Life in a METRO

As I stepped in Delhi Metro this morning to begin my exhausting daily journey to Gurgaon, my cellphone started displaying battery low sign (all thanks to my brother & some inbuilt game in mobile). So with nothing to read & no music to hear, I was left with no option but to observe others.

I believe who so ever has travelled in Metro at least once must have observed the “athlete janta” of Delhi which always keeps on running the moment they enter metro premises. During morning time one can still understand that all “punctual” employees have to make it to office at least few seconds before reporting time gets over but I still don’t understand why people become Usain Bolt suddenly in evening too. I guess it is because Metro doesn’t have attached toilets.

With winters setting in, Delhi seems a much beautiful place than it is during summers. But inside metro it’s always the same; uncle’s discussing politics & current affairs or throwing some “gyan”, aunties giving weird look, girls busy with mobiles and guys busy checking them out. In addition to this there is a chunk of “solo” passengers who start off the day by sleeping the whole journey the moment they place themselves on seat. There are readers who are lost in their”book world” from boarding station to destination, music lovers with earphone plugged in and rhythm flowing in & out and off course there are observers too.

One can easily notice few common characters in every compartment; students discussing everything except studies and love birds with either their public display of love or with tantrums thrown by one of the lovers. But my favorites are opportunists who throughout the journey seek opportunity to grab a seat, their eyes anticipate every possible opportunity and body moves in all direction in search of a seat, thus they irritate others with their restlessness. But the most irritating creatures on DELHI METRO are those who shout on top of their voice over phone hoping that it will reach the receiver, especially in underground metro where signal will obviously be weak.

But then METRO is an experience too, which brings joy sometimes in form of innocence on face of kids, some musician playing amazing tunes on harmonica, sometimes with some drunk chap who speaks out distress of common man & anger  against government  and at times with presence of multiplicity of culture under the Metro roof.

One Day Patriotism

Nation today celebrates its 66th Independence Day in the midst of political, economical & social chaos. We have surely travelled a long & tough journey to become”the next super power” and we are proud of making what India is today despite all the odds.

I am observing everyone & almost everything painted in colors of saffron, white & green today. A nation in its colors of “one day patriotism”. Every media is filled with epics of freedom struggle & fighters but what after today? Life will be back to normal; same signal jumps, road rage, shortcuts to success, black & white game of money and our so called gyan.

We are all with Anna Hazare at Jantar Mantar, Facebook & SMS’s but when it comes to act in practicality; patriotism seems to be sitting on back bench and we all represent Gandhiji’s three monkeys. Patriotism is not about covering our self in national colors or supporting Anna at Jantar Mantar but in thinking and acting upon positive changes. Yes, it is difficult to change others or to bring a big change all of a sudden but small individual efforts can surely bring big changes.

Remember, “Satyamev Jayate” is just a mirror; we have to clean the face our self. This country will not be independent in true sense till the time we are not sensitive about our people, nature & moral values. We are the largest democracy with largest number of youths in the world. We are proud of making what India is today despite all the odds and we can surely make it better, we just need to wake up and the time is “NOW”.

With the hope for a better tomorrow I wish you all a happy Independence Day. 
JAI HIND

Brand Modi and Brand Gujarat

India is the largest democracy in the world with all sorts of diversities. At present India is a critical associate and important market for most; the world is watching us. With this bag of expectation from everyone India is going through a transitional phase in its economic, social and political environment. The media agenda, public activism, youth force all are significantly driving this transition. With lot many scams, public protest, slowdown, inflation, development in recent past the political scenario is little different as it use to be always; today development, corruption, public image etc are prime issues in elections which earlier use to be sidelined. Recent U.P polls have also indicated an increased percentage in polling than ever before.

We are for sure the largest democracy in the world but this is also true that for few decades no party has got clear majority, which has led to compromised coalition governance which in turn has led to various irregularities and scams. In the midst of above there is a name which is often heard or seen almost everywhere in political arena. I am referring to current Gujarat Chief minister Mr. Narendra Modi, who is projected as one of the strong prospects of Prime ministerial candidacy.

