ExpertDabbler

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_tot_cri_percap-crime-total-crimes-per-capita

Like all stats, you can interpret it the way you want. You can argue that crime reporting happens more in developed countries. You can add that the very definition of crime varies by country. Both are valid arguments. On the other extreme, if you are a proud Indian, you would still feel good that for a population of her size, India’s crime rate is remarkably low.

I would make an average of these two extremes and would conclude that the truth is somewhere between these two.

Barack Obama wants to remove tax cuts to companies which send jobs outside America. I am not sure what tax cuts these companies are getting now. That apart, a lot of naive Indian IT coolies are worried that they might lose their jobs. What would happen to their commitments? On the other hand, there are a few NRI folks who are happy that there is some one who is taking the path of going against the outsourcing wave. One I spoke to even mentioned, ‘Sub prime mortage naale ella IT projects um gaali.. Rupee appeciation naale inime IT outsourcing wave avlo dhaan…TCS la onsite la irukara neraya pera thirumba vara solitaangalam’ with barely concealed glee. I am sure these guys might want to listen to Barack Obama speak against outsourcing in their iPods which incidentally is manufactured like this here. I would like to know what would be the cost of iPod had it been manufactured in Cupertino? And how many desis , or even Americans who oppose outsourcing would be prepared to buy at that price? TCS may or may not have called back all the onsite resources. But Cognizant is building a mega campus in Coimbatore.

The first time I came to know about outsourcing is not when Infosys and Wipro made headlines. It was much before that. Nikon, my favorite camera manufacturer introduced a model called FM-10. For the first time, a new Nikon was available at affordable price for a middle class guy. My father then said, ‘Ellam China la panradhu da, ellam cheap stuff’. On the other hand, the German made Leica always costs a bomb. Its like you basically get half the features for double the price. Leica R4 costed 1500$ when a comparable Nikon / Canon would cost half of that with more features. Right now, My D50 body is manufactured in Thailand. My favorite 50mm f/1.8 plastic lens is manufactured in China.

Barack Obama, Michael Moore, and some NRIs in general are against outsourcing. But the decision to outsource is a business one, not political.

Personally, i am neither for nor against outsourcing. All I would say is that with the current level of integration among the economies of the world, and whose pace is only increasing, outsourcing is inevitable. We can stop outsourcing, if we are prepared to move out of this globally interconnected economic model to small, localized economies using intermediate technologies as envisioned by E F Schumacher. Such a model is more environment friendly albeit less sophisticated. But that would mean No to iPods, no to Japanese cars in US, and No to Nike shoes. Perhaps we can stretch the logic to even ask people to return to their home countries.

Sitting comfortably in countries like US, UK and talking bad about outsourcing is called ‘pithalaatam’ in my lexicon.

I am planning to have a post dedicated to my learnings in a week. Let’s see.

whatsthis, originally uploaded by expertdabbler.

Title: Babu

N tier architecture? whatever!
Makkale, start meejik

I always knew that Triplicane is the area of bachelors mansions. But I did not realize the historical significance of this place till last Saturday. Still, there is a lot to know about this area.

For starters, Subramania Bharathy’s ninavu illam is situated close to Parthasarathy temple. I was busy photographing that house, when a nearby Maama commented,’Avar irukara kaalathile maasam Rs.3 vaadagai kudukka mudiyaama kashtapattaar, innaiku oorey avarai kondaadaraa.. enna ulagamada..’ I could not say anything to this.

Another place that caught my attention was a very old house in dilapidated condition.
As I was trying to take a picture, an elderly person (a passerby called him Nari for whatever reason), got friendly with me and started explaining about the house. His family has lived in that house for four generations. The place apparently belongs to a Trust in UP. The entire area houses about 55 families. The arrangement was that the rental proceeds should go to the said Trust, he said.

Now, it looks like they are on the verge of demolishing the house. Nari said he vacated that place and is living close by. He had some misgivings about the way the property was managed and that the rental proceeds are going to the Trust after ‘standard deductions’ by vested interests.

I also found a very intriguing board in front of a house. This is the first time I am seeing a fan club for short stories.

Overall, it was a very interesting episode for me personally. Coming to think of it, this was just in the immediate vicinity of the temple. I guess a lot can be uncovered if only we roam the streets of Triplicane long enough. This is my second visit to Triplcane in about a month. And it’s pertinent to note that I did not notice all these during my first trip. Hmm..Looks like there are a few places to notice apart from Ratna Café in Triplicane

Amma pillai, originally uploaded by expertdabbler.

Title by: Mahesh Ramamurthy

The major rules of composition are violated here.
The guy in the background is chopped , so is the kid on the right.
I was too focused on capturing this kid and the lady and missed out on other aspects.

Partha, originally uploaded by expertdabbler.

Title: Kris

Grr… See how Sidney Sheldon has spoiled me?
Better title please

PK: This is literally the other side of Parthasarathy temple in triplicane

Verppattru is my first Indira Parthasarathy novel. I would not call this as a classic, but it is still a decent read. I liked the irony at the end. A guy who is hell-bent on fighting caste, at last gets his job because of his caste
Actually the central theme of the novel is the hypocrisy by various characters in various situations. The person who seems the most dogmatic (kesavan’s father) in the beginning, is the one who adapts well with reality without losing his principles towards the end.

Verdict: Time irundha padikalaam