Trick Questions

1) What does business management and 'The Gita' have in common?

2) Why would a business graduate be interested in learning about the bigger questions in life?

Surely business is more about market trends, money management, trading partners and supply chain logistics. That's what we'd think. A group of enlightened innovators beg to differ however. A small university in New Jersey, USA, has recently included a course entitled 'The Journey of Transformation' in their business management curriculum. They adopted this as a pilot project last year and are now set to expand this program further, hiring more profs and putting more thought into the curriculum.

Hinduism isn't the only religious system of thought students are being exposed to. There's Buddhism, Judaism and Christianity too, included in this course.

Let's think about why this could result in a true transformation in the lives of (business) students. Business is primarily about people and their dealings with others. The whole business of life involves interactions with others regarding livelihood, prosperity and wellbeing - these are the cornerstones of a fulfilling life.

Simplistically speaking therefore, business studies should be more about the whys and wherefores of the economic life of people.

The great religions in the world have a common goal. They strive to teach us how to live, not merely aim for a better afterlife. The pressing need of the hour is to learn how to conduct ourselves, achieve our maximum potential without stepping on other toes. The ancient Greeks called it Eudaimonia. I believe that's a noble thought. Imagine, even the lowly acorn has within it the potential to become a full grown oak tree. Aristotle was dead right on this one.

So, by understanding the basic tenets of major religions, all students, not only business graduates, would benefit. I hope this trend extends to many more disciplines in different universities worldwide.

When these spritually-savvy business students graduate, and if the recession has ebbed, maybe we can look forward to more ethical business practices.

I feel like applauding!

See, hope isn't just a word. The Obama strikes again! His iron fist is showing - setting a cap on executive salary/compensation for those companies who have recieved government bailouts -the limit is $500,000. Well well!

This is a move beyond mere tokenism. I thought he was guilty of the same when he froze White House staffer pay. After all, how much could the country save with a few $100,000s? This is a weighty move. It is logical too. On the one hand, you beg the government to hand you money to run the company, and with the other hand you rack up the numbers in your Swiss account. Unfair?

Take that, you Wall Street types.

Now, I know, some people will find fault with this move by saying he is playing to the gallery -you know, trying to gain popular support. He already has that, I will remind them.

You may say, yet again, that he is diverting attention from the Daschle fiasco. No matter, I shrug. This guy has his instincts right. Maybe since he comes from a middle class environment and was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he knows what it is like for hard-working tax paying common people.

The previous Big Guy had it all - a ranch or two, and access to White House kitchens and washrooms. It's no wonder that he and his cronies could dismiss the concerns of ordinary folk and focus attention on private jets, holiday villas in Marbela and refurbishments of washrooms costing $1 million.

However, I'm curious about AIG and Citigroup. Santa visited them earlier, so does this new rule affect them at all?

Postures and gestures

Mutinous grumblings can be heard not only from ordinary Canadians and the rest of the world alarmed at protectionist policies of Obama's America, but also from the likes of Stockwell Day and Gordon Brown. Labelling the 'Buy American' clause as completely protectionist, leaders and citizens are screaming bloody murder.

But, says a columnist in the Star, NAFTA actually does have a provision which allows USA to insert this protectionist clause in trade pacts.

Which sucks, because now, the protests can lose their bite. Maybe iron and steel producers can organize a facebook signature campaign to promote their cause. Don't laugh - Obama himself knows well the power of the Internet (ask his admin officers, pre-election).

Interestingly, news emerging from Davos indicates how American bankers were verbally lynched by the world economic community. Firstly, there were very few Wall Streeters who actually attended the Forum. Most stayed away. A wise, if cowardly, move. Only the CEO of JP Morgan attended and was apologetic about his ilk.

Many of the economic gurus of the world of finance and banking did nothing to mince words. They outright condemned what the American investment bankers did. I'm guessing there weren't a lot of smiles and fine bonhomie among the attendees, and the banking community watching in America.

