Well, Shakespeare had no inkling about Raju’s Satyam. Or for that matter about our B Ramalinga Raju. But, if he had known Raju and his very rather scheming grey matter, he would have thought twice before coming out with, “What’s in a name”!!
Satyam means the truth. And indeed, behind the façade of Satyam, the most heinous “asatya” has been in operation! That kind of Asatya that has left thousands of investors wondering what has hit them. The bolt from the blue has taken the wind out their sails..both literally and figuratively. Investors were sailing high on the Satyam waves when all of a sudden a tsunami sucked them in and left them in deep despair. This scam has caught us with our “pants down”!! How? Not so long ago we had Chidambaram shouting from the roof top that our “fundamentals are strong” and here we see how “strong” they actually are!! The timing of the scam has added to the misery of both the ordinary man and the man known as Dr.Man Mohan Singh. I am reminded of a saying in Hindi,” Ghareebi mein anta geela”!! As if we did not have enough turbulence!!
Scams have happened before and shall happen again. That is the beauty of the human mind. It is fertile and easily corruptible. It is malleable and bends more easily than a fresh young sapling. And Ramalinga Raju was one more who succumbed to the glittering world of wealth. The head which once rode high knows not where to hide today. The man whose company(pun intended) was sought by one and all has to live by himself in a cell for convicts and criminals. Such is the twist of fate.
What bothers me is not the scam or its scale. But what really bothers me is that there was a systemic failure- fooling the Auditors, the Banks, the SEBI, the other watchdogs of the Stock exchange. And this is serious because in my opinion there will be many more Rajus lurking in the dark world of corporate corruption. Some will never be brought to book. Some will never be known to the world, having breached the systemic lines with such ease and dexterity. It is obvious that this scam is similar to the Mumbai massacre in terms of systemic failure. And like the sudden awakening after Mumbai, we need heads to roll and a new enthusiasm injected to ensure that Rajus of the future are either buried even before they are born or castrated to ensure impotency in corruption.
So many so called safe guards, so many procedures, so many checks and balances..where were they when Raju swung into action? How they collapsed at his feet as if they never existed!!! Let me not sound like Laloo, but allow me to borrow his style and language,’ Raju ka narco karaeeye”! Indeed, let us not sweep the matter under the carpet. It would be prudent to get to those who connived, in any manner. Dig out the other unscrupulous brains who are hand in glove in this scam. As some one wrote, “The father of all scams” should not be left to those who parrot, Law will take its course”. We have learnt by now, Law has no flow and takes no course. Law is as capable of taking the course of those who implement it.
So, let us not be idyllic in perspective but be proactive and aggressive and fish out the big and small fishes that swam along with Raju. Let us give “life” to the otherwise dead “andha qanoon”. A small question before I sign off, “ In your opinion, how many such scams are already gnawing our economy and we are blissfully unaware of them??
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
The Arabs need to approach the Trio –Sino Indo Soviet.
The Arabs need to approach the Trio –Sino Indo Soviet.
Palestinians in Gaza are being Bombed, Blasted, Battered and then Buried. But, Barrack Obama is silent. The shrieks of the dying Palestinian children elicit no response. No cognizance of the bloody blood bath. In his silence is a story of what would unfold in the future. He carries the baton passed on by Bush. Expect nothing from the man who famously said, ‘Yes, we can”. For the Middle East, it should be read as, “ Yes, we can. But we will not”. The writing was always there. Now the global impotent community can also see that. But their impotence prevents any action. Hungry, malnutritioned, weakened moving skeletons are battered with powerful bombs! Even the US made bombs and bullets would be shamed when confronting the falling and fragile Palestinian ! But not the world leaders as they twiddle with their thumbs while the blood bath ravages, battering humanity as never before in the annals of modern history. Though Obama is tight lipped, I do remember that the US official spokesman said something like Hamas needs to stop shelling the Israel territories. The spokesman looked ill at ease as he faced the camera. He knew he was talking utter rubbish or should we say, the Mother of all Lies!?. For those who may not know, Israel violated the truce on 5th of November when it fired inside Gaza. The Hamas returned the fire. Period. Let me quote Sara Roy who teaches at Harvard's Center for Middle Eastern Studies, “ Israel's siege of Gaza began on 5 November, the day after an Israeli attack inside the strip, no doubt designed finally to undermine the truce between Israel and Hamas established last June. Although both sides had violated the agreement before, this incursion was on a different scale. Hamas responded by firing rockets into Israel and the violence has not abated since then.”. The idea that Hamas has broken the truce is total hogwash aimed at only fooling the already fooled world. Israel’s offensive, the most brutal since 60 years, is designed as a preemptive kill. Having learnt the lesson from the battering they got at the hands of Hezbollah, the Israelis are taking no chances and this massacre is aimed at breaking the back of Hamas lest they develop into any threat. They instigated Hamas as they never wanted the truce to be extended. And it should not be forgotten that Hamas is a legally and democratically elected government in Palestine.
