tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104920072024-03-13T08:49:51.792-07:00The World of my OwnVenkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-86511931170030993732019-10-20T06:23:00.002-07:002019-10-20T07:56:30.750-07:00To Vote...OR Not to Vote...2019 Maha Elections<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Maybe this post is a bit too late. But as they say better late than never. Even if I can get one more extra person to vote in tomorrow's (21st October 2019) Maharashtra state elections, I would be happy.<br />
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Tomorrow 21st October 2019, Citizens of Maharastra, India go out to choose their state government for the next 5 years. The ruling Shiv Sena (SS) - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is supposed to sweep the polls again behind Prime Minister (PM) Modi's huge win in May 2019 (never like this political term "ruling party" used for the majority party or alliance in India). The opposition is supposed to be too scattered and not focused to mount any sort of challenge to the SS-BJP alliance.<br />
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It should not be this way. We need to think local in State and Local elections. It should not matter what and who the Central government is made of. Has your local MP done enough for your constituency in the last 5 years? Does he or she have a vision for the future and understand your local needs and issues?<br />
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Please go out and vote accordingly tomorrow. Most firms have given us a holiday to exercise our choice tomorrow. Please use this opportunity to make your voice heard. Maharashtra especially cities like Mumbai have been bad in turning up for State Elections. In 2014, Only <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/specials/assembly-elections-2014/maharashtra-news/Against-LS-polls-voter-turnout-rose-by-4-in-Maharashtra-assembly-polls/articleshow/44844609.cms" target="_blank">53 percent</a> of the people came out to vote in Mumbai. This was better than the paltry 45 percent in 2009. Hope Mumbai and other metros can cross the 60 percent mark in 2019 like in the Lok Sabha elections.<br />
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It is late to register if you already have not done so but if you have voted in May for the Lok Sabha elections then it is a fair guess that you can do the same for Vidhan Sabha too. Please take a moment of your time to vote tomorrow. Below are a few useful links to know more about the elections and your candidates -<br />
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A third-party site with basic information on all constituencies - <a href="http://www.elections.in/maharashtra/assembly-constituencies/">http://www.elections.in/maharashtra/assembly-constituencies/</a><br />
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List of Candidates in your area based on Election Commission Site - <a href="http://103.23.150.139/AssemblyElection2019/AC2019.aspx">http://103.23.150.139/AssemblyElection2019/AC2019.aspx</a><br />
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If you don't know your constituency, please use this map -<br />
<a href="http://pibmumbai.gov.in/English/PDF/E2009_ME5.PDF">http://pibmumbai.gov.in/English/PDF/E2009_ME5.PDF</a><br />
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Go out and exercise your franchise tomorrow. This is your chance to make your voice heard for all your local issues - be it education, water, flooding, roads, etc.<br />
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Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-86719971271619641162019-07-20T21:31:00.000-07:002019-07-20T21:40:19.150-07:00Coaching - Mentoring: A Must for all????<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have had the good fortune of having great guides or mentors all my life. Starting my ultimate guide/mentor - My Dad. While he was with us, I looked up to him and went to him for everything. I (and my brother) owe all basic values and behaviors to him (my mom refined those values in us). After him (i was 27 by then), I sought mentors, especially for my professional career. I found many - some of my direct supervisors, other leaders in my firms, and many virtual ones in good books. These mentors have been very influential in my career, in my life, and where I am now. I am so grateful to them for their time and counsel.<br />
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I always felt mentors are always needed to guide us. Even Indian Gods and Heroes like Ram and Arjun had mentors or teachers that guided them in time of need (Simba had Mufasa). Multiple TED speakers confirmed this idea. But, recently I interacted with people who told me that mentoring is no use to them. And that they are different than most other people and wanted to make their own mistakes and learn. As you might have guessed, these people were younger than me. Not sure this has something to do with being young and fearless. I offered to mentor two young guys via the Anatarang Foundation in Mumbai. These are extremely smart young guys (in their late teens) from the lower-middle-class community in Mumbai. Both were looking for guidance on career, interviewing, and spoken English. Our initial meeting went well but subsequent interactions have been sporadic at best. Maybe their time with me is not very useful to them. I am trying to get some feedback so I can be useful to them and others in the future. </div>
