Saturday, May 28, 2011

Proposed communication with Bharat

Dear Bharat:
An umbilical knot tie us, the alma mater, that do invoke the good feelings.
I am delighted to learn that you want to raise $200K. Yes that kind of money can make a difference but before you do that it is absolutely necessary that the organization is built up to be transparent and responsive and ready to handle such load, with dignity. This is has gone on for years. The year end auditors report is not even worth the paper it is written on, considering what happened under the direct eyes of Big Six(Aurthur Anderson etc.) in US Banks. I hope you are not passing through the NITRaa system.

We have at present a system in which even after 4 months there is no account of the money spent on the "Home coming" ceremony. They can't justify the budget and then make a higher budget and levy a higher burden (Rs. 1000) on the kids, in the name of a constitution. This inspite of my written objection to it.
Thanks to Saroj, though recent improvement has been significant in networking with alumni but both democracy and accounting are at infancy. They are not ready to handle the kind of money you are talking about.

I hope after going through what you have gone through (you have your critiques among your friends to spread the word around), you should keep away from such ventures, in my opinion. But you are an adult brother and you are at full liberty to do whatever you want to do and think can do with dignity and honor.

Regarding the funds neither I can't nor I intend to keep track of the details of who paid who or what you did. Fakir did not even give me the account who he got 35 K (of which only you and he donated 5 K each), after I asked him specifically as to who the donors were. Thus, I feel is that the fund accounting is not transparent. The two treasurers are for what ever reason not functioning and/or not allowed to handle money. And General Secretary has to do everything being trusted, but that means he is overwhelmed with work. This is niether a good situation nor a good process. In my vision if we are to handle large sums of money the data need to be available in web and we should be able to take snaps at any time, to help avoid manipulation by a wrong kind of guy who may step in when huge sums of money are in. Even in USA Universities this happens once in a while.

Here I think we have been wanting and the impression of alumni going back to your years as President, is an unclean one event (Home coming) organization, with no clear accountability. I know you will have many explanations to give and were even a reluctant operator. But the impression is around - that of an unresponsive, non-transparent organization.
To give one example: HiTech, the software contractor is continuing year after year on the false pretext that they own the computer codes and being paid at thrice the market rate. I don't know who their God father is, probably you do.

But as long as the process is not clean and answers are not coming, I will suggest that you keep away from big dreams. The same is applicable for the 2011. But for that there is time if we start, NOW.
Best wishes,
Sandip



On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 4:11 AM, Bharat Bhusan Mohanty <bharat.mohanty@mbecl.co.in> wrote:
July 31, 2009

My dear Sandip Bhai,

It was such a pleasure to talk to you and i am indeed thankful for that. I am immensely grateful to you for your nice words and gesture.

On return i start from where i left i.e. in respect of the alumni meet of our batch 1969 in December this year to celebrate four decades of passing out of RECR. Led by Sukhendu in a particular endeavour, our batch plans to do a project for the institute which will help the students and be a value-addition. Can you please suggest a project costing say around US $ 200K ± 10%. We shall try to raise the amount. We shall also take out the last directory.(We published one in 2005 & updated in 2007). Majority have settled. We are ageing, average age 63. Some are still on job. Therefore we wanted to have address of the friends settled in US. We shall not disturb them, since they do not want to be. Even if it is not a complete address, if the location and street be collected, it will be a great help.My request towards this is still standing

My son is bit crazy. Not satisfied with any job, he kept on job-hopping, did not apply for green card, did not agree to marry and now wants to come back. He has specialization in health care, he says ‘next generation health care technology’- where is the field in India. I can only wish him all the best. Daughter has to manage her research and baby. Son-in-law Prakash Samal (He graduated from IIT, Madras and IIM, Kolkata) has to work hard to support his wife in raising the child. We cannot do anything but cannot help remaining concerned. Life is like that.

Bhai, there is one misunderstanding, i think, concerning me and Fakir, due of course to me. I had handed over Rs. 10K cash to him, who in turn, was to handover to Saroj, Rs. 5 K for Help Fund to help Ashok and Rs. 5K for paying as advance for reservation of guest house for our December meet. Saroj has already sent me a receipt for Rs. 5K. Recently Fakira sent a mail saying Rs. 5K is for Ashok Kamila, that means entire Rs. 10K will go on ‘help fund’ without leaving anything for guest house booking. I will get the matter silently corrected. i.e. my contribution this year is Rs. 5K. Every year I will try to contribute similar amount by saving from day to day expenses. This is for your information please.

