence.
Being brought up in both India and the States has brought to my attention the significance of academic versus social intelligence. There is a thorough and distinct difference that exists in ways how children are exposed to new ideas and topics. Granted it is next to impossible to beat years of solid academic foundation, but it is also crucial to note that a well-rounded and multifaceted training technique has its perks and advantages than to just having a sound academic background.
Because the academic base in Western school systems is weak, there are plenty of third party services available to weaker students for help with basic schoolwork and comprehension (i.e. Kumon, Sylvan) . The American education system, however, does an excellent job in providing students the opportunity to excel at sports, music, school government, hobby and social clubs, etc. which in turn leads to creating more opportunities for pupils to grow socially and pursue passionate arenas for expertise.
The Indian school of thought is a little reverse in this aspect. No doubt that the Eastern culture focuses more on the mathematics and sciences, sometimes mixed with rote learning techniques, but in turn the overall populace is much more sound in solid academic principles. However, students lose out on social and passion driven activities that eventually lead to more rounded individuals overall.
With the reverse of the American case in play, third party institutions that provide such skills within the Indian education system are the pillars needed to fill this gap for young students. One such institution is Discover Life based in New Delhi. Working with private as well as public schools, they seek to provide the training and skill set that can be of great asset to youth in today's highly competitive and fast paced industries.
The answer to a perfect education is a complex one and requires restructuring and reprioritizing on several levels of the education sector, but perhaps the first step towards acheiving this ultimate goal is to address the weakest links of the system. A confident and goal-oriented group of young individuals have the power to focus their energy and interest given the right direction through an organized learning experience like Discover Life.
The extra effort that will be required to fulfill the program successfully will in turn be an asset to the participants involved and pave the path for a well prioritized and real world applicable education system in the future.
Having been lucky to experience both, I truly believe that these types of goal-driven and leadership programs are the answer to India's intelligent yet confused student base. Do you get it? A revolution is in motion.
Being brought up in both India and the States has brought to my attention the significance of academic versus social intelligence. There is a thorough and distinct difference that exists in ways how children are exposed to new ideas and topics. Granted it is next to impossible to beat years of solid academic foundation, but it is also crucial to note that a well-rounded and multifaceted training technique has its perks and advantages than to just having a sound academic background.
Because the academic base in Western school systems is weak, there are plenty of third party services available to weaker students for help with basic schoolwork and comprehension (i.e. Kumon, Sylvan) . The American education system, however, does an excellent job in providing students the opportunity to excel at sports, music, school government, hobby and social clubs, etc. which in turn leads to creating more opportunities for pupils to grow socially and pursue passionate arenas for expertise.
The Indian school of thought is a little reverse in this aspect. No doubt that the Eastern culture focuses more on the mathematics and sciences, sometimes mixed with rote learning techniques, but in turn the overall populace is much more sound in solid academic principles. However, students lose out on social and passion driven activities that eventually lead to more rounded individuals overall.
With the reverse of the American case in play, third party institutions that provide such skills within the Indian education system are the pillars needed to fill this gap for young students. One such institution is Discover Life based in New Delhi. Working with private as well as public schools, they seek to provide the training and skill set that can be of great asset to youth in today's highly competitive and fast paced industries.
The answer to a perfect education is a complex one and requires restructuring and reprioritizing on several levels of the education sector, but perhaps the first step towards acheiving this ultimate goal is to address the weakest links of the system. A confident and goal-oriented group of young individuals have the power to focus their energy and interest given the right direction through an organized learning experience like Discover Life.
The extra effort that will be required to fulfill the program successfully will in turn be an asset to the participants involved and pave the path for a well prioritized and real world applicable education system in the future.
Having been lucky to experience both, I truly believe that these types of goal-driven and leadership programs are the answer to India's intelligent yet confused student base. Do you get it? A revolution is in motion.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Side Effects May Include...
It's been an intense last couple months in the political arena. It ended relatively well for the supporters of the bill in the recent health care reform craze that has swept and divided the country.
Given the current state of the economy and rate of bankruptcy due to health care expenses it had become quiet clear that a sea change was required. So thanks to Obama and his Washington friends, 32 million Americans previously having no health care coverage are now under some sort of a universal plan. Additionally, this bill has freed us all from the cranky insurance companies rejecting or dropping claimants due to preexisting health conditions or a sudden disease that pops up unexpectedly (can't believe this took so long!!) Granted there are a lot of unhappy Republicans who don't believe in the cause and effects of the plan in discussion, but in a democratic society we should all do our part in supporting the whole so the additional Medicare taxes will hurt less than help.
One issue that perhaps requires immediate attention is the free and deliberate use of prescription drugs among various facets of the population. Fulfilling the legal requirement of stating all disclaimers and side effects, drug companies have used amazing marketing and psychological techniques to convince the masses their need and dependence of various unnecessary and exaggerated pharmaceutical drugs. It is amazing to see how personalized and tailored certain commercials are on print and television, and how boldly they attempt to convince millions of people that their problem (whatever that might be) is indeed a disease and needs immediate chemical attention to cure.
Makers of psychological drugs, do this particularly well by spinning stress related from actual life happenings as a chemical imbalance and mental disease. Engulfed in their pool of confusion and depression, people buy into these theories and later end up buying the drugs that will eventually desentisize their emotions and create a "balance" in their brain to make their boo-boos go away. On a particularly stressful day, beware of the "you might be suffering from blah blah" gimmick. Everyone is not sick! Sounds like legal drug use to me, but ah, the beauties of free market I suppose. Buy at your own risk.
