Do it yourself

Thought for the day "I have become my own version of an optimist. If I can't make it through one door, I'll go through another door - or I'll make a door." -           Rabindranath Tagore (Indian, 1861-1941) Word for the day Shenanigan (n) Mischief; Prankishness; Remarks intended to deceive; deceit. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day What is the best option for Shiv Sena? (a)        Claim the entire Hindutava space and become a national party. (b)        Merge with BJP. (c)         Fade into oblivion silently or boisterously. (d)           Turn secular and ally with Congress My five cents - the Great Wall of India Imagine would India be a global ITeS superpower without Y2K or technology bubble during late 1990s...

Thought for the day "The water in a vessel is sparkling; the water in the sea is dark. The small truth has words which are clear; the great truth has great silence." -           Rabindranath Tagore (Indian, 1861-1941) Word for the day Suasion (n) The act of persuading; persuasion. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day Kidnapping, rape and murder in Uttrakhand, "the Abode of God", is unfathomable. Something is going seriously wrong somewhere! My five cents - Reforms II On my recent trip to the state of Uttar Pradesh, I had a chance to visit some villages in interiors of the eastern part of the state. As widely acknowledged, this region figures in the bottom 10% in terms of economic development. It was shocking to see that despite plenty of water, fertile soil, hard working people, and rich cultural & historical traditions, the people here live in pathetic con...

Thought for the day "Don't limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time. " -           Rabindranath Tagore (Indian, 1861-1941) Word for the day Boisterous (adj) Rough and noisy; clamorous; unrestrained (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day Are "Science & Technology" and "Law & Justice" much lesser problems in India as compared to "Health" and "Railways"? If no, how an underachiever in one is suitable for the other? My five cents - Reforms As stated yesterday, when faced with the task of catapulting the economic activity to a higher orbit it is imperative for the policy makers to distinguish between "administrative corrections", "systemic efficiencies" and "reforms". The businesses, investors and consumers also need to assimilate that economic reforms do not necessarily result in more prof...

Thought for the day "Emancipation from the bondage of the soil is no freedom for the tree." -           Rabindranath Tagore (Indian, 1861-1941) Word for the day Sinistral (adj) Left handed: Of, pertaining to, or on the left side; left (opposed to dextral). (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day I ask the PM and all his ministers in the cabinet - "Do they act without "Fear or Favor" and "Affection or Ill-Will", in accordance with the Oath of office and secrecy they take before assumption of office? My five cents Reportedly, the government has set the ball rolling for budget preparations little early this year. From public utterances it appears that the Team Modi wants FY2016 union budget to be a stepping stone for delivering the election promise of good governance and faster & inclusive growth. I believe, like all good citizens, it is my duty to contribute...

Thought for the day "From the solemn gloom of the temple children run out to sit in the dust, God watches them play and forgets the priest." -           Rabindranath Tagore (Indian, 1861-1941) Word for the day Kickshaw (n) A tidbit or delicacy, especially one served as an appetizer or hors d'oeuvre. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day Just imagine Congress Party wins the Delhi assembly elections! Many stalwarts, who have nothing to do, and cannot even enter Rajya Sabha, are in a tussle to become Chief Minister. Poor Mr. Lovely who fought really hard to win the election is left alone to live another day. Something is amiss The results of recently concluded US congressional elections appear to have surprised many. The global media is witnessing intense discussion as to reasons and implications of the popular verdict that may see President Barack Obama reduce...

Thought for the day "Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky." -           Rabindranath Tagore (Indian, 1861-1941) Word for the day   Crapehanger(n) A person who sees the gloomy side of things; pessimist. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day Most left leaning intellectuals were found searching for "substance" in PM's Man ki Baat. Isn't it paradoxical? Because the King talking to his subjects only about welfare schemes and money is very feudal and burgeon. 9K on Nifty - I'll pass; you take it, if you must The global markets are once again on a high dose of steroid. As feared, Bank of Japan has undertaken yet another "whatever it takes" type of adventure. The immediate repercussions are (a) "risk on" trade gets more legs; (b) short sellers get squeezed out; (c) Yen weakens to coax ma...

Thought for the day "The most common lie is that which one lies to himself; lying to others is relatively an exception." -           Friedrich Nietzsche (German, 1844-1900) Word for the day Indignant (adj) Feeling, characterized by, or expressing strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base: (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day Does our Constitution allows me the freedom to express my views on how women, children or men should dress, so long I am not imposing my views on anyone including my family? QE is dead, long live QE US Federal Reserve (The Fed) finally brought the curtains down on its two year old bond buying program, popularly known as "QE3", being the third round of quantitative easing post Lehman collapse in early winter of 2008. The gradual withdrawal ("taper") of the US$85bn a month buying program had started early this y...

Thought for the day "We hear only those questions for which we are in a position to find answers." -           Friedrich Nietzsche (German, 1844-1900) Word for the day incommunicado (adv or adj) Without the means or right to communicate. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day The color of money is never black. Money in fact has no color of its own. It usually acquires the color of hand holding it. Conventional wisdom I have been insisting for past many months, rather annoyingly to some, that given the uncertainties that underscore the present global financial and macroeconomic conditions, it is critical to anticipate and understand the risks – evident, potential and unforeseen; and calibrate the investment strategy and portfolios accordingly, without losing the sight of the opportunity waiting on the horizon to be seized. "Easier said than done" - yes ...