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I am trying to reconcile my belief and the wishes of the younger generation. What is the middle ground that we can meet on without them feeling boxed in? I believe mentoring is needed while making key life-altering decisions and when you need to achieve an important skill for your future success. For example, if you are trying to choose Career A versus Career B or Taking up a new Job Y or stay at Job X. For non-native English speakers, when you want to learn skills like interviewing, resume writing, presentation skills, counselors/trainers are a must for success (Antarang helps with this). These decisions or forks in the road are very important to many and most in this world don't have the luxury to come back to the fork and take a different decision. Mentor and Coach can help here if the advice is "heard". There are other life decisions where you need DON'T a teacher or mentor. You can be your own person. You can make your mistakes, learn from them, and come back from them. These could be lifestyle choices, your passion projects, small investment decisions, etc.<br />
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For success - The mentee and mentor must accept each other with their virtues and flaws. I read somewhere that the relationship should be sealed with a verbal confirmation. Like, I always ask my mentor - "Will you please be my mentor" And, the mentor must acknowledge that she or he will mentor you. Most formal mentoring programs have signed agreements. This is essential for a committed mentoring relationship.<br />
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The Indian youth are more confused than ever with a multitude of choice available to them. And there are many understanding counselors and mentors around to coach all of them. The high-end counselors are well trained by financially out of reach. Others are still stuck in traditional methods of testings and spoon-feeding options. Our generation wants to explore. They don't want to be told what to do. They just want us to narrow down the available choices into a few suitable ones and what they can offer them. This can only be achieved through one-on-one mentoring. It can be done in larger groups but some will slip through the crack like they do not. I believe NO ONE should be left behind.<br />
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I am still learning how to be a good mentor and how to motivate people to seek mentoring. Presently, I am trying to read books on Millennial Psychology. But, love to hear your ideas on coaching and mentoring so I can learn quicker. Do you feel differently than my thoughts? </div>
Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com0Singapore1.352083 103.819836000000010.8441055 103.174389 1.8600605 104.46528300000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-24104591855221270192019-06-02T04:16:00.000-07:002019-06-02T04:16:12.612-07:00Water, India, Mumbai...Future???<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Every day we read about the Water Crisis around the world. 2018 included news of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZmxEY6QoUY" target="_blank">Day 0 </a>(the day when a city or regions runs out of water) for Cape Town and our very own Shimla. We hear of farmer suicides across India - one of the main causes is lack of water for their crops (I know oversimplifying a complex issue). Our groundwater is at the lowest levels ever. Yet we are not seeing a comprehensive a water management or water conservation policy from the center or the states. But last week, we took a step in the right direction with a <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/govt-forms-jal-shakti-ministry-by-merging-water-resources-and-drinking-water-ministries/article27378402.ece" target="_blank">new ministery for Jal Shakti</a>. Hope at last India will look at its water resources holistically which is the desperate need of the hour.<br />
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I will be the first to admit; I don't conserve my water use. I try but I think I can do better. I let my son play in our shower for 15 - 20 minutes almost every day. But he is so happy when he is playing there. I believe we all deserve these simple pleasures. And we, Mumbaikars, can afford it if we manage our water resources better. We are blessed that we get ample rain each monsoon and we have the lakes to collect them. Moreover, most of the city is connected with a vast network of water distribution system. We might not realize most Indian cities don't even have that. Ask people in Bengaluru and Chennai (It makes me so mad that these "educated cities" don't have a system). Plus the quality of the clean water produced by our municipal corporation is <a href="https://thewire.in/environment/mumbai-clean-tap-water-bmc" target="_blank">world class</a> (our distribution pipes are a separate issue)<br />
