Cattle Class and Austerity

The newspapers these days have been hounded by reports of austerity by our beloved politicians. Whether its moving out of 5-star hotels or traveling by economy class. Austerity seems to be the word of the day. I am quite surprised that after years of democracy, austerity seems to have been a recently added word in their dictionary. Now I believe recession has truly set in. Austerity has nothing to do with feelings towards the people, or empathizing, but with cost cutting. Probably they'd like to spend a little less from the government coffers so that they can fill their pockets for a rainy day. Maybe, quite maybe.

Imagine if everyone from politicians to actors to business tycoons decide to travel economy class. I am sure it would definitely be renamed to cattle class but definitely the high end ones and prices of which the common man could never afford. I am sure Mr. Tharoor would be grinning.

Imagine yourself sharing a seat with Mukesh Ambani in a train from Virar to CST. You'd probably be short of conversation, only stumped. Or what if the finance minister decides to dine at your favourite roadside gaddo, you better have a list of grievances ready. Or just maybe you are given a lift home by Daddy Cool, Saif Ali Khan on a Bajaj Scooter. I am sure you'd be holding him tight.

I'm not against austerity, but definitely against it alongside publicity. Guess the media hounds have nothing better to report.

What about the cattle class remarks, you may ask? Oh come on, for those who've traveled in airplanes, no one would disagree to Mr. Tharoor's remarks. In fact, the private buses plying in Goa are no different. If your railway ministers having a waiting tickets issued, which allows you to travel, obviously you'd be herded in as cattle in a train as well. Go Mr. Tharoor go, cattle class is definitely in.

Influence can buy you your life??

In our country, doctors and nurses are viewed as a reincarnation of God and the medical profession is one of the most noble. However, an experience I had yesterday has put me in doubt.

My neighbor had a blood pressure drop and was unconscious for nearly an hour. Getting a doctor to see a patient at home is very difficult and considering it's a Sunday, made the task quite hurricane. Finally we managed to get a kind doctor Oscar from the village who was on his way to Panjim but took an u-turn and came back to Betalbatim to see her. Getting her to consciousness through garlic and burnt cloth smells was a jolt to reality. The doctor having given the first aid asked to admit her to the government hospital as soon as possible. Having taken her there, I was told there are no beds available in casualty to treat her and she'd have to wait till there is a vacant slot. Old that she was, she could not even hold her head still while sitting and waiting till we get a vacant bed in casualty. Better sense prevailed and I called back Dr Oscar explaining the situation. He immediately made a call to the doctor inside and only then did the nurses relent to let her in. If influence and power could save lives, no wonder the poor and lower class are dying in pain.

On one side there was a Dr. Oscar who took a u-turn and came back to treat a patient, called up nearly four-five times to ensure everything was alright while on the other there are doctors and nurses who need phone calls from higher ups to bring them back to reality. I sometimes wonder what would have happened had Dr. Oscar too turned the other way.

I sometimes feel that I did a mistake not having taken the medical seat I had qualified for ( I chose to study engineering ), and in times like this my mistake seems quite grave.

What's in a name?

The legendary Shakespeare once said "Whats in a name?". Today many years down the line one of India's most prestigious entrepreneur proved it right, perfectly right! India's fourth largest IT company built on lies, and fraud contrary to its name - Satyam! But in fact what great source to lead to the downhall - Maytas, the reverse and the opposite of Satyam - the truth.

This puts a question mark on the running of the other biggies in the IT industry. I really don't know about the others, but would definitely not like to put Infosys in the same list. I consider NRN to be my idol and can't see him in the same light as what was done and become of Raju.

Having had seen him from close for two years during my stint with Infosys, I have only heard the best of anecdotes about him whether from his colleagues, his personal staff or the housekeeping staff of his office. With him as a leader in Infosys, even be it non executive I strongly believe he has set a legacy for Infosys with a strong value set to emulate.

I do not know how many people would read this article, neither do I consider myself significant enough whose opinion can be valued, but I'd still like to say Infosys is definitely a company to look up to. The values we have learnt are what makes us different!! Not just the name, afterall!