Month: January 2009
Now, ‘Naga chilly’ to scare away wild elephants
Now, ‘Naga chilly’ to scare away wild elephants
5 Jan 2009,PTI
SHILLONG: The world’s hottest chilly, ‘Naga chilly’, or ‘bhoot jolokia’ in Assamese dialect, could be the latest weapon against marauding wild elephants who have wrecked havoc in many parts of Northeast.
‘Bhoot jolokia’, a chilly pepper that grows mostly in Assam, has shot to limelight after the DRDO developed a non-lethal grenade from it that could be used in anti-terrorist operations.
The DRDO and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are now working on developing the ‘chilly’ into a powder that could be coated on fences and ropes to scare away wild pachyderms.
“Two months back, a WWF experiment observed that the chilly could be a good scaring material. Its’ powder when coated on fences and ropes that are erected on routes of the elephants can scare away the giants,” RP Srivastava, director of the Tezpur laboratory of DRDO said.
He said trials are being proposed on the experiment soon, and the DRDO and WWF are working to come up with an effective substance that can help in mitigating man-elephant conflict.
The ‘bhoot jolokia’ has been branded as the world’s hottest chilly with the pungency of 855000 scoville units, that is nearly double the scale of Mexican chilly.
It is used as a cure for stomach ailments and as a remedy to summer heat, presumably by inducing perspiration.
The DRDO says that the chilly also has qualities that can give physiological impetus, especially to security forces deployed in high altitude areas.
Preeth – A challange is an opportunity
Welcome all,
I have been thinking of a suitable topic to start with my series of activities for Q4music for the year 2009. Youtube seems to have been non-accessible or blocked in this part of the world and so could not upload my regular music/performance/created videos. A few precious minutes of free time in the day to day life is very carefully utilised and relaxation, enjoyment and enhancement of knowledge automatically becomes an integral part of this daily routine. Super Talent reality show currently on in Amrita TV is one venue I visit in the evenings for this. Yesterday I happened to see three performances. Of which, one turned out to be outstanding.
Preeth, from Trivandrum, a student of Prof. Muthukad performed magic with miming capabilities. A young guy who has speech and hearing problem, turned out to be the star of the day. What a performance it turned out to be. Three minutes allotted time seemed to be more for him to express his talents when many others who are competing in the same show still ponder about the lack of available time. Excellent, amazing, captivating, and more I could add on. God bless this Super Talent contestant who proved yesterday that EVERY CHALLENGE IS AN OPPORTUNITY.
Let his performance be an inspiration to all those who are coming out to perform in this show and other shows about what they have and don’t in their hand and how they could improve it and present it to a presentable and appreciable form for the mass.
GOD bless him and may he conquer many more victories in the coming years.
Mind Speaks – Keep your eyes and ears open
The heat is on. CVs are coming in volume from job hunters. It is slowly turning out to be real that several companies around are reducing staff in minimum or maximum. An opportunity which came up yesterday made me consult with some helping hands in the field of recruitment and HR sector. The feedback from them is not at all promising. Currently all major recruitment activities are on hold and everyone is watching and waiting before proceeding for the next step. Banking sector is also in greater caution and this is another major area for many of us who has an attitude to be there when in need. In the coming days/months I am sure you will get to hear many sad stories/tragedies of job loss/life etc directly or indirectly due to the current economic scenario. It is therefore very important to be in touch with your regular friends/loved ones/contacts. Make sure you get to create a communication and feel their pulse. I am sure you will definitely be able to get the feelings across, even if it is a silence or pause in the communication. But to be there at the time in need is the most important gift you can give to a friend or a well wisher of yours.
The reason for writing this here is an interview of actor Dileep shown on TV recently about his latest movie where he did a stunt scene by jumping into the sea. In it he explained what was his feeling before jumping and once in motion down. No control, and life and death was seconds away. Luckily for him there were people to rescue, who were on standby. But a repeat shot had to be taken and he continued, there were no one around and it was really touch and go. An year ago I had mentioned here in one of my write ups about the death of a friend who committed suicide due to a financial fraud by one of his customers. Almost similar time, another friends wife committed suicide due to prolong arthritis ailment. Both took the same aerial route of jumping from the balcony and the narration by Dileep was really touchy and brought back memories several times. If, someone was there to hold them/restrain them back from that crucial decision, life would have been an altogether different thing for their children.
