LOVE KNOWS NO LANGUAGE

A friend of mine, Naresh, recently narrated an incident which touched me. His younger brother, Vimal, is an Indian and has married a Britisher, Carolyn. They have four children, all in their teens. Carolyn and the children do not understand Hindi, the language spoken at Naresh's home. Recently, Vimal along with his family visited India to meet his mother, who is around 72 years. Vimal's mother understands English, but is unable to speak fluently. The family would meet during the breakfast and dinner as also during the day, when they were not sightseeing or shopping. Naresh and Vimal would take turns acting as a translator and have the conversation between the mother and Carolyn and the children move on. But most of the time, it was limited to pleasantries or the mother asking them to eat some food stuff she had fondly prepared. Sometimes, the mother would look at Carolyn and the grandchildren and smile, saying nothing. It was left to Carolyn and the children to understand the meaning of the smile. Days passed by and finally came the night when Vimal had to leave for UK. The entire family had gathered over dinner. The mother, as usual, was smiling and offering each one of them the food stuff she had prepared specially for them. When the time came for leaving, she hugged everyone goodbye. The expression of her face had changed. The smile on her face, evident minutes earlier, had vanished. She was getting more and more sober and emotional, trying to control her feelings. Carolyn was keenly observing her mother-in-law's changing emotions. Her expressions were also changing. Finally, when the two of them met and hugged each other, the mother-in-law could only say "goodbye and thank you". Carolyn could not control herself and tears came flowing down her cheeks. For some moments, both of them remained embraced and silent. Then they looked at each other ..then a final hug and the mother-in-law could not control herself, she moved away saying in Hindi.."I wish she keeps loving me like this, I cannot withstand the parting"..and wept. Carolyn stood motionless and as if trying to pull out all her strength, could manage to mutter, "Mom, I love you."

TO DO OR NOT TO DO

It's been more than a year I published any post on my blog. Inspite of my wanting to write, somehow or the other, laziness coupled with lack of time prevented me from doing it. However, I have now decided to spend some time writing on issues that are close to my heart - issues as diverse as politics, mentoring, HR or even economics.

See you later......

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AGLOCO: The Internet's First Economic Network

Currently, the most popular Internet businesses are built on the power of social networks. Take a look at companies like MySpace, Facebook, and YouTube who have become worth billions because other businesses realize that these social networks are generating huge advertising and marketing opportunities.

AGLOCO has asked a simple question: "The users created the community, where’s their share of the profit?"

From that very question, AGLOCO set out to create the Internet’s first Economic Network by using the strength of social networks to directly benefit the Members who build the community.

Becoming a member of AGLOCO is as simple as completing a simple sign-up page (name, age, location and email address.). Once you’re a Member, you will be asked to then download the Viewbar™ software.

The Ways AGLOCO Makes Money for Its Members

Search: Each time you use the Viewbar™ to do an Internet search, AGLOCO earns money from the search engine providers. (Google pays as much as $0.10 on average for each search that is directed to its search engine.)

Advertising: The AGLOCO's Viewbar™ displays ads that are specialized to you. Through clicking on an ad and/or making a purchase, AGLOCO receives a referral fee, which we then pass on to our Members. (Please note: Individual members do not receive any compensation for clicking on ads in the Viewbar™, and the Viewbar™ can detect if someone is clicking ads in a fraudulent manner.)

Transaction commissions: Many major retailers pay commissions when you refer customers who make a purchase. AGLOCO collects that commission and passes it on to our members. (For example, Amazon pays an 8.5% commission to most websites who refer customers, and has cut deals for even larger percentages. The bigger the AGLOCO community, the better commission we can negotiate for our Members.)

Software distribution: Numerous software companies pay websites to encourage the download of new software releases (for example, Adobe’s Flash and Acrobat Reader software), and trial versions of new programs. AGLOCO members not only get access to the latest and coolest software, they get paid for it.

Service distribution: Many online service providers will look to the AGLOCO community as a source of new and active users for their services. (For example, eBay, Skype, and PayPal, among others, all pay fees to people who help them recruit new active users to their services)

Product distribution: When Members agree to use a product, such as cell phones, high-tech gadgets, office supplies, new credit cards or financial services, AGLOCO can collect referral fees. Some companies even offer special rebate and cash-back programs.

AGLOCO Members make money in four ways.

Members earn a monthly share of the AGLOCO revenue based on the use of the AGLOCO Viewbar™ that month.

Members earn part of the company based on the use of the AGLOCO Viewbar™ that month (currently a maximum of five hours are rewarded).

Members who use our referral system to help build the AGLOCO network will earn more.

Members will also get a share of any commissions AGLOCO gets when a Member purchases a product or service from an AGLOCO Sponsor company.

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Refer your friends and family by contacting them through email. (But remember we have a strict anti-spam policy.)