Gaza is a small tract of land, just about 42 Kms length and the width not exceeding 7-8 Kms at any place. And within this small land, there are 1.5 million people making it one of the most densely populated areas in the world. And then one remembers the US spokesman once again saying, “ We urge Israel to be precise and restrict civilian killings”! It’s like when spraying insecticide you wish the fruits are unaffected! The people in Gaza are trapped and Israel uses this to their advantage. One side there is the Sea, the other two sides is the border with the traditional Palestine and the last side has Egypt , who has conveniently closed the border. The battered Palestinian cannot escape the wrath of Israeli fire. He is in a huge Ghetto, cordoned off from all sides.
The New Year dawns…wonder what kind of a message the poor battered Palestinian would want to give to the world-“You danced all night to usher the New Year whilst we sat up all night in a corner waiting for the next bomb? Or for that matter, what New Year wishes would Obama/ Bush want to send to the dying? Happy Dying? We wish you quick and painless death? New Year awaits only those who fall at the feet of Pharon Ehud Barrack!
The Arabs need to review and sift the facts from dreams. For the last half a century the Arabs waited for the Americans to deliver. Let’s be fair, they tried, but could not. Some tried honestly but ran headlong into the “wailing wall” sympathizers and then seeing the risks involved, gave up. Today, the Arabs are at the crossroads. They know not where to go. Their own have also deserted them. Or rather “sold out” on them.
But there is hope. And I see the rising sun from the East bring the possibilities of a fair and just solution. But for this, the Arabs need to tighten the waist and be a little more pragmatic. America failed to provide succor. Europe had it’s own interest in ensuring that the Jews do not spill back to them, Hence half hearted efforts in providing just about some lip service and financial aid to the hungry battered Palestinian so that he continues to fight their war…and the poor Palestinian never knew that!!
America is on the wane. Gradually but surely, the internal problems will suffocate this once great nation- a pity that a nation of great people will be choked by the myopic and inefficient policy makers. The recent financial meltdown has shown their own vulnerability. India and China are the new emerging superpowers. Perhaps Russia may also rediscover some of its past glory and clout. And India has good and meaningful relations with Israel. The Arabs need to approach the Trio –Sino Indo Soviet. This has the most realistic chances of reaching to a solution which would be fair and just.
The Arabs should thank the Americans and the Europeans and then move over to the new Trio. And yes, since now the Green Buck is loosing it’s sheen and colour, oil should be sold in the currencies of those who are willing to play an honest and efficient peace broker. Again, why not look east for all the needs? I suppose it is fair to believe in, You scratch my back, I scratch yours”. If the Trio is going to be the honest big brother, then why not shift your purchase paradigms towards them? Look for all the needs from them. This ways, even they will be suitably motivated and reciprocate accordingly. Imagine Indian cars all over the Arab World? As a matter of fact, they already are, though in small numbers. Chinese and Russians can take a bigger share of the construction and other development segments. We can have all the consumer products from the Trio. And once in the region, then nations like Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan can also pitch in with their expertise. And all this will be great from the point of view of the Balance of Trade also. Greater self sufficiency in trade within the region. This requires steps at the Macro and the Micro levels. Micro means, you and me. Does it give you ideas? A step taken today is a step closer to destination.