And then you have red-faced bankers from Canada's own RBC, BNS and others, giving up their bonuses/compensation, just like brave little soilders. Oh my, what magnanimity of gesture! Perhaps when they go home to their million dollar mansions in Toronto's posh localities, they can look at themselves in the huge mirrors and feel a warm glow.

They might, at that moment be thinking, "Thank god, Davos isn't the only part of Switzerland we know!"

Honeymoon's over!

Baring his teeth under that photo-friendly smile, Obama is considering 'Be American, Buy American' as part of his stimulus package for the US of A. This causes a lot of concern, not only because, as Canadians, 55% of our goods are sold in the US, but also because this muscle-flexing could result in a further slowing down of economic cycles worldwide.

Our biggest trading partner, a signatory to NAFTA no less, now doesn't want to play by the rules. They want to be mavericks, they want to chart their own course, go it alone. Now, this may be a nod to patriotic Americans, but the rest of the world will be sinking deeper and deeper into a morass.

Speaking of NAFTA - remember, we have a long standing dispute with the Americans over softwood lumber. Our lumber (specifically in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec) is subsidized by federal and provincial governments. The US thinks it is unfair and is fighting to levy other tariffs to countermand these subsidies. This, they claim, will bring up the prices to current market rates.

Have they conviniently set their principles aside for the time being?

Think about it - protectionism seems like an antithesis of capitalist America. It puts me in mind of what the British Raj did in India 200 years ago. They decreed that Indians could only buy cotton cloth manufactured in England. They took the raw material from India all the way to the Manchester mills where they wove the finished product and sold it to us at a cheaper price. I'm no economist, but it was obvious that our indigenous cottage industry floundered and couldn't keep up. Dirty politics?

Well, we are watching something similar now. Though the bill has yet to be passed, the undercurrents are dangerous. There is a lot of murky water underneath. According to statistics, in 2007 alone, Canada's trade with the US in iron and steel products equalled $5.8 billion. Tidy sum indeed.

I watched PM Harper on TV yesterday ranting about the unfairness of this potential move on the part of the Americans. Other politicians have denounced it too. As usual, Layton said something completely inane - why doesn't Canada follow in the US footsteps, he demanded, imposing a similar caveat on our exports?

What this move will do for Obama's Canada visit on 19th Feb is up in the air. I have a feeling protestors will line Ottawa's streets.

Coming on top of the threat of recession and stagerring job losses, this American policy can't be good news for the world.

Budget and Politics - a match made in Parliament

Today was budget day in Canada. Obviously a very important day, with repercussions for each and every Canadian. I spent a lot of time trying to get the gist of the budget through newspapers, internet news sites and TV. The 2009 budget is all the more important because the fate of our Conservative government was hanging in balance. Last December, shamelessly, Harper asked the governor-general to prorogue Parliament so that his government would not be thrown out. He escaped by the skin of his teeth.

The Liberals lost the last October 14 election largely due to their infighting and poor leadership. Stephen Dion could not connect with the common man. His language skills were poor (to be a successful politician in Canada, one of the skills neccessary is fluency in English and French). Further, Dion lacked political appeal. He seemed decent, yet a very distant man, with little or no charisma. The old fashioned spectacles and patronising air didn't help either.

Harper won and we had the Conservatives in power, shamelessly kowtowing to Bush and his cronies at the White House. I remember when Chretien was our (Liberal) PM, he was one of the very few world leaders who refused to drag his country into 'the war on terror'. I felt proud of Liberal policy.

Once we had blue-eyed Harper up at Parliament Hill, we were forced to become friends with the Bush mafia - Donald Rumsfeld et al. Those infamous days are best forgotten.

After the election fiasco last Fall, the Liberals have regrouped under Michael Ignatieff. It remains to be seen how far Iggy wins the hearts of Canadians specially in this climate of economic hardship.