In last decade or so Narendra Modi has emerged as top leaders in the country and has developed a model of governance that has become a brand in itself and is inspiring others too. Leadership is not an easy task and true leaders achieve goals consistently against the odds. In a country where states cry and blame central governance for negligence; the story of Gujarat’s development is exceptional and this is probably Narendra Modi’s greatest claim to fame. The consistency of performance and effectively handling of the core areas of administration provides him with the brand image which people associate with “growth & development”. His core competency in business of politics is his “brand value” arising out of his good governance and he seems to be focusing on it. This is evident from the fact that often his state governance receives praise even from opposition camps also. His interest and involvement in all levels of administration proves motivating for ground level workers.

His liberal trade policies and various initiatives have already attracted the major corporate towards Gujarat. I have travelled in the interiors and on different highways in Gujarat and spend good time in Gujarat, and believe me the roads in Gujarat stand out any other state. It is evident from the fact that the state has highest number of industrial areas, top performing ports; availability of electricity & water throughout the state has made Gujarat a “Role model for development”.

However it is also undeniable that the brand “Modi” has some negative aspects too. He has strains of Godhra on his collars; his lack of governance during riots is constantly brought under focus. This has dented his image in terms of national acceptability, particularly among few communities, secular allies and the US.  This is not the only problem for Modi in roads to Delhi, the fact that there are many senior leaders in his own the party who are waiting to grab the top most position in the political arena makes it difficult, Above that his headlocks with senior party leaders and his bulldozing decisions also makes roads difficult for him. His too firm decisions and conflicts with other bodies are not adding to his pleasure.

Modi has lately gone into overdrive to affect a massive image makeover with his “Sadbhawna fast” for communal harmony. He has put in efforts to change his image from Hindu nationalist politician to an able administrator; he wears business suits and drastically improved on his command over English language, has a website on his name in order to reach out masses.

Modi is a strong character and had been a strategist in the past, surely he will devise strategies for himself that will help him overcome these hurdles and make his road clear. Politics is a strange game and only time will tell us who leads the chair in center in 2014 but one thing is for sure that Modi has brought in consistent development in almost every section and created a brand for himself and his state.

Privatization of Container Train business in India

Economic growth and trade expansion in recent years have enhanced the relevance of railways as a critical element in the globalisation of the Indian economy. In particular, this sector has witnessed significant interest from both domestic as well as foreign investors following the policy initiatives taken by the Government of India to promote public private partnerships in infrastructure.

In India, railways are government owned and operate under the Ministry of Railways (MoR). It is a vertically integrated organization controlling its own facilities, performing all operating and administrative functions and unilaterally determining what services to provide. The top management of IR also functions as the secretaries of the MoR, thereby bundling the roles of licensor, infrastructure service provider, operator, and regulator.

With a view to attracting a greater share of container traffic and introducing competition in rail freight services, in January 2006 the Ministry of Railways allowed the entry of private and public sector operators to obtain licenses for running container trains on the Indian Railways (IR) network. The scheme was opened to all Indian companies, including subsidiaries of foreign companies registered in India, having a minimum annual turnover of Rs 1 billion. The validity for permission was for 20 years, further extendable to another 10 years, on the same terms and conditions under a Model Concession Agreement (MCA).The period of concession would start from the date of signing of the agreement.

This initiative was the first significant move of its kind where private parties were allowed to make entry in the domain of railway operations with direct customer interfacing. The response to the policy was good and 15 new entrants obtained licenses to run container trains and one more player Arshiya international joined later in 2008.

The MCA provides for non-discriminatory scheduling of trains as among different operators, public and private. All container trains will be scheduled on a first-come-first-served basis, thus providing a level playing field to all operators including the incumbent public sector operator. There is no restriction on the frequency and number of trains that a Concessionaire can offer to the Railway Administration for haulage.

The entire network of IR was classified and grouped into four categories based on existing and anticipated traffic volumes of ports. A onetime registration fee of Rs 50 crores (for category I license) or Rs 10 crores (for category II, III, and IV license) was payable to MoR.

Category I covers JNP/Mumbai Port - National Capital Region (NCR) rail corridor and beyond. This category also includes all domestic traffic.

Category II covers Rail corridors serving JNP/Mumbai Port and its hinterland in other than NCR and beyond. This category will also include all domestic traffic except on category I routes.

Category III covers Rail corridors serving the ports of Pipavav, Mundra, Chennai/Ennore, Vizag and Kochi and their hinterland. This category will also include all domestic traffic except on category I routes.