The Arabs need to regroup and stop speaking in individual voices. They need to be one single roar..the great Arabian Roar…the roar of Salahuddin Ayuibi. The world order is fast changing. New paradigms are being forged and new visions are in the process of being made. Age adds maturity. Time ushers new equations. New equations bring new friends. Some old ones fall by the wayside. Some continue. Arabs should be more open to the East. The GCC and the others need to pick up the gauntlet. Take the first stride forward. Rest will follow. But the great question looming is “ Who will bell the cat”? Which enlightened nation will put up its hand and deliver? Which leader stiffens his sinews and gives the call? In my opinion, a win- win situation emerges as soon as the first step is taken.
For those who are keen to celebrate the New Year, the picture of Ahmed should make you think otherwise. Ahmed, once a man full two metres, was blown up in innumerable pieces in Gaza, and it took a long time to put him together before being put into the grave. Ahmed’s mother sits still. She has had the courage to be one of those who gathered her son together. She has stopped crying. Her eyes neither close not weep. But she has courage writ large on her face. She has not wailed or battered herself. She has vowed not to be cowed down as she looks as Ahmed’s younger brother- Mohammad, who is still to see puberty. She still nurtures a dream for Mohammad.
One Palestinian confided to me, “ We will never give up our land” and like the Martyred Rayyan, there is a great desire for martyrdom amongst the locals. It is rumoured that Rayyan was advised to leave his house and hide as the enemy was sure to target him, but he declined. He prayed for martyrdom for himself and his family. He got it.
I wonder when the Israelis and the Americans will realize-How do you fight a nation that loves martyrdom?
Palestinians in Gaza are being Bombed, Blasted, Battered and then Buried. But, Barrack Obama is silent. The shrieks of the dying Palestinian children elicit no response. No cognizance of the bloody blood bath. In his silence is a story of what would unfold in the future. He carries the baton passed on by Bush. Expect nothing from the man who famously said, ‘Yes, we can”. For the Middle East, it should be read as, “ Yes, we can. But we will not”. The writing was always there. Now the global impotent community can also see that. But their impotence prevents any action. Hungry, malnutritioned, weakened moving skeletons are battered with powerful bombs! Even the US made bombs and bullets would be shamed when confronting the falling and fragile Palestinian ! But not the world leaders as they twiddle with their thumbs while the blood bath ravages, battering humanity as never before in the annals of modern history. Though Obama is tight lipped, I do remember that the US official spokesman said something like Hamas needs to stop shelling the Israel territories. The spokesman looked ill at ease as he faced the camera. He knew he was talking utter rubbish or should we say, the Mother of all Lies!?. For those who may not know, Israel violated the truce on 5th of November when it fired inside Gaza. The Hamas returned the fire. Period. Let me quote Sara Roy who teaches at Harvard's Center for Middle Eastern Studies, “ Israel's siege of Gaza began on 5 November, the day after an Israeli attack inside the strip, no doubt designed finally to undermine the truce between Israel and Hamas established last June. Although both sides had violated the agreement before, this incursion was on a different scale. Hamas responded by firing rockets into Israel and the violence has not abated since then.”. The idea that Hamas has broken the truce is total hogwash aimed at only fooling the already fooled world. Israel’s offensive, the most brutal since 60 years, is designed as a preemptive kill. Having learnt the lesson from the battering they got at the hands of Hezbollah, the Israelis are taking no chances and this massacre is aimed at breaking the back of Hamas lest they develop into any threat. They instigated Hamas as they never wanted the truce to be extended. And it should not be forgotten that Hamas is a legally and democratically elected government in Palestine.
Gaza is a small tract of land, just about 42 Kms length and the width not exceeding 7-8 Kms at any place. And within this small land, there are 1.5 million people making it one of the most densely populated areas in the world. And then one remembers the US spokesman once again saying, “ We urge Israel to be precise and restrict civilian killings”! It’s like when spraying insecticide you wish the fruits are unaffected! The people in Gaza are trapped and Israel uses this to their advantage. One side there is the Sea, the other two sides is the border with the traditional Palestine and the last side has Egypt , who has conveniently closed the border. The battered Palestinian cannot escape the wrath of Israeli fire. He is in a huge Ghetto, cordoned off from all sides.
