Tsunami, Earth Quakes, Nuclear Power Plant Blasts, Volcano Eruption - All at a time

God! How much can a country take ?

10 things to learn from Japan

There is so much to learn from the Citizens of Japan – Their grace, calmness, confidence, care… I could think of the below which one of my colleagues sent me. He has put it so well.

1. THE CALM
Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated.

2. THE DIGNITY
Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.

3. THE ABILITY
The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn’t fall.

4. THE GRACE
People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.

5. THE ORDER
No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.

6. THE SACRIFICE
Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?

7. THE TENDERNESS
Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.

8. THE TRAINING
The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.

9. THE MEDIA
They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage.

10. THE CONSCIENCE
When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly
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Make voting mandatory

Most of the citizens, especially those living in urban areas, don’t give a damn about elections because they never voted before nor do they intend to ever vote.  In fact, most of these people feel that elections are a nuisance.   These people categorically blame the politicians for everything that goes wrong with their lives.   They think all politicians are bad and so for them, it does not make sense to choose one bad over another bad.

My guess is that people who are economically poor vote largely because the local ‘dada’ makes sure that they get out and vote.  These people feel that only if they vote, the ‘dada’ would represent them in time of need.   Most of these people don’t know much about the background of the candidates, and are not capable of deciding as to whom they should vote for.  Either the local ‘dada’ tells them (or dictates them or bribes them) to vote for the party that he belongs to, or, the man of the family tells everyone whom they should vote for.

In case of the rich, these people have ‘connections’ for everything so they don’t feel that they need to ever approach the elected representative for anything, so they don’t find it worthwhile to vote.  Though these people may not need the politicians, they are well educated crowd so they are capable of selecting the best candidate among the contestants.  It is important for this segment of population to vote.

The large middle class are those who are somewhat split.  They are neither in a ‘controlled’ environment like the poor, nor do they have the ‘connections’ of the rich.  Most of these people are somewhat educated enough to select the best candidate based on the contestants’ back ground.  Minor percent of these people believe that it is their duty to vote and so exercise their vote however bad the contestants are.   It is important for the majority who generally do not vote to come out and vote  because these people are capable of choosing the best candidate among the contestants.

I believe that the quality of the elected representative will become better over the years only if the ENTIRE adult population vote.  It is a vicious cycle.  When people consistently vote for the best qualified people (in terms of education, experience, past record, etc.), the politicians would field the best qualified people.  This way, overall, the country becomes better because it is governed by people who are most qualified.

IN ORDER FOR EVERYONE TO COME OUT AND VOTE, I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO MAKE VOTING MANDATORY – AT LEAST PARLIAMENT AND ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS.   

Even if this would raise the voting percent from current 50 – 60% to 80 – 90%, we would see a significant improvement in the quality of candidates.  

5 Things I Admire About Mr. Warren Buffett

Mr. Warren Buffett  (Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc) is visiting India to launch his website as Corporate agent of a general insurance company.  Though I won't be able to meet him during his visit, somehow, I think I would be meet him some day. 

Never Too Early To Pursue Your Passion

Mr. Buffett showed interest in making money and saving even as a child.  As early as 7 years, he learned to make money by selling chewing gum, magazines, and coca-cola door-to-door.   By the time he was in high school, he had already worked in grocery stores and delivering newspapers, golf balls, etc. and start making and saving money.

Prepare Yourself

He pursued his interest in finance by properly educating himself in the line of his interest.  I believe in this.  An uncut diamond has to be cut and polished in order for it to derive its value.  That is what education gives.

Enough is enough

Attaining Contentment in material wealth is a challenge which he has conquered.  How much is enough?  He believes that every material wealth should have a utilitarian value.  He DOES NOT believe in investing in gold for the same reason, there is no utility out of it.

GIVE

Give – Give – Give – Mr. Buffet is planning to give away most of his wealth to charitable causes. He has already pledged Rs 1.38 lakh crores (That is 138 followed by 10 zeros) to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  He does not believe in leaving large wealth for his children.  He says, "I want to give my kids just enough so that they would feel that they could do anything, but not so much that they would feel like doing nothing".

WORK

There is no such thing as retirement in his life – He is 81 years old and still works.