Category IV covers Rail corridors serving other ports like Kandla, New Mangalore, Tuticorin, Haldia /Kolkata, Paradip and Mormugao and their hinterland and all domestic traffic routes. This category will also include all domestic traffic except on category I routes.

According to the agreement locomotives would be provided by the Railway Administration to haul trains on a non-discriminatory basis on payment of notified charges. For delay in supply of locomotives beyond twelve hours, the Authority would provide a rebate equal to 2% of the haulage charges payable by the Concessionaire.

Haulage charges for movement of containers on the railway network informally would be prescribed by the Railway Administration from time to time, and would be applicable to all operators on a nondiscriminatory basis.

The Railway Administration would haul Concessionaire trains carrying notified commodities at the tariff specified for such commodities. Operators had to pay haulage charges to IR for using its infrastructure. IR reserved the right to determine haulage charges. Trains would be dispatched on a nondiscriminatory ‘first come first served’ basis.

The MCA was signed with operators on 4th January 2007. Thus, of the 16 operators, 12 got the category I license, two operators got category III and other two operators got category IV. None had sought the category II license. Most of the companies created subsidiaries to undertake container operations. The 16 CTOs and their respective category licenses are as follows:

• Adani Logistics Ltd (Adani Group)- Category I
• CONCOR (IR Public Sector Undertaking)-Category I
• Container Rail Road Services (DP World)-Category I
• CWC (CWC Public Sector Undertaking)-Category I
• Freighstar (ETA Group)-Category I
• Gateway Rail Freight ltd (Gateway Distriparks)-Category I
• Hind Terminals (Sharaf Group (UAE) and MSC Agency)-Category I
• India Infrastructure and Logistics (APL India)           -Category I
• Reliance Infrastructure (Reliance (ADAG))-Category I
• SICAL Logistics-Category I
• Boxtrans (India) Logistics Services (JM Baxi & Co)-Category III
• Pipava Railway Corporation Ltd (PRCL)-Category III
• TransRail Logistics Ltd (Delhi Assam Roadways)-Category IV
• Innovative B2B Logistics Solutions (Bagadiya Shipping & Bothra Brothers (P) Ltd)         -Category IV
• KRIBHCO Infrastructure Ltd (KRIBHCO (Public Sector Undertaking))-Category I
• Arshiya Rail Infrastructure (Arshiya International)-Category I

Gateway Rail Freight Pvt Ltd was the first private operator to run a container train. They flagged off their first train on 3rd May, 2006, using a CONCOR rake. The first privately owned container train by a private operator was flagged off by Innovative B2B Logistics Solutions on 30th October, 2006.

Transformation of Cinema

Indian cinema has gained huge recognition worldwide in last 2 decades or so. The standards of film making, budgets, technology all have taken a huge leap. An industry which produces highest number of movies per year compared to any other industry worldwide; has also gained a considerable amount of followers overseas which has added to its glory. Surely this transformation has come because of the unconventional approach adopted by industry. Multiplex has given a flavor to cinema and helped in targeting a different segment. Technology advancements such as High definition, 3D effects, digital sound etc. has made the experience world class.

Another sea change has been observed in the approach of Hindi film making that focuses on connect with all segments. Be it merger of art and commercial cinema through “multiplex cinema” or picking up real plots for filmmaking such as “no one killed Jessica” or by adopting bestselling books like “5 point someone”;all have offered a different flavor to audience.

The collaboration with global studios and their significant involvement has also helped in raising the bar of film making. Big budgets, overseas set up and background, involvement of overseas technicians and workforce has become a common trend. A recent trend of risk taking film making is also observed to create something out of the league. Similar is the case with screenplay, cinematography and other key departments.

Recent movies such as Robot & RA One both are classic example of changing flavor and technology involvement, the mega success of “3 Idiots” clarifies the way for adoption in cinema. On one hand there is freshness in masala films such as “Dabangg & Singham” and on other hand there are youth centric films like Rock star, Rock on & Rang de basanti. Another classic example of change in Hindi cinema’s approach is “DON” series, where unlike the traditional Hindi film; the central character is purely negative, greedy & mean. Appearance of international celebrities in Indian movies & vise verse is common now days.

This trend existed in Indian cinema from beginning but remained noticeable in few works. The era of art cinema surely gave the impactful weight to content & quality but it was not always able to lure masses. With new generation coming up with different perspective and ideas I hope the cinema lovers will be served with many exciting flavors in the coming time