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Mumbai is in a great geographical position to have a holistic and sustainable water supply program that can support generations. We get enough rain each monsoon to last us a year, which is better than most places in the world. We have enough lakes to store them. We are surrounded by an ocean which can also be a source of water. The city generates millions of liters of wastewater (sewer) that is now released into the oceans, which can be recycled. The monsoon within city limits generates lots of runoff which can also be collected to recharge our groundwater and/or treated for certain uses. Currently, we don't do any of this (or maybe in bits and parts). Lot of "activists" are fighting for parts of this or all of it. But I believe fighting is not the right way. We need to collaborate with all the stakeholders. My friends who have worked or have experience with BMC's water department tell me that they have smartest guys working there. I guess politics and other bureaucratic red hold them back. Also, building anything in our metropolis is a nightmare. We need to engage with them smartly and with patience to develop a holistic program.<br />
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Another side effect of a holistic water program is jobs. Water sectors can create lots of good paying (digital) jobs for the youth - be it in planning, construction, operations or maintenance. These jobs will also support adjacent markets which will be also digitally enabled like billing, customer supports, water analytics, smart water elements, etc and create jobs in them. Sorry, I digressed!<br />
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Right now, if we have money or power, we can get water in Mumbai. But if we keep doing nothing, a day will come when no amount of money or power will get anyone water. Nature does not discriminate. I would love to hear from all of you out there who would be kind enough to talk to or engage with me on this topic. With your help, I hope to make a contribution to Mumbai's water future. I have so much to learn but I have the energy (and knowledge) to make a difference. </div>
Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-25507853352228402062019-05-21T07:03:00.000-07:002019-05-21T07:23:37.345-07:00Back Home....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A lot has happened since I last wrote a blog post. Lost my rock, my dad to diabetes. I got married to a wonderful lady. Spent 5 years in the most amazing place in the world, Southern California, enjoying each other’s company and exploring the world. Then we had our amazing son; who is two now. Professionally, I grew a lot within Arcadis in Los Angeles. Was lucky enough to graduate with an MBA from UCLA and that too with no debt. But this post is not about all that. It is about my move back home to Bombay (Mumbai) among other things. <br /><br />It has been more than 6 months since we moved back. This move was three or so years in the making. My wife and I made a decision to leave our life in SoCal and move back home to with our family and be part of India growth story. To be truthful, I also wanted to make up for lost time. I missed being with my mom (and late dad) for 14 years. I missed being with and being their for my brother as he navigated through adult life without me. They never asked for my help but it's more my guilt.<br /><br />We could not have asked for a better start to our life here. But I am still struggling to find the sweet spot. The ideal smoothness and order i like, to be efficient in what i do. Don’t get me wrong I am very happy but there is something missing. I moved here with a great opportunity with Black & Veatch, starting there Water Planning & Asset Management practice in India. Rads found a fantastic startup style opportunity at Gateway Digital. And my son is enjoying the new place and extended family time. Most importantly he is in great health. <br /><br />I hope to keep writing more regularly on this blog. It is more me than for others. I feel i can express myself better when i write (or type in this case) than when I am speaking directly to someone. Plus i get clarity in my thoughts. Additionally, i want to share my experience moving back home. Many of my friends have asked me about it. Either just to know of my well being or they themselves want to make transition. I hope to write at least once in two weeks on topics about my transition (or our transition) like about my family life, my work experience, reconnecting with my friends, exploring other opportunities in India, etc.<br /><br />Another things I want to do with this platform is talk about the water crisis we face in India and across the world. I have had the opportunity to work in the field of public water and sanitation for more than a decade, learning from the best in the industry. Hope to share my 2 cent keep water in the forefront of people's’ mind and see if there are opportunities in India I can help with. <br /><br />So until my next post....</div>
Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com0Mumbai, Maharashtra, India19.0759837 72.87765590000003618.5957917 72.232208900000032 19.556175699999997 73.52310290000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-45423722363839841172009-10-11T07:19:00.001-07:002009-10-11T07:19:55.975-07:00Amazing Praha with great CzechsI wrote this when i was in Praha 2 weeks ago during my eurotrip but for got to post it.<br /><br />The reason for for my euro trip was to get know the country's culture and i got the with 35 km bike to karlsten castle from prague. My ride was hard. Changes in slope, losing my way, running out water, friends with cramps; i face every issue imaginable. I even had flat tire on one bike. But i fixed it. <br /><br />Anyways, the post is about the czechs. They helped my friends and i every time we were in trouble. Like a fellow cyclist who helped us get to a different to find part of the route. Like the lady in the middle of no where came out of her house to get us back on the right route when she saw that we were lost. Like the bartender who directed me to the next town because he did not have what we wanted. Like the restaurant owner and worker who helped us with some multivitamin drinks and a smile :-) <br /><br />All these czech people live outside of prague. They were so courteous. Always smiling. even if we did not speak the same language they understood me and helped me.<br /><br />I have come to like the czechs very fondly after my ride today. Cannot wait to experience even more of Prague and Ceska Republika tomorrow.Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-31013517010990758922009-07-31T08:35:00.000-07:002009-07-31T08:37:13.296-07:00Just a cab driver; but an amazing human being!It is funny how "not so well off" people end up giving so much and touch your help when you least expect them to.<br /><br />I was returning to the airport from my hotel in Denver last week. My hotel had called a super shuttle for me. It was bang on time. A normal looking black d00d came out and took my luggage. After placing in the booth of his van, he opened the rear door for me and i sat there in one of the seats. He silently then started driving to other hotels around downtown Denver to pick other passengers. He did not seem to find any. At his last pick up point, there were a lot of people and traffic but non for his van. I knew my hotel was fully booked for the weekend and this one seemed the same. I proceeded to ask him if there was a big event in Denver over the weekend and he told me there were several. This was start of a nice conversation with him.<br /><br />To make our conversation easier, he invited me to take the passenger seat next to him. I politely obliged as i love to ride shotgun. He told me he was originally from Ethiopia and his family had moved to the US sometime ago. I told him i had been to Ethiopia on my way to Mozambique to see my dad in 2001. He then telling me about his story about how he studied in Pune, India in the mid 1990s. I first thought he was bullshitting but certain details he told me about Pune only person who has been there can know. There is also a possibility that he could be well read. He accurattely mentioned exchange rates, cost of food and transport and places in Pune. He seemed a real nice guy but i saw what an amzing human being he was when we reached the airport. As we entered the airport, one women came to ask him how much it was to go downtown. He said 19$ per person. She said they were 4 people and instantly he told her that they should take a limousine cab instead since it will be cheaper for them. He lost $80 business on a slow day like Saturday. I thought he would expect nore tip from me but when i gave him a 3$ tip he gave me back 2$ saying 1$ was enough tip. Who in today,s world does that? He touched my heart with this gesture.<br /><br />I hope he gets all goodluck in the world and has a blessed life. I recommend anyone coming to denver use him if u need a ride from the airport and back. His name is Ben and email is <a href="mailto:bentess4@yahoo.com" target="_blank">bentess4@yahoo.com</a>.<br /><br />Thanks Ben for showing me that the world still has great people like you. In fact my whole trip to Denver has shown me what a group of people with a big heart can do to help the under priviledged in the world.Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-63723609853973685712009-04-07T10:46:00.003-07:002009-04-07T11:19:43.181-07:00iwillteachyoutoberich.comMy friend Sonal recently recommended to me this blog about personal finance for young people. It is called http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com. Sounds like a scam, doesn't it? At first i was skeptical too. Reading the blog and researching it over the web made me realise - this guy can really help me.<br /><br />The blog is written by a recent Stanford guy, <a href="http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/">Ramit Sethi</a>. Yes, he is of Indian decent. I think for me, this fact strengthened his genuineness :-)He also recently realised a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Will-Teach-You-Be-Rich/dp/0761147489">book</a> under the same name - I will teach you to be rich. I have bought that book.<br /><br />Personally, i think i am ok with personal finance. I am risk taker by nature.and I have been putting a lot of time into reading about it and learning. I have also taken some advice from a financial advisor for my investments. But I was having problems managing simple things. I needed a method to manage the zillions of accounts that i have currently. Yah, I have managed to do that like most young guys just out of schools. Most of these accounts are credit cards :-(.<br /><br />So, what i liked about his blog and book( i have partially read), are the tactics. The tactics are very helpful in making things easier to manage - Like automating my payments and transfers. It helped me change my focus from the small things that do nothing to improve my knowledge to things that i will help me enhance my financial and technical knowledge.