With love and best wishes to your daughter, regards to Bhauja and you

Sincerely,

Bharat



McNally Bharat Engineering Co.Ltd.
ISO 9001-2000 Company
4 Mangoe Lane, 4th,5th & 7th Floor, Kolkata - 700001
Phone: 65500725-39, Fax- 22480340/5016
Visit us at: www.mcnallybharat.com


Thursday, March 03, 2011

Neimullar - Modified (Collected from Web)

Neimullar - Modified (Collected from Web)
"First they came...
First they came for the car unions,
and I didn't speak out because I didn't work in Detroit.

Then they came for the air traffic controllers,
and I didn't speak out because I thought, yeah they are too entitled.

Then they came for the welfare mothers,
and I didn't speak out because I thought, yeah they are lazy, aren't they?

Then they came for the all the industrial workers,
and I didn't speak out because I thought, well, NAFTA could be good for me.

Then they came for the free press,
and I didn't speak out because I believed it was fair and balanced.

Then they came for everyone's savings and retirement money,
and I didn't speak out because I thought bubbles happen and deregulation will make me money.

Then they came for people with houses and predatory loans,
and I didn't speak out because they said greedy low-income people brought down the system.

Then they came for the right to an education,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a student or a teacher.

Then they came for those who organized to fight the rich,
and I didn't speak out because I believe them when they said it was about the budget.

Then they came for the mentally ill,
and I didn't speak out because I didn't have a problem and didn't know anyone who did.

Then they came for the sick,
and I didn't speak out because I was healthy and had a job with what I thought was good health insurance.

Then they came for the old and disabled,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't either and I believed them when they said social security couldn't be fixed and we must all


Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

FEC in Standoff Over Secret Campaign Money

FEC in Standoff Over Secret Campaign Money

Secret campaign ad financing in offing as FEC is deadlocked

First they came - modified for Madison, WI

"First they came...
First they came for the car unions,
and I didn't speak out because I didn't work in Detroit.

Then they came for the air traffic controllers,
and I didn't speak out because I thought, yeah they are too entitled.

Then they came for the welfare mothers,
and I didn't speak out because I thought, yeah they are lazy, aren't they?

Then they came for the all the industrial workers,
and I didn't speak out because I thought, well, NAFTA could be good for me.

Then they came for the free press,
and I didn't speak out because I believed it was fair and balanced.

Then they came for everyone's savings and retirement money,
and I didn't speak out because I thought bubbles happen and deregulation will make me money.

Then they came for people with houses and predatory loans,
and I didn't speak out because they said greedy low-income people brought down the system.

Then they came for the right to an education,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a student or a teacher.

Then they came for those who organized to fight the rich,
and I didn't speak out because I believe them when they said it was about the budget.

Then they came for the mentally ill,
and I didn't speak out because I didn't have a problem and didn't know anyone who did.

Then they came for the sick,
and I didn't speak out because I was healthy and had a job with what I thought was good health insurance.

Then they came for the old and disabled,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't either and I believed them when they said social security couldn't be fixed and we must all


Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Monday, November 30, 2009

"My Favorite Things" - remade by Julie Andrews, now 69 for AARP benefit

Julie Andrews turned 69 and to commemorate her 69th birthday on October 1, actress/vocalist Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan 's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was "My Favorite Things" from the legendary movie "The Sound Of Music."

Here are the actual lyrics she used:

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Cadillacs and cataracts, and hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things..
When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.
Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Back pains, confused brains, and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short, shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.
When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four
minutes and repeated encores. Please share Ms. Andrews' clever wit and
humour with others who would appreciate it.*

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Thou too Brutus?? - Sandip K. Dasverma

Link: http://www.thesamaja.com/news_view.php?news_id=6328
In the famous and immortal play Julious ceaser of Willium Shakespere’s Julius Ceaser on the verge of his assassination finds his long time trusted friend and political accomplice Brutus among the asassains and calls out “Thou too Brutus?”.

Today’s news about Tata company’s involvement in breaking law with impunity in Odisa’s premier daily, The Samaj gives me that surprise and shock. Ratan Tata’s Tata is obviously no longer the TATAs of Jamshedji TATA, nationalist, ethical, progressive and driven by a missionary zeal rather than profits. But that may be too much to expect from a MNC (Multi-National Corporation) that today’s TATA is.

Below are the statistics from Samaja link above that I quote for your information and individual conclusions. My conclusion shockingly is, TATA is no different anymore. It is one of the vultures out there for Odisa’s resources, like Vedanta or POSCO or Jindal or Bhusan or Birla. Except the other players never had a claim to being ethical or having any public purpose or on a mission.