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SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES - TIPS FOR SAFETY

The recent incident in Mumbai where in a young boy was abducted by his so called friends made in Orkut and then cruelly murdered, has brought in lime light, the evils associated with the networking sites.

There are currently several social networking websites suitable for all ages and groups. However, what has caught the fancy of teens are the websites like Orkut, MySpace, Friendster, Bebo, Dada etc. The website is an easy platform where in you meet friends online, share interests and just hang out. These web sites offer various ways to get connected, common being an internal email system, chat, blog etc. With the development in technology, you can even remain connected to the internet on your cell phone. So where ever you are, you stay connected to your friend online in real time, virtually 24/7.

But as with any popular meeting place, there are predators and bullies waiting to take advantage of the ill-informed. If you enjoy those cyber-hang outs, you need to protect yourself.

The good news? It just takes a bit of knowledge and the right security tools.

Since social networking is about making friends, you should be very selective in choosing your friend. Rather than being very friendly with any individual who meets you online, it is safer to make a friend who is known to you or is a friend of your friend. References do work…so try to be careful and selective, when making a friend.

If any newly made friend is sending provocative or offensive messages, it is wiser to ignore them, rather than getting involved in an altercation or a “mail war”. You don’t have to respond to everybody and everything! Just ignore whatever “does not feel right” and let the messages go into oblivion. You should also consider whether to let the person continue as a friend or remove him / her from the list.

Your login and password are important! They are not to be shared, even with friends. Most of these websites have free registration and becoming a member is free. If a “friend” asks for your login and password, just ask yourself why he can’t get his own...). Stealing user names and passwords is a common trick in social platforms.

Be careful about what you say about yourself or your family! You never know the intentions of the person at the other end. If the person is very well known to you, you can discuss personal details, if you feel comfortable discussing them. However, be very cautious and restrictive when discussing with strangers or newly made friend.

Be very careful when writing anything on the posts. Anybody can read your posts, and for a long time after you’ve written them. Some people just enjoy reading post of others. However, imagine you have written something about your boss and he stumbles upon your post and reads it!! I am sure you would not like to jeopardize your promotion or job. Or if you are a student and have written something about your teacher and (s)he reads it, how embarrassing it can be.

Always keep in mind that there are predators ready to pounce on you. Whenever you’re about to post something, ask yourself if someone would be able to get back to you in real-life with that information. If so, then sanitize your post! Don’t give any clue to your actual identity (school names, class schedules, phone numbers, etc.).

Never get together alone with someone you meet online. This represents the biggest danger to your safety. If you decide to meet someone, talk to your parents first and then meet in a public area, preferably with friends.

When you download content from other users (songs, videos, documents, etc.), you open your computer to hackers. With a well-crafted Trojan horse, they can wipe out your pictures and music, or steal your passwords and really make a fool out of you. To guard against these risks, make sure your Internet security program has a firewall and an antispyware tool that work with other parts of your security system to protect your stuff and your computer from hackers, viruses, worms and Trojan horses.

Conclusion

Yes, Social Networking Sites are great. And you can enjoy expressing yourself the way you want to as well as stay connected with your friends. But, as in real life, you’d be a fool to think you can do it without taking some precautions. With a bit of forethought and our advice, you can keep your information safe against security threats and continue to enjoy the many social opportunities of the Internet. Stay smart, keep up with networking site scams and make sure your computer has security tools like Norton AntiVirus and Norton Internet Security. Have fun!

IS THE INDO-US NUCLEAR DEAL HEADING FOR A LEFT GUILLOTINE?


The nuclear deal, which had been signed by Manmohan Singh, the Indian Prime Minister, with President Bush, is now under the Left threat. Do not proceed ahead..the Left leaders have threatened, or we will pull the carpet from under your feet.

Two things need to be understood...what are the concerns of the Left and why has Left taken such a long time to issue such an ultimatum to the government it supports from outside.

The Left says that Hyde Act impinges upon the soveriegnity of India and is unacceptable. The Hyde Act was enacted by the US Congress to explicitly poromote ‘nuclear cooperation’ between India and the US and enable them to sign an agreement under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1954. It is highly significant that the Agreement does not mention the Hyde Act at all. This is all the more so because it mentions other documents such as the Indo-US Joint Statement of July 18, 2005, repeatedly; the IAEA’s statute, its document on ‘The Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities’ and the convention on the ‘Physical protection of Nuclear Material’. These are international instruments accepted by both sides. References to them constitute, in legal parlance, incorporation into the agreement by reference. In contrast, India is not bound by the Hyde Act, which is why the agreement does not refer to it even once. The omission is deliberate and of legal consequence. Then why is the Left shouting from the roof top that the soveriegnity of the country has been compromised?