<br /><br />I personally, think every young person should read the book at least once. I am sure everyone will get something out of it. There are some chapters of his book online, people can check that out too before buying it. <br /><br />I do not see book as be all end all of personal finance. As it says "personal finance", it is a personal thing. It depends on What do YOU want achieve in your life? I read many books, websites and listen to people and try to make an educated call and hope that i make the right decision.Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-36545342984629949822009-03-25T21:04:00.005-07:002019-10-20T07:57:13.432-07:00Do you support IPL moving outside the country or do you think that BCCI is being selfish at the cost of the country?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-style: italic;">NO IPL should stay in India! Will the English FA allow EPL to move outside the country if a similar situation arises???</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Its a tough situation because of the elections at the same time. Fear has been created amongst the players by the terrorism propaganda. I think we should reschedule it with lesser games and still play it in India..</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">- Arunshankar</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Its a sad thing that IPL had to be moved but its better to have it moved rather than cancel altogether.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">- Chinmay</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />BCCI is an extremely selfish organization. At some point it called the Indian Cricket team - Team BCCI. but it is shamelessly registered as a charitable trust and it bailed on the country even though the home minister personally asked them to reschedule...because some of the glitz would be lost due to non-availability of players.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">- Chakkravarthy</span><br />
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Before I start, let me make my stance clear - I am fine with the IPL moving overseas. My reasons, firstly, the games should not stop because our Government cannot provide protection to its people. We cannot give in to the terrorist who do not want anything good to happen in India (or Pakistan). Cricket is one thing that binds our whole country. Canceling any cricket event in India fearing a terrorist attack is doing exactly what they want us do - Stop living our lives. We cannot do that. We cannot give in. Whatever happens - Life must go on. My friend explains to me that I can talk this way because I have never been affected by a terrorist activity personally. He is correct. I agree it must be very very hard for the affected party to agree with me. I am sorry if i am hurting anyone. But we cannot stop living. People who have not been affected need to show that we are not afraid. We will not lie down. We will go on with our lives. We will enjoy it.<br />
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Secondly, as Chuck writes <span style="font-style: italic;">BCCI is being selfish. </span>He might be right. The owners do not want to lose money and so does IPL. IPL is one to the avenue in which India show that it is a power in the world that cannot be ignored anymore. It took Lalit Modi all of 3 days to move a tournament of this magnitude to another country. Countries were fighting to host the IPL season 2.<br />
BCCI has used all the loopholes available to it to create this behemoth called the IPL. So many young Indian cricketers have benefitted from it. A great example - Yusuf Pathan. He is more important to Team India than his brother, Irfan.<br />
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I just think IPL must stop for any reason. It could been curtailed and rescheduled, but they decided against it, but people did not want to the chance and make a loss in this tough economic times. Fair enough. This year it is in SA. I hope it is in India next year.</div>
Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-18376320440100689622009-03-16T14:42:00.003-07:002009-03-16T14:45:39.796-07:00Love After Love ..<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:13px;">My friend Munmun sent this today. I really liked it :-)<br /><br /><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0"><tbody><tr><td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><div align="left"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0"><tbody></tbody></table></div></td></tr><tr><td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><div align="left"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="20" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><br /></td><td valign="top" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;color:#800000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The time will come <br />when, with elation <br />you will greet yourself arriving <br />at your own door, in your own mirror <br />and each will smile at the other's welcome, <br /><br />and say, sit here. Eat. <br />You will love again the stranger who was your self.