Dol‘phinish’ed

Save them as much as the river…

In the peaceful reign of the Mauryan King Ashoka, rock edicts dictated to the kingdom the list of animals that the citizens could kill. The same list particularly forbade citizens to kill ‘Puputaya’. That Puputaya or the Gangetic Dolphins (as we know them) are now being killed mercilessly across the basin of the Ganga. Called ‘Sons’ in local language, this ecological heritage has been listed as an endangered species by the World Conservation Union in 1996 and they are among the last four species of fresh water dolphins in the world. According to researchers (from Patna University), the numbers of these dolphins have plummeted sharply from about 3,500 in 1980 to about 1,500 now. The same research in the 506-kilometre downstream stretch of Ganga (starting from Buxar) estimated their number to go down from 664 in 2005 to 560 this year. Even in Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (the only freshwater sanctuary in India) their numbers have dipped from 95 to 83 in the same period. Experts have warned that despite all the claims on ‘Saving the Dolphin’ (WWF even has Shweta Bachchan as Dolphin Ambassador), illegal poaching (for meat, skin & oil) and high levels of riverine pollution are destroying them. It’s said that the vanishing Dolphin more or less reflects the sickness of river Ganga. If we ever intend to save the Dolphins, we must proceed to tackle the two Ps – (pollution & poaching) urgently.

To read more on IIPM Editorial Article, please click here...,

Also visit:

• IIPM Publications
• Arindam Chaudhuri Initiative
• Business & Economy
  

Source: IIPM, 4Ps, B&E

There are miles to go before you sleep…

The rush this unassuming activity portends is in stark contrast to the rush of our daily lives, and it is the natural highs that are charted (both within oneself and geographically) that serve to drive all those it touches into a tizzy. Far from the throng of civilization, the activity involves inculcating qualities such as discipline, endurance and independence above all else, thus attracting riders looking to get away from it all. Irrespective of whether you are a tyro on tires or a pro plodding on, the sense of euphoria that bathes your senses as you ride into the sunset is entirely unmatched as the fine knife’s edge that separates the concrete from the jungle becomes your road. Some people prefer to go through their lives as au naturel as possible and mountain biking is one way to announce a return to innocence that is a far cry from the wheeling-dealing of the world as we have come to know it. Ever-greater numbers of daredevils are embracing this racy sport with gay abandon as they awaken to the realization of the thrills (hopefully not spills) experienced when winding down the craggy ridges of uncharted topography. For those who decide to ingest an overkill of cycles... the trails are dazzling, stark and steep, but there are miles to go before you sleep… for the journey of a 1,000 miles begins with the crank of a pedal!

For complete IIPM Research & Publication Article, please click here...

Editor: Arindam Chaudhuri; Source: B&E and IIPM Publication


Other IIPM Editorials:

• When colossal ambitions turn into pipe dreams...
• Cadbury: Kuch Meetha Ho Jaye
• Wal-Mart’s International Growth
• Toyota was a change agent
• Superman Returns
• Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commissions (EEBC)
• Obsolescing Bargain
• Recently, a group of senior lawyers and business executives ...
• ‘Rags’ to Riches
• Justice Jackson’s eloquent words at Nuremberg...
• Reservoirs of Lucre
  
  

Lethal toys...

Arms that need less twisting...

The most prevalently used weaponry by the Indian Police machinery happens to be .303 SMLE No.1 Mark III, of which around 500,000 are in service. And that vintage piece, it must be reminded, was discarded much before the World War-II by every major country in the world. The other weapons most frequently used by the Police are: a standard 2-3 feet lathi, 0.410 musket (about 90,000) and bolt action 7.62 mm SLRs (about 400,000). These might look to be a bit intimidating to a common reader, but given the complex internal security scenario (especially with respect to the superior fi re-power of terrorists and insurgents on one hand and need for efficient mob & riot controlling techniques on the other) the modernisation of Police weaponry is of extreme importance and urgent. Critics contend that the weapons that largely reflect the needs of the colonial policing cannot be carried forward in recent era. And as terrorism has largely been attributed to the failure of the State Police set up, urgent changes then become the sine-qua-non.


For complete IIPM Editorial Article, please click here...

Editor: Arindam Chaudhuri

Source: IIPM Publication

For Chr’ice’sake!