Let the party continue, enjoy life as it happens, Kaliyum chiriyum thamashakalum ellam nadakkatte. But keep an eye and ear open for that precious silence somewhere around. You never know, a chance hello or a short email will make you realise the reason for that precious silence and may give you an opportunity to be the most important person for someone whom you care. God Bless and Keep communicating.
Mind Speaks – Highway Mechanic
During my childhood days, it was a routine that every year we go to some distant place away from our small town. Mostly it is a picnic come pilgrimage mixing major temple/towns in South India. Being the only available mode of comfortable transportation during those times, we gave lot of trust and confidence to our old Ambassador. Whether it is Thirupathi, or Kanyakumari, he is there and we know we will reach back safely. Another convenience is its capacity to carry volume as these trips are a joint family affair and at least we have 5 adults and 4 children in the party. Regularly kept in good condition our car seldom gave us any major trouble during those journeys. However, occasionally, we used to get a fan belt problem, or puncture or dynamo problem, and we used to rely the service of way side or highway workshops. With full party, we reach somehow there and then mostly we get to see an ustad coming down or a chotta mechanic running down and repairing the faults within the shortest possible time. These stoppage times are also an opportunity for the members to explore the place and shop for the locally made specialties. In a few hours time, the car is again ready for the journey and we continue towards our next destination. 100 of 100 times, these garages and mechanics are never seen again as we never come back that way or stop there. However, the service they render has been always excellent quality to keeping our (i.e unknown travelers) safety in mind. I am bringing back these old memories today just to reiterate the fact that my journey through the Amrita TV forum has been a similar one all through out. I see the role of the passengers and the mechanics many times and some times I am lucky when I get to play the part of the mechanic to serve some unknown travelers and assist them to get going when stuck. The journey is to be carried out by the person and the driving safety and well being and progress all depends up on how he/she look at it and carry out his / her role. If there is an opportunity to be of service to any one who genuinely requires it, I will be there. It’s an assurance.
A recent discussion on recession and it’s affects
A recent discussion I came across on recession. Thought of sharing it with you.
*******
A reply to it:
Thank you for the mail on actionable insights to prepare for the
recession. I wish to differ on certain points mentioned by the
“financial consultant”
First of all, Recession means different things to each person as a
Businessman, Investor or employee
To the Investors, it is the best time to buy (or invest). During
recession precious land becomes affordable, cost of construction
becomes less. So if you, as an investor is planning to invest in a new
project that involves construction works, this is the best time. This
is becuase, a typical construction of mall, factory or a resort takes
about 1.5 to 2 years in India. The recession will be over in say 1-2
years. So your new business will be opening up at a time when the
economy is recovering. And if you are planning to invest in already
established businesses (instead of new ventures), this is still a good
time. This is because, in good times the promoters of this business
will ask you for a heavy goodwill amount. In recession, even the best
companies may have cash flow problems and may be willing to bring in
equity at investors terms. And once the recession is over, these
companies will get back to form. (Recession has happened many times,
infact it is a cycle, so dont think of recession as a Tsunami that
wipes out everything).
To the businessmen, recession can be a bad time or a good time, based
on what thier position is. To begin with there are some industries
that do good when others do badly. You just have to search out for
those sectors. Recession can be bad to a business that has heavy
overheads and its business is dependant on other businesses which
might get a bad kick from recession. Businesses with good cash
reserves should hold on to thier cash, as they can expect red figures
in the profit loss account for few months to come. It is a good time,
for them to eliminate fat (both in terms of bad staff and unproductive
assets). When the times are good, businesses seldom care about best
practices and efficiency. I was involved with a factory during a
downturn period, and in order to survive, we had to take extreme
measures with regards staff management, implementation of new
machineries and all kind of best practices (much aganist our will) to
survive. To finance these we had to merge with a competitor as well.
Bad times made that business so strong, that in 2008 (when the global
economy calls it a bad year), they made a record profit and became
market leader in thier sector. So if we take the recession properly,
it is a good time, to make a business strong.