Today, he did his bit for Canadian stability by not pulling out the rug from under Conservative feet. He may have reservations about the budget, but he has proposed amendments (requiring periodic reports on the economic stimulus package advanced by the Tories) - that is certainly a step forward. Completely pig-headed are the likes of Layton (NDP) who choose to oppose this step. So now, the Conservatives have to be accountable, my my! Someone's going to check report cards. In my estimation, the first round goes to Iggy.

PS - Obama's coming to Ottawa on 19th Feb. Will it be too late for Valentine gifts between the two countries?

Some simple truths gleaned from an 'ad'

There's this ad that I see on TV frequently, which I think is symptomatic of our society today. It depicts a young woman shopping like crazy...she picks up shoes, clothes, accessories, visits a spa etc. Laden with bags from designer stores in both hands, she comes to her apartment door and stares in shock. The bags fall from her hands - there's an eviction notice on her door.

The ad is for 'debt management'. I find this scenario to be very common in the consumerist society we live in. More so in North America, arguably the birthplace of much of the Material. We try to keep up with the Joneses no matter what. We are unable to understand and keep to our limits.

It is however a misconception that this phenomenon is prevalent only in this hemisphere. All over the world, rampant consumerism has contributed to a culture of knowing the cost of everything and the value of nothing, to paraphrase a noted writer.

Once we are able to still the dictates of our good sense and thriftiness, the values of our parents and grandparents, who lived in a far simpler world, to pursue the latest in gadgetry, we are only digging ourselves in deeper.

The sages of old were clear on the kernel of truth - they deemed desire to be the root of all evil. Our desire to want more, whether it is material things or intangibles like happiness (what a misunderstood term that is!), we will continually fall into the trap.

As Krishna said in the Bhagwad Gita, renounce your desires, do your work without the hope for results and rewards - that is the path of a karma yogi. For us householders who inhabit multiple identities of child, spouse, parent and employee, no better credo than this can be inculcated within our selves. It's the most practical path to follow.

A secret curse

Read this:
aaaaaadnl $7674&*@ hkasddh

Find it hard? Or did you dismiss it as gibberish? Not so fast. One out of every 5 people in Canada are illiterate. When they meet a page with writing on it, this is what they see. Yet, these people have jobs, run businesses and you would not guess that they have this secret affliction. Yes, it is a secret in some people's lives, one that they either refuse to acknowledge, or hide away like a canker. They get by in their lives simply by asking for help from others, weaving elaborate lies, blundering through life with the enormous pressure of their secret.

Not all of these people are new immigrants to Canada, burdened with the learning of a new language - in this case, English. Some have been here for generations, their ancestors probably came in from Europe or America a couple of hundred years ago. Somehow, they just didn't get through school. Some have learning disablities which prevented their access to normal schooling. Some were too busy helping Dad at the store in rural Saskatoon and couldn't be bothered with going to school.

All these facts I heard from a lady at an organization called 'SELF - Skills for Employment, Life & Family'. They have an office in my city and I volunteered to tutor adult learners in literacy. Last Monday, I attended the workshop (which will run for 4 weeks) teaching me how to tutor adults.

I must say I was shocked at the level of illiteracy in a 'developed' country like Canada.
Will keep you posted on how it pans out.

All about Obama

As is to be expected of a news junkie like me, I spent the whole day watching CNN yesterday. Obamania seems to have touched me too! Now, I am not, nor will ever be, a groupie. It's just that I wanted to see what the Americans would do to commemorate this event. At the outset, it presents like an impossible task. An African-American as President? But it has happened. There is a lot being said about whether Obama will be able to weather the huge expectations that his candidacy generated.

Some experts have commented about his inaugural speech not being as soulstirring as his earlier ones. But that, I believe, is a problem which America has to overcome. Rhetoric must be kept aside, simple steps must be outlined. In his speech, what Obama did was to paint a few broad strokes about his upcoming policies. It was not a speech, 'full of sound and fury/ signifying nothing', as Shakespeare would have said. It was a speech which clearly pointed the way he was going to deal with the mess USA has landed itself in.