India is making the same blunder

The present government seems set to repeat the Himalayan blunder of the past; as suggested by the recent Indo-Pak negotiations and India’s openness to withdrawing troops from Siachen seem to suggest. Despite the fact that more soldiers have died in Siachen due to weather conditions then to enemy fire, and despite the fact that India reportedly spends Rs.10 million per day on keeping men there (a chapati delivered to a soldier costs Rs.500; even the excreta of soldiers have to be lift ed by helicopters & brought to base for disposal), holding Siachen has definite advantages! This costly real estate, however, gives India terrain domination over Pakistan’s Northern Areas and blocks access to the vital Ladakh sector. Providing a ‘strategic wedge’ preventing Pakistan-China geographical link-up, the Indira-Col (Siachen’s Northernmost part) directly overlooks Chinese territory that was illegally given to China by Pakistan. New Delhi needs to be wary of a repeat Kargil experience, and should seek “ironclad” guarantees from Pakistan, including authenticated maps signed by both sides before the process of withdrawal and redeployment of troops at the designated places start. As of today, India commands the heights. But if India withdraws and Pakistan captures it, the situation then will becomes irreversible with a huge strategic loss to the country.

For more on IIPM Publication Article, click here...

Source: (Business& Economy), IIPM; Editor: Arindam Chaudhuri

IIPM Publication: Google is giving out free and functional applications...

An era in which Microsoft is hell-bent on forcibly converting pirated soft ware users, is unfortunately the same era in which the biggest threat facing Microsoft is the four letter word being thrown at it by Google, that is, “free”. Especially, in an era where the $100 Linux-based laptop is being envisaged, where free Open Source Softwares (OSS) are available, where Google is giving out free and functional applications. “I am not sure forced conversion is such a great idea – it certainly seems to be backfiring,” points RedMonk’s James Governor. So should Microsoft go the “free” way? There is no doubt it can afford to give away products at no cost to gain leadership, as Mukul Krishna, Industry Manager Digital Media, Frost & Sullivan, Texas, asserts, “Microsoft can give things literally for free. If you get in a price war with it, you can sink.” But Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman, Microsoft India, disagrees – vouching for easy payment options –arguing, “Our FlexGo technology enables more flexible...purchasing options. The pay-as-you-go model...enables customers to pay for their computers as they use it through prepaid cards.”

For more on IIPM Publication Article, click here...

Source: Business& Economy, IIPM , Editor: Arindam Chaudhuri

IIPM EDITORIAL >>Subroto Roy Sahara, Undoubtedly, The ‘Shri’ Factor

“We should build a very sincere, dedicated, honest and disciplined team”

A businessman who continues to be on and off media for all the right and wrong reasons – from his unknown illness of last year to his well known ‘ambi’valent acquisition plans – Subroto Roy Sahara (or Sahara Shri), as he is known in business circles, has built an estimated (if estimates could be close) $10.87 billion Sahara India Parivar empire, which, if true, would be undoubtedly one of the biggest success stories in Indian businesses in recent years. To his due credit, from just a small fledgling firm in an even smaller UP town, Subroto Roy Sahara has single-handedly created a behemoth of a multi-billion dollar empire, though one that still does not allow transparency in publicly stating financial figures or performance indicators.

For complete IIPM Publication Article, please click here...

Source: IIPM Editorial

Chinese Puzzle (IIPM Publication)

My joyous jaunt here most certainly left me baying for more! Nearing the climax of my Chinese capers, it was with an unwilling heart and a stash of memories that I found myself standing on the terra firma of Hong Kong International Airport with final boarding calls for the flight only augmenting my plight. “Xie xie ni,” I thanked my efficacious guide and let my mind linger over some of the happy happenstances of my adventure, coveting a second chance to tango with the dragon and unravel more of the captivating Chinese puzzle.

For complete IIPM Editorial Article, please click here...

Source: Publication, IIPM

Repulse Bay is a hive of activity (IIPM Publication)

Small wonder that this summit is known the world over as the veritable height of pictures que exquisiteness! I expressed a desire to visit the bay area of Hong Kong and Wu was only too glad to oblige, which meant we made our way to the pristine marine paradise of Repulse (?!) Bay. No matter what the name suggests, this area is anything but repulsive! Apparently christened after a pirate ship that used to sail these waters, Repulse Bay is a hive of activity – located near the famous Stanley open-air market – and is frequented for its sweeping sands & crystal waters, as also the spread of delectable sea-food.

For complete IIPM Editorial Article, please click here...

Source: Publication, IIPM

Victoria Peak give unique Hong Kong view (IIPM Publication)

Representing the fourth largest banking and financial center worldwide today, there exist here still traces of Confucianism that has all but vanished on Mainland China. The ebullient effervescence of this island city is as infectious as it is invigorating. “Victoria Peak give unique Hong Kong view!,” Wu poured in, breaking my reverie. Victoria Peak sounded good, and also reminded me of a Spice girl long past her own peak! Reticent reminiscing apart; once the ascent to the top of the Peak is complete, the scintillating vista of Hong Kong harbour, the Kowloon peninsula and the far-off hills make for a depiction of breathtaking beauty.

For complete IIPM Editorial Article, please click here...

Source: Publication, IIPM