I believe that a tighter monitoring of the standards that doctors use to prescribe certain (actually all) medications is needed. If it is illegal for tobacco companies to advertise on television due to the addictive nature of cigarettes, isn't it time we regulate how pharmaceutical companies aim and direct their advertising since prescription drugs have addictive tendencies as well? I guess I'm more concerned about their strategy in attempting to convince a set group of people that they have some type of a brain related disorder (depression or biopolar tendencies or lack of sleep or XYZ), and a regular legal drug intake will solve their issues. Maybe the answer to people's depressed states is not a $20/pill-popping schedule, but better management of stress and resources. Side effects may include clarity of head, sober decision making, and decreased intake of chemicals (darn).
Given the current state of the economy and rate of bankruptcy due to health care expenses it had become quiet clear that a sea change was required. So thanks to Obama and his Washington friends, 32 million Americans previously having no health care coverage are now under some sort of a universal plan. Additionally, this bill has freed us all from the cranky insurance companies rejecting or dropping claimants due to preexisting health conditions or a sudden disease that pops up unexpectedly (can't believe this took so long!!) Granted there are a lot of unhappy Republicans who don't believe in the cause and effects of the plan in discussion, but in a democratic society we should all do our part in supporting the whole so the additional Medicare taxes will hurt less than help.
One issue that perhaps requires immediate attention is the free and deliberate use of prescription drugs among various facets of the population. Fulfilling the legal requirement of stating all disclaimers and side effects, drug companies have used amazing marketing and psychological techniques to convince the masses their need and dependence of various unnecessary and exaggerated pharmaceutical drugs. It is amazing to see how personalized and tailored certain commercials are on print and television, and how boldly they attempt to convince millions of people that their problem (whatever that might be) is indeed a disease and needs immediate chemical attention to cure.
Makers of psychological drugs, do this particularly well by spinning stress related from actual life happenings as a chemical imbalance and mental disease. Engulfed in their pool of confusion and depression, people buy into these theories and later end up buying the drugs that will eventually desentisize their emotions and create a "balance" in their brain to make their boo-boos go away. On a particularly stressful day, beware of the "you might be suffering from blah blah" gimmick. Everyone is not sick! Sounds like legal drug use to me, but ah, the beauties of free market I suppose. Buy at your own risk.
I believe that a tighter monitoring of the standards that doctors use to prescribe certain (actually all) medications is needed. If it is illegal for tobacco companies to advertise on television due to the addictive nature of cigarettes, isn't it time we regulate how pharmaceutical companies aim and direct their advertising since prescription drugs have addictive tendencies as well? I guess I'm more concerned about their strategy in attempting to convince a set group of people that they have some type of a brain related disorder (depression or biopolar tendencies or lack of sleep or XYZ), and a regular legal drug intake will solve their issues. Maybe the answer to people's depressed states is not a $20/pill-popping schedule, but better management of stress and resources. Side effects may include clarity of head, sober decision making, and decreased intake of chemicals (darn).
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Purposeless Focus
Entertainment news has a special place in my heart. The corner reserved for unconditional, permanent bias. I guess I have never really understood the point of taking ordinary people and highlighting each and every aspect of their lives. Celebrities and other television personalities are ordinary people, really. For some reason, however, our society is obsessed with getting to know each and every little dirty detail about various aspects of thier lives. Do we really want to portray the image that being 15 and enrolled in rehab is a cool thing?
The 90's kids and beyond, mostly, have lost touch with reality and tend to lead their lives and draw their standards based on what the People Magazine or Us Weekly has to comment about someone they relate to in the limelight. Journalists and writers need to focus on grabbing the attention from all age groups, not just 40s and above, to educate them on the current status of the globe. It's amazing to me that news magazines such as Newsweek and Time have such a targeted audience by age. Mr. Zakaria, can I get an ay on that?
Foreign affairs and political environments is what we should focus on for the younger generation, instead of the newest diet on the block or who has the most cellulite in South Beach. Luckily for government and tricky politicians, their oversights and bad judgments often go unnoticed due to distraction.
Drug addictions and love affairs, marriage settlements and sloppy relationships shadow true facts and reality. I guess the point I'm making is that by focusing our energy and attention on useless, inconsequential, brainless dramatic facts, we are doing exactly what the corrupt state officials, or skewed lobbyists want us to do - not focus on them. Some sort of a wake up call to hold our voted officials accountable is needed. Perhaps the gossip columnists can 'give back to the community' by contributing an article of two of substance and actual information.
Wishful thinking is better than disappointing acceptance, I suppose.
The 90's kids and beyond, mostly, have lost touch with reality and tend to lead their lives and draw their standards based on what the People Magazine or Us Weekly has to comment about someone they relate to in the limelight. Journalists and writers need to focus on grabbing the attention from all age groups, not just 40s and above, to educate them on the current status of the globe. It's amazing to me that news magazines such as Newsweek and Time have such a targeted audience by age. Mr. Zakaria, can I get an ay on that?
Foreign affairs and political environments is what we should focus on for the younger generation, instead of the newest diet on the block or who has the most cellulite in South Beach. Luckily for government and tricky politicians, their oversights and bad judgments often go unnoticed due to distraction.
Drug addictions and love affairs, marriage settlements and sloppy relationships shadow true facts and reality. I guess the point I'm making is that by focusing our energy and attention on useless, inconsequential, brainless dramatic facts, we are doing exactly what the corrupt state officials, or skewed lobbyists want us to do - not focus on them. Some sort of a wake up call to hold our voted officials accountable is needed. Perhaps the gossip columnists can 'give back to the community' by contributing an article of two of substance and actual information.
Wishful thinking is better than disappointing acceptance, I suppose.
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