He outlines, for instance, the fact that it is high time for Americans to curb wasteful consumption of resources. A cleaner way of life - I loved that thought. So, a return to basic values of thrift and common sense. If I can afford only $100, I do not go out and buy a coat costing $200 with my credit card. That way of thinking has only contributed to the rot in American society.

Another thing - he emphasized how infrastructure projects would be a way to generate more jobs, jumpstart the economy. Superb! Lots of schools, medical centres, bridges, roads etc need to be built. In the olden days, it was a tested strategy of kings to do the same when there were natural calamites.

Dependence on oil to be reduced - another winner. Please, we're so tired of putting up with the oil producers' whims. He directly addressed the Muslim nations. He has extended a friendly hand based on 'mutual interest', not the avenging angel type of action espoused by Bush. Smart move.

Education - a return to basic science and technology, not just quick IT-type schooling. Another big idea which is bound to revitalize youth.

So, all in all, I think his speech was a solid demonstration of his intentions. We, in Canada, will be watching to see how he behaves with us. After the fiasco with NAFTA, soft wood lumber and border security issues, how Obama views his northern neighbour remains to be seen. But, it's a new world. And I, along with other Canadians, continue to be hopeful.

Gutsy Raju

The temerity of some people is astonishing. They have no sense of their grave culpability; their huge egos probably cushion them from reality. I'm referring, of course, to the infamous Raju brothers who are currently in custody. After this monumental fraud they conducted at Satyam, they now have the audacity to ask for a 'special' cell to be allotted to them at the jail. In other words, they believe, like Orwell's pigs, 'everyone is equal, but they are more equal than others' (my paraphrase from 'Animal Farm').

Let's examine the undertones of this episode. Educated criminals, with fancy houses, kids in expensive private schools, uniformed gatemen at their doors and spouses who cram their Gucci bags hastily with Rs 500 notes - these very people have shattered the hopes, dreams and self-worth of thousands of their employees.

No better than the neighbourhood pickpocket, Raju has smothered his whispering conscience and like Icarus, risen higher and higher towards the sun. He probably forgot that the heat can melt those waxen wings and that a fall is imminent, a matter of time merely. He felt invincible in his role, so much so that he forgot to be shocked when his books were cooked by hired accounting firms. Instead, he gave them his blessings.

When it all came out, this load of crap, while being interviewed on TV, he could not meet the camera's omniscient eye. His eyes dropped and he perspired - it was ghastly to watch. Then came the details, and drive to the jail.

I guess he has recovered sufficiently now. He has asked his lawyers to plead for a better jail cell. What does he want - an a/c room with colour TV, tandoori paneer and fried rice? He's played around with lives of people, how is he better than a thief? Will a thief who stole to support his drug habit have the guts to ask for anything other than his rat-infested cell? I wonder.

List-hysteria. No, don't reach for the dictionary

As is usual these days, my sister who lives in Leeds and me in Ontario, were skype-ing today. Lists, we remarked wisely, are the only way to keep chaos at bay. Whether you are moving house (as are our parents in Kolkata) or planning a party, only lists can help to ensure the smooth operation of the event.

Now, you don't need a fancy pad and Cross pen, you certainly don't require a Blackberry. Just the back of an envelope and your kid's half-chewn pencil will do quite well. It's a discipline, like the nuns taught you in school. You might scoff, but trust me, it works.

I guess its a learned skill. I wasn't really a 'list' kind of person but now am a dedicated convert, since I've seen how stressless it can make life. I have lists for day to day activities, for upcoming events and the biggies like planning my trips. Relying on my memory is no longer such a great idea. Getting on, you know!

Just today I was vindicated in my belief of the efficacious nature of lists by a report in the news. It stated that researchers now believe that simple checklists before and after surgery can reduce complications and prevent deaths by a significant amount.