Let us now analyse what this agreement means to India. The agreement removes all hurdles faced by India in procuring nuclear technology and fuel for good. Moreover, all other current restrictions on India's access to America's high and dual technologies will also be withdrawn as a result. New Delhi will be able to do much more business with the US in fields barred to Indians hitherto, with the expectation that the volume of trade between the two countries will double within the next two years from the current US$ 24 billion.The agreement is a win-win situation from the Indian point of view. India will be able to build more nuclear power plants. At present it has 15 functional plants with an additional seven under construction. India stuck to it guns during the course of tough negotiations. It did not agree to open all its nuclear facilities to international inspection. Instead, it ingeniously divided its facilities into "civilian" and "military" ones and agreed to open only the former to international inspection. New Delhi thinks that the nuclear energy is the answer to its ever-growing needs for power. With this deal India will not have to depend totally on foreign oil and gas for its increasing energy needs. A recent Pentagon report described India as a "key strategic partner". US wants to engage India in its global schemes. India is already a military partner of the US. Since 2001 it has carried out 35 joint military exercises at sea, land and air, both in the US and in India. Indian Navy ships are already providing escort and security facilities to the American military ships passing through the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean on their way to and from the Pacific through the Straits of Malacca in Southeast Asia. The only rationale behind the ongoing joint military drills is that there are certain plans for joint Indo-American military action in future. The US wants to promote India to counter China in Asia. This kind of cooperation does not go down well with Asia's emerging giant as well as with many popular and political forces within India. New Delhi has also successfully sold to the US the idea that a democratic India is a great ally against the Islamic terrorism America is fighting at present.The withdrawal of sanctions against New Delhi will help India in many ways. It will open the gates for Indo-US cooperation in lucrative space research and scientific cooperation in many fields which are currently barred to Indians. The US has refused to offer a similar deal to Pakistan. India, Washington says, has demonstrated that it is a responsible nuclear power. Pakistan, on the other hand, is accused of helping nuclear proliferation.

Does this not lead to the conclusion that Left is trying to tow the China line. It is trying to scuttle the agreement so that the hegemony of China within Asia remains un-challenged. Who is acting in the interest of the country - Dr. Manmohan Singh or the Left?

Now, coming to the next question, why did the Left take so much time to issue an ultimatum. After all, the nuclear deal is not an overnight development. It has taken years of tough negtiations to get the US to agree our terms and conditions. But the Left wanted to wait till the elections of the President and Vice-President were over. Somewhere, at the back of their mind was a desire to see a Communist or someone from West Bengal being elected as President / Vice President. This is not fair Comrade Karat. You should have raised your voice, like you are raising now, long back when the agreement was being signed. That would have shown your sincerity and nationalism, if you may call it so. But you preferred to keep quiet then. You tried all the tricks at your command to see that the person you wanted to become the President / Vice President is elected. You only know how much you succeeded in that. Do you think the people of India will not be able to understand your designs?

Come on, be a sport, Comrade Karat. Try to understand what is in the interest of India rather than promoting the interest of China.

Is Hyderabad going the Delhi way??? This is the flip side of the IT revolution that swept the city during late nineties and brought it to international prominence when President Bill Clinton visited Hyderabad in 1999, preferring it over Bangalore.

During the past few years, I have observed builders pay scant respect to the building rules and regulations. Violation of the building laws is an accepted rule, which is done with the convivance of the concerned government officials. I would love to see a building which can boast of 100% building law compliance. Every builder worth his salt would build a penthouse which is not approved, but which gets approved after the completion of a stipulated period by paying some penalty. I am really surprised that the municipal officials turn a blind eye to the violations taking place before their very eyes.

Do we require the courts to intervene in such cases and remind the government officials of their responsibility? Certainly. the honorable judges of the courts have a lot of other important judicial duties to perform. But, when the government officials sleep and forget their duties and responsibility towards the general public, there has to be some "authority" which has to wake them up and force them into action. It has been seen in Delhi that the political leadership was not ready to take on that role, since many of the important and influential political leaders were also in the list of defaulters. The vote bank also plays a very important factor. So, who is to bell the cat? It is the good fortune of the country that we have a judiciary which understands the plight of the hapless citizens. The action taken by the courts in Delhi should be an eye opener for the entire country.

In Hyderabad, the High court is also siezed of the violations in buioldings laws. The local municipal authorfities are struggling to provide the information required by the court. However, the the builders' association in Hyderabad has requested the state government to 'legalise' the violations. Agreed... since i do not see any reason why the poor consumer who unknowingly bought the property, should be penalised by the government for no fault of theirs. But what about the construction still happening which is against the building law? I have observed builders working against time to complete the construction, so that they too can claim benefit, in case the government decides on a date after which any violation will not be permitted. I am sure the general public can smell something fishy.... convivance of builders and the corrupt government officials.