The New Year dawns…wonder what kind of a message the poor battered Palestinian would want to give to the world-“You danced all night to usher the New Year whilst we sat up all night in a corner waiting for the next bomb? Or for that matter, what New Year wishes would Obama/ Bush want to send to the dying? Happy Dying? We wish you quick and painless death? New Year awaits only those who fall at the feet of Pharon Ehud Barrack!
The Arabs need to review and sift the facts from dreams. For the last half a century the Arabs waited for the Americans to deliver. Let’s be fair, they tried, but could not. Some tried honestly but ran headlong into the “wailing wall” sympathizers and then seeing the risks involved, gave up. Today, the Arabs are at the crossroads. They know not where to go. Their own have also deserted them. Or rather “sold out” on them.
But there is hope. And I see the rising sun from the East bring the possibilities of a fair and just solution. But for this, the Arabs need to tighten the waist and be a little more pragmatic. America failed to provide succor. Europe had it’s own interest in ensuring that the Jews do not spill back to them, Hence half hearted efforts in providing just about some lip service and financial aid to the hungry battered Palestinian so that he continues to fight their war…and the poor Palestinian never knew that!!
America is on the wane. Gradually but surely, the internal problems will suffocate this once great nation- a pity that a nation of great people will be choked by the myopic and inefficient policy makers. The recent financial meltdown has shown their own vulnerability. India and China are the new emerging superpowers. Perhaps Russia may also rediscover some of its past glory and clout. And India has good and meaningful relations with Israel. The Arabs need to approach the Trio –Sino Indo Soviet. This has the most realistic chances of reaching to a solution which would be fair and just.
The Arabs should thank the Americans and the Europeans and then move over to the new Trio. And yes, since now the Green Buck is loosing it’s sheen and colour, oil should be sold in the currencies of those who are willing to play an honest and efficient peace broker. Again, why not look east for all the needs? I suppose it is fair to believe in, You scratch my back, I scratch yours”. If the Trio is going to be the honest big brother, then why not shift your purchase paradigms towards them? Look for all the needs from them. This ways, even they will be suitably motivated and reciprocate accordingly. Imagine Indian cars all over the Arab World? As a matter of fact, they already are, though in small numbers. Chinese and Russians can take a bigger share of the construction and other development segments. We can have all the consumer products from the Trio. And once in the region, then nations like Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan can also pitch in with their expertise. And all this will be great from the point of view of the Balance of Trade also. Greater self sufficiency in trade within the region. This requires steps at the Macro and the Micro levels. Micro means, you and me. Does it give you ideas? A step taken today is a step closer to destination.
The Arabs need to regroup and stop speaking in individual voices. They need to be one single roar..the great Arabian Roar…the roar of Salahuddin Ayuibi. The world order is fast changing. New paradigms are being forged and new visions are in the process of being made. Age adds maturity. Time ushers new equations. New equations bring new friends. Some old ones fall by the wayside. Some continue. Arabs should be more open to the East. The GCC and the others need to pick up the gauntlet. Take the first stride forward. Rest will follow. But the great question looming is “ Who will bell the cat”? Which enlightened nation will put up its hand and deliver? Which leader stiffens his sinews and gives the call? In my opinion, a win- win situation emerges as soon as the first step is taken.
For those who are keen to celebrate the New Year, the picture of Ahmed should make you think otherwise. Ahmed, once a man full two metres, was blown up in innumerable pieces in Gaza, and it took a long time to put him together before being put into the grave. Ahmed’s mother sits still. She has had the courage to be one of those who gathered her son together. She has stopped crying. Her eyes neither close not weep. But she has courage writ large on her face. She has not wailed or battered herself. She has vowed not to be cowed down as she looks as Ahmed’s younger brother- Mohammad, who is still to see puberty. She still nurtures a dream for Mohammad.
One Palestinian confided to me, “ We will never give up our land” and like the Martyred Rayyan, there is a great desire for martyrdom amongst the locals. It is rumoured that Rayyan was advised to leave his house and hide as the enemy was sure to target him, but he declined. He prayed for martyrdom for himself and his family. He got it.
I wonder when the Israelis and the Americans will realize-How do you fight a nation that loves martyrdom?
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