To the Employees, recession can be good and bad, again. Lazy and
unproductive employees will have a hard time holding on to thier jobs
and in case they lose thier jobs, it will be difficult to get a new
one. One good thing about employment market during recession,
especially in India, is that I am hoping to see “job hopping” slow
down. But recession is a good time, for loyal, hardworking staff to
show thier worth to the company. By working more than others, by
accepting mangement decisions, by perhaps sacrificing bit of thier
salaries, these employees can show to management, they are soldiers
they can count on. And they will be most visible. These employees,
have a better chance to get promotions and upgradation in salaries
during the good times.
My comments where I disagree to the previous mail, are ;
1. Dont sell your stocks, if you can afford to keep them for 1- 2
years. Most of the stocks are now trading below thier intrinsic value.
By selling them at loss now, you will buy them at even higher cost
later on. So hold on to them. Put your shares in locker and go to
sleep. Wake up after 2 years, to see its price. On a different note, I
dont recommend day trading to anyone, its almost like gambling. With
stocks you should buy and sell, with long term view.
2. I dont agree to not investing, for reasons I have mentioned above.
3. Dont sell your assets now, the price is Below its real value. Wait
for 2 years for boom to start again.
This are my views. About me, I am the CEO of a Venture Consulting firm
based in Calicut (Kerala). I did my masters in Finance and Investment
from Exeter University, UK. I have been in Gulf for many years. I had
worked at german strategy advisory firm (Dubai), as consultant.
At Capella, we advice investors on investing in various of projects,
by conducting business research, preparing project reports, business
plans, business counselling and venture project management.
Forwarded e-mail
As forwarded by a financial consultant, in Dubai.
>> *Recession is coming… make your own judgment, don’t panic! Do
what is wise.
The recession looks very eminent. It is really time to take pro active
steps to avoid a painful time in the next two years which is how long the
recession is expected to last.
> Suggestions:
> 1. Don’t take any loans; buy homes, properties with loans, or even cash. Keep as much cash as possible.
> 2. Pay off as much of personal loans, private loans, as debt collection
will be hastened.
> 3. Sell any stocks you can even at lower prices.
> 4. Take money off from Trust Funds.
> 5. Don’t believe in huge sales forecast from customers, be extremely
prudent, lowest inventories, reduce liabilities.
> 6. Don’t invest in new capital.
> 7. If you are selling homes/ properties/ cars, do it now, when you can get good prices, they are going to fall.
> 8. Don’t invest in new business proposals.
> 9. Cancel holiday plans using credit cards.
> 10. Don’t change jobs, as companies will retrench based on ‘last in first
out’.
Stay cool, wait, and if you took all of the above actions and more, you
probably will be better off then many. This is not a rumor.
Bear Stearns is the first of many banking and financial institutions that
will start falling in the not too future. If Bear Stearns can fall, so can
JP Morgan, Citibank, HSBC, and the whole world. US economy falls, the rest will crumble.
India and all those self economies will be the most protected, but not
gullible.
Europe may be a little stronger, but not China, another giant place!
Malaysia will see significant impact.
> Be alert and pass this to your friends!!!*
Bangalore IT pros take survival training
Bangalore IT pros take survival training
BR Srikanth, Hindustan Times
Software professionals like Anoop Ramakrishnan, 24, and many others in the tech industry in Bangalore are picking up new survival skills — not to endure the economic gloom, but to survive a terror attack or a hostage crisis.
Following the recent terror attacks, techies are queuing up to be trained in anti-terror and hostage survival techniques being imparted as part of Krav Maga, an Israeli school of self-defence and combat tactics.
They are being taught how to hold their nerve during a terror attack, ensure minimum injury, how to escape a fire, and avoid being trapped in a stampede during evacuation.
Said Anoop, software professional at Sasken Communications: “We are here to learn to minimise casualties through the concept of muscle memory — that is how not to panic but train our muscles to move quickly and save ourselves during an attack.” He has been urging colleagues and friends to take these lessons too.
Ditto with Ashish Puri, of Cisco Systems, who is also taking the training. “I have persuaded seven-eight colleagues to join these workshops,” he said.
Frank JW, the instructor and in-charge of Bangalore chapter of International Krav Maga Federation, said: “I am currently training 75 people in Bangalore. Most are from the IT industry.”
Frank said the training sessions are not intended to make “everyone a Superman” but to teach techniques that can come handy — like lying flat on the floor to escape bullets. At Rs 250 a person for two hours, the anti-terror survival model is certainly worth trying.
ClicksandWrites 
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