My scepticism about allowing a special port to POSCO in a SEZ is reinforced. Do you think they will only raise 400 millions and export? Some one got to be kidding and taking us for a ride. Imagine at the present price it is worth $40 billions or 2 lakh crores plus/minus.(Rs. 5000/Tonne)

Let me give you the data what this article in The Samaj, which made me so distraught:

1. Iron Ore Raising beyond permit worth 1272 crores:
Financial Year---Permit:(Tonnes)---Raised:(Tonnes)
1999 - 2000 ----- 1680000 -------- 2122265
2000-2001 -------- do ------------- 2709402
2001-2002 -------- do ------------- 2909979
2002-2003 -------- do ------------- 3497025
2003-2004 -------- do ------------- 3457284
2004- 2005 -------- do------------- 4097336


2. Chromite Raising beyond limit worth Rs. 481 crores:
Financial Year---- Permit:(Tonnes)----Raised:(Tonnes)
2004- 2005 -------- 650000------------- 1098455
2005-2006 -------- 700000------------- 992820

Why it happened and how it happened are obviously to be investigated and responsibility fixed and concerned persons properly punished. As our Chief Minister says: "law should take it’s own course". Remorsefully, this has all happened in the decade that Navin babu has been at the helm. Now that everything and everyone is on the dock, he needs to set up fast courts and honest officers to punish this robbery of Orissa’s resources, the Oriya term “Hari loot” will be more appropriate. Corrective actions are the need of the hour and we wait and see if law takes it’s own course and how long does it take?
The time is the essence.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

TED India Mysore lectures - Selected Speeches 2 : Collected by Sandip K. Dasverma

1. TED India Mysore 2009 Lectures by Pranav Mistry on sixth sense at : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ted/TED-India-Pranav-Mistry/videoshow_ted/5231080.cms
2. TED Lecture by Hans Rosling:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tv/Hans-Rosling-Asias-rise--how-and-when/videoshow_ted/5261107.cms

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

TED - Selected Speeches: Collected by Sandip K. Dasverma

TED Speeches
1. Nandan Nilkeni’s speech On India's future: http://www.ted.com/talks/nandan_nilekani_s_ideas_for_india_s_future.html
2. Juan Enriquez on DNA reading http://www.ted.com/talks/juan_enriquez_on_genomics_and_our_future.html
3. Innovation by Charles Leadbeater http://www.ted.com/talks/charles_leadbeater_on_innovation.html
4. Howard Rheingold on Collaboration http://www.ted.com/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html
5. Robert Fischell –on his acceptance of TED award – medical inventing : http://www.ted.com/talks/robert_fischell_on_medical_inventing.html:
6. Case for optimism – Larry Brilliant: http://www.ted.com/talks/larry_brilliant_makes_the_case_for_optimism.html
7. How to stop pandemics – Larry Brilliant: http://www.ted.com/talks/larry_brilliant_wants_to_stop_pandemics.html
8. Inventing Twitter - Evan Williams : http://www.ted.com/talks/evan_williams_on_listening_to_twitter_users.html
9. Rebuilding Rwanda - Bill Clinton : http://www.ted.com/talks/bill_clinton_on_rebuilding_rwanda.html
10. Tales of Passion - Isabel Allende : http://www.ted.com/talks/isabel_allende_tells_tales_of_passion.html
11. Dean Kamen previews a new prosthetic arm: http://www.ted.com/talks/dean_kamen_previews_a_new_prosthetic_arm.html
12. Mosquitos, Malaria & Education – Bill Gates : http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/bill_gates_unplugged.html
13. Educating Leaders for Africa- Patrick Awuah: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/patrick_awuah_on_educating_leaders.html
14. Rebuilding broken States – Ashraf Ghani: http://www.ted.com/talks/ashraf_ghani_on_rebuilding_broken_states.html
15. Tribal Leadership by David Logan: http://www.ted.com/talks/david_logan_on_tribal_leadership.html
16. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on doing business in Africa http://www.ted.com/talks/ngozi_okonjo_iweala_on_doing_business_in_africa.html
17. Devdutt Patnaik - on Business of mythology:
http://www.ted.com/talks/devdutt_pattanaik.html
18. Tim Brown urges designers to think big: http://www.ted.com/talks/tim_brown_urges_designers_to_think_big.html
19. Robin Chase on Zipcar and her next venture:
20. One Laptop per child -Nicholas Negroponte:http://www.ted.com/talks/nicholas_negroponte_on_one_laptop_per_child.html