According to a study by the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, a plunge of 40% in complications and deaths resulted from following the humble list. I'm willing to believe those researcher guys. When I'm having a splenectomy, I'd rather the surgeon intones to the chief List-er, "Done, cross off- reconnect the spleen with the arteries".

This is no laughing matter. Go on, bring out your paper and pen. Make a list.

Weathering Ontario

It's c-c-cold here today. What do I mean by that? How about wrapping your head around the figure - minus 25? We were warned earlier about the extreme weather ahead of us. But its not the same when you are feeling the wind slam into your face. All other parts are generally covered but the face/eyes can't be. Unless of course you wear swimming-style goggles. A huge fashion faux pas, surely.

In Southwestern Ontario, where we live, weather as a topic of conversation, comes up with fascinating regularity. We start phone conversations with, 'Hi, cold?'

We view the march of the seasons with interest and sometimes strong feelings. Right now, its a fact that Ontarians are awaiting the arrival of spring really breathlessly. All we see outside our windows are piles of snow, bare trees and cars whizzing by. Few birds, except for the ubiquitious starlings and chickadees.

There is also an interesting medical condition that nervous types are subject to at this time of year. It's called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). An appropriate acronym. The scientific reason is that some people feel depressed more than usual at this time, simply because of lack of sunlight exposure. Not at all far fetched. We, who have been born and bred in tropical countries find it a hardship to get through these days.

Ah, the end of March, harbinger of warmer breezes, melting snow, the heavenly fuzz of green in the garden!

But, as a poet truthfully pointed out, "If winter comes, can spring be far behind?'

The blame game

All this news about Israel and Hamas in Gaza...it gets me down. To a certain extent we are inured to bad news, bloody news, news about murders, arson, kidnappings et al. Our age is one of profound 'care'-lessness.

We couldn't care less that half the world away, a family with six children are shivering in their two room apartment as bombs explode with frightening regularity. I watched on TV yesterday, this father telling the reporter that he has no answers to give his kids when they ask if they are going to die in the night. Can you imagine how he must feel?

Living in a war zone is no picnic certainly. For people in the Gaza strip, life must be all about scurrying to get the limited supplies available in the market, burrowing down in their makeshift shelters and thankfulness that they got through a night of terror alive.

Its sad that the media show these onesided reports. We all know that propoganda is a war weapon and one used effectively through the ages. Who knows whose 'fault' it is? Now, the common man does not need to fix blame. He needs to be safe and provide safety for his children. Today Canada is the only country in the UN security council which supports Israel. What are the ramifications of this move? Can we club it with the news that Canada is the first country that Obama will visit as President? Are these two linked?

They say, historically, all American Presidents visit Canada first, on taking office. It was only George Bush who visited Mexico first. Our conservative government filled with Harper's cronies certainly played their cards right, eh?

GG - talk

Watched the GGs last night. Predictably, it was glitzy and littered with familiar Hollywood stars. Most of the women wore weird dresses and had feathery concoctions in place of natural hair. Even the messiness of their hair was carefully done, one felt. Some of the necklaces/jewellery I loved!

Of the women there I liked for their timelss style - Meryl Streep & Susan Sarandon. Both are women of 'a certain age' and have an inimitable sense of presence. I also have a soft spot for Kate Winslett sitting between her husband and Leonardo di Caprio. Now, Leonardo is an actor I've always admired for his passion. I loved 'Titanic' and 'Blood Diamond'. But Kate won a GG and went to pieces. Her acceptance speech was a ham piece of acting, sounded false and completely ruined everyting. Also saw some gorgeous hunks like Brad Pitt. Tom Cruise looked older and more tired than ever. I liked Tom Hanks.

But the icing on the cake, for me, was watching 'Slumdog Millionaire' winning a couple of awards. Apna India was represented by ghastly Anil Kapoor (with a stubble), a suave Shahrukh Khan, A R Rahman - music maestro and the young pair in the movie, Dev Patel and Frieda Pinto.

Great to see people of Indian origin winning at the GGs. Hoepfully the Oscars will have them too.

