Katrina...another thought

Nature is not very choosy about how she goes about with her business. Unfortunately, the leaders (netas?) of the world are just as blind as Nature in being undiscriminating – when it comes to ignoring the common man’s plight.

It is human nature to compare, and inevitably we end up comparing things that are nowhere comparable. Katrina is a tragedy…and very huge one at that and should not be compared to the Mumbai deluge.

In spite of all the accolades being showered on the ‘spirit’ of the Mumbaikar and how he (and she) took care of each other when disaster struck, I personally feel, that we too would have reacted in the much same way (violence, looting, killing, etc.) if our backs were pushed to the walls (that, you see, is also a very ‘human’ nature).

It’s not just the willpower or the desire to help that is enough…but the ability and the availability of resources that matter too. Would these people, who rushed out in to the streets, have bothered if their homes (not to mention the children, elders, sick) were drowning? Would we not have tried to take care of our kith and kin first? Would some of us not have used force to get what we ‘needed’? Would we have been so generous when we had nothing to return to after giving away what we had?

Without justifying the acts, let me add here that the ‘culprits’ did what they did to feed and take care of themselves and their family…what about the contractors and business men who send substandard aid material or even divert the aid from the needy and make millions out of another man’s tragedy?

Yes, there would definitely be people who put others before themselves…they are the exceptions that prove the rule. Similarly, I am sure even in New Orleans not all were the looters and killers – if that was so, then who were the victims!

What’s disturbing is that countries spend trillions on creating an illusion of invulnerability. In the bargain they forget (deliberately?) that a fraction of that, if spent on the upliftment of the poorer section of the society, would at least prevent the prolonged hardships one ends up facing after Nature strikes. What’s even funny (not the ha-ha kind, but the sheeessh kind) is that all that expenditure never stopped determined rebel/terrorist/neighbor from attacking and killing so many, so often.

I hope (I don’t pray, since I am an agnostic), that the sufferings (of the Katrina Victims and others around the world) would end and that life returns to normalcy at the earliest.

Wanakkam

Katrina...

“India has pledged US $ 5,00,00,00.00 (United Stated Dollars Five Million Only) to the US of A for relief works….”, DD News, 6th September 2005.

That is, for your information, Rs. 225,000,000.00 (Twenty Two Crores and Fifty Lakhs Only). This is the amount that is being given to a country, which has

• The largest economy in the world.


• The largest nuclear arsenal in the world.


• The largest pool of brainpower in the world.


• The largest budget in the world.


• The largest space program in the world.


• The best warning systems and technology in the world.


• The list will go on…

This is the same country, which at every turn has fueled terrorism and then pretends to fight it. (Think back and you will see how it armed Iraq to fight Iran, when it suited its plan. Think back and you will see how Pakistan – who was and still is being helped by American Technology and Funds – even now are harboring and shielding known terrorists.)

This the same country, which feels it’s its birthright to attack another nation because some suspected terrorists who attacked its soil are hiding there…in the same breath, it does not lift a finger to get the persons suspected of causing havoc in our cities, to justice. On the contrary helps them against us. This is the same country, which is quick to impose sanctions against us, if we don’t toe their line.

I don’t wish to and I am sure there is no need to bring out the reasons for which I feel so strongly against the contribution, which our Nation has pledged.

I am, by nature, a very undiscriminating person. I dislike everybody equally. So, I am not particularly anti-American or anti-Black American or for that matter anti-anything…as long as the person/community/country/thing/technology/discovery/ etc. does not harm anyone in the process.

I have been through an invasion (Iraq-Kuwait, 1990), though not through the war. I have felt the tremors that shook Gujarat a few years ago. But, I was safely in Mumbai when thousands lost their kin and kind. I was in Mumbai during the latest deluge. I (and my dear ones) was spared from the misfortune that befell so many of the Mumbaikars.

So, I have not really gone through the hardships (this maybe a understatement) that many have gone through during the trying times (across the globe). Therefore, some may feel that I am simply too calloused to understand the sufferings. Believe me, I am not. I feel pain too.

Also, I am not blind to the fact that we ‘have to do’ certain things in the name of humanitarian causes and/or to maintain diplomacy. Please do so by all means. But does diplomacy have to be practiced at the cost of your own lives. Doesn’t charity begin at home anymore?

I can understand the reason behind helping a nation like Afghanistan to rebuild it. But money/aid to USA? Why? Especially, when there is so much need for it here, in our country.

Villages are without water and food. Even major cities lack the proper infrastructure. Hospitals don’t have basic equipments (oygen cylinders without oxygen!). Commuting to work (for a common person) is such an ordeal. Schools lack the facilities and teachers don’t get paid. Need I go on?

Don’t these problems need to be attended? If there is a lack of funds (it is entirely a different matter that we have enough for the neta’s to siphon off and loot, and drown our cities), then why are we borrowing to pay for other’s sins?

Why should Bush enjoy vacations with the taxes I pay?

Wanakkam.

SMS – Smart Money Sense

6 * 100 * 10 * 20 * 20 = 2400000. 24 lakhs in 20 minutes...

6 (Rs/SMS) * 100 (entries) * 10 (cities) * 20 (districts) * 20 (states) = 6 * 400000 (people trying for the 2 lakhs cash price).
Imagine what if 1000 entries try out from 100 cities??
The figure simply grows by 2 more zeroes and yields a whooping 24 crores!!
And it does not stops there...1000 entries from 100 towns is a very small number. In practice it could be another multiple of 100 or worst case a multiple of 1000 on an average.
In that case it is 24 * 100 crores earnings in just 20 minutes on every episode!
And the price money :-)) mere 2 CRORE - and from whose pocket ;-)
Smart Money Sense (SMS)
And the best part of this calculation is just the SMS earning! What about the Advertisement revenue? A rough annual profit calculation goes like this.
2400 * (3 * 4) (episodes/month) * 12 = 576000 crores
Even 50% get dissolved in taxes and other payments; it still leaves (which includes even the meager 480 crores of price money, i.e., if every episode bags 2 crore prize!!)
2,88,000 crores profit (only from SMS!!!!)

I don’t know how true or how valid this calculation is. But just imagine if our state (MH) government could run a simple(!) game show like this we could pay off the entire debt of the state (said to be about Rs. 1,00,000 (one lakh) crores) in just a year’s time…and still have about the same amount of money in the kitty...and the fame & fortune that goes with it for the netas.

Anyone for a lil game?

Wanakkam