Rituals in the morning

We all follow certain rituals. Starting off my day, I like to have a cup of tea, toast with apricot jam and the newspaper open on the table in front of me. We subscribe to Canada's largest newspaper - The Toronto Star (http://www.thestar.com/).

It's an old established paper, people like Hemmingway (yes, the Hemmingway) were reporters for it once upon a time. Later, it adopted a liberalist stance; it espoused causes of immigrants coming into the country and developed a healthy social conscience under Atkinson.

I like to read it because it gives me a wide coverage of what's happening in the province, the country and internationally. They also do many human interest stories, stories of troubled immigrants, quirky takes on life and such. So it provides an interesting link to the outside world.

The other newspapers that are available here can't compete with Star. Elistist groups may prefer 'Globe and Mail', and I have tried it, but something, maybe sheer comfort level, keeps me a loyal Star subscriber.

Which makes me think, so much of our lives are ruled by habits. Many years ago, my grandfather, a doctor in India, used to tell me sagely, "A habit is pretty hard to get rid of - if you take away the 'h', 'a bit' remains. If you take away 'a', 'bit' remains, and if you take away the 'b', 'it' remains!

Poetry time

I worked on a poem yesterday. It was fun to write and I got back to writing poetry after a fairly long break. I guess I was totally blocked. Creativity had deserted me and no matter how much I rationalized, I knew the muse would revisit me on her own terms and time. You can read books that tell you how to get over the block, you can write articles about it, you can do silly things like counting the number of times you type 'Life's hell!' on your New Word Document - but unless the muse is ready, she will not appear. On the other hand, just bemoaning the disappearance while looking tragic isn't helpful either. What did I do? I continued with my reading and waited patiently. Be positive and surely the muse will return, awed by your faithfulness. Meanwhile, here is the poem -

Geography

If I had continued to live in India
It would have been called the monsoons, perhaps.
All this precipitation is reminiscent of childhood overflow.
Unruly, in flowered plastic raincoats and red gum boots,
We ignored the plummet and slosh of loud gutters
Beside the municipal market and the slums
That we passed on our way to school –
We, who lived in safe housing societies with babypink bougainvillea.
Framed by iron gates, these whitewashed buildings bore names like
‘Sweet Peace’, ‘Tivoli’ and ‘Happy Home’ –

Here, the drifting melt of snow from under a strangely lit sky
Makes it hard to tell day from night
Noiseless, our street is lulled into a wash of gray and white -
The maples in our yard erect with the passion of snow
The hydrangea a mere reminder, pale against the silence.
Only a lone chickadee hops desperately on the fence
As smoke-whispers emerge from the placid houses.

Rain,
Snow, even.
This revolution of season endures
Regardless.

(C) Moushumi Chakrabarty

Taking off

Its still a brand new year, in fact, the new smell hasn't yet been replaced by the usual suspects that come by like uninvited guests throughout the year. I am referring to failed resolutions, dashed hopes, dying dreams and inevitable fallings-out with loved ones or ideas or projects. There is still a freshness in these early January days - like when you open up the morning newspaper or a Nestle chocolate ice cream cone , a wrapped gift or a new bar of soap.

Ideally its the right time to start anew, to brush aside any lingering doubts, commit to new enterprises. The best part is that you believe wholeheartedly that you will acheive what you set out to in the first place. Failure does not raise its warty head here.

Naturally I am referring to starting up this blog. I've tried before and ssssh, failed to keep at it. But we're not talking about the whys and wherefores of failure. Good things come to those who persevere. We all know that's true. Just today I read about a blogger who had his blogs converted magically into a book. Now how cool is that?

Not that I have similar aspirations. I already have had a book published, thank you very much. But it just goes to show that anything, literally anything, is possible these days. Oh, brave new world that we live in!

On that tip of my hat to Huxley, I will bid adieu. I'm coming back tomorrow. Just to prove to you, my reader(s) that I exist, that I am capable of perseverance.