<br />Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart <br />to itself, to the stranger who has loved you <br /><br />all your life, whom you ignored <br />for another, who knows you by heart. <br />Take down the love letters from the bookshelf, <br /><br />the photographs, the desperate notes, <br />peel your own image from the mirror. <br />Sit. Feast on your life. <br /><br /><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Derek Walcott</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> </span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span>Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-44982122574076775432009-03-01T12:44:00.005-07:002009-03-01T13:50:05.851-07:00The World of my FoodMy love of cooking and enjoying it was reignited few night ago. On 25th Feb <a href="http://www.ignite-phoenix.org/2009/02/09/ignite-phoenix-3-check-out-the-amazing-submissions/">@ignitephx #3</a>, I heard<a href="http://www.crphotography.org/Site/Welcome.html"> Chanelle</a> speak about her passion for cooking and eating good food. I realised that in the past few months, i had lost my passion for cooking. It had forgotten how much fun it is to create something delicious and then enjoy eating it. She also emphasised that the food I eat must also look good because I am worth it. Thanks, <a href="http://www.crphotography.org/Site/Welcome.html">Chanelle</a> :-)<br /><br />Since then, I have started to cook more often and enjoy it again. I plan to share it all you guys - my friends. If you are in Phoenix, come and join me any time for some delicious homecooked food(call me first though). If you are not in Phoenix, i plan to put up some pictures every so often. The first ones are here on my new food blog: <a href="http://theworldofmyfood.blogspot.com/">The World of my Food</a>Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-25358349090251568012009-01-28T00:29:00.002-07:002009-01-28T01:40:20.151-07:00Visting South BombayYesterday, <a href="http://gdsouza.blogspot.com">Gordon</a> and I met near Regal Cinema (South Bombay). This was first chance to go to south Bombay after 26/11. My walk from CST station to Regal cinema did not feel any different. The same old crowded streets with people running around, street peddlers trying to sell their wares, cars honking, it felt like my same old Bombay to me. One change that i saw, was the metal detectors at CST station and more police presence. But, i did not feel any tension in the air. It seemed business as usual in south Bombay.<br /><br />Gordon suggested we have our lunch at Leopold Cafe. This is where all the mayhem started on the 26/11. I had never been to this cafe before. At first look, the place seemed like any other cafe in Bombay except there were more foreign customers than Indians. The bullet holes have not been repaired and apparently they wont be. I saw many people come to the cafe just to see these bullet holes. We were sitting next to a pillar which had a mark indicating that a bullet had brushed past it. The food was actually pretty good albiet expensive.<br />Again, i did not feel unsafe or threatened. The people around me also seemed to be relaxed and enjoying their food. So much for the people who have tried to strike fear in our hearts.<br /><br />We then walked towards the gateway of India around the Taj. I could see the renovation work going on on the Taj. It is very comendable of the TATA group to get the Taj Hotel, a symbol of Bombay, up running again in no time. As for the Gateway of India itself, it just the seemed the same old to me. We sat on the ledge near the water. From there i could see the people - tourists, couples, peddlers, friends and even the pigeons. Everyone was back and having a good time there. So did I.<br /><br />I do not know if this is Bombay's resilience or apathy. Being the person I am, i hope it is Bombay's never say die attitude that was on display. I did not feel unsafe in south Bombay even for a milli second. Thanks to all the people - the police, the commandos, the doctors, the media - everyone who helped Bombay and its people on the 26/11 and days ensuing it. God bless them all and their families.<br /><br />It is nice to back in Bombay and experience the things I love about my city - the food, the people, the train, the sea and everthing that makes Bombay the maximum city. No one person or group can change that.Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-71289492336354706612008-12-02T10:39:00.004-07:002008-12-03T08:53:54.657-07:00A piece of my mind on India's security solutionThe solution to our internal security is not simple. The responsibility of this situation is just not on the politicians and bureaucrats, but on the whole of India. - The people of India. <span style="font-size:100%;">I think we are as much responsible as </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">the politicians and bureaucrats are for this current pathetic situation. The following are the things that are the needs of the hour</span><span style="font-size:100%;">:</span><div><br /></div><div>Politicians</div><div><ol><li><span style="color:black;">Create a separate portfolio for Internal/Homeland Security. Have a really strong minister fo</span><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" >r it.</span><br /></li><li>Make a division in CBI, RAW etc solely for the purpose of the internal security. They will brief the union minister for homeland security.<br /></li><li><span style="color:black;">Each state has its own state minister for internal security. They are responsible for the security of the state</span><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" >s.</span><br /></li><li>Have highly trained commandos in all the major cities including tier 1 cities.<br /></li><li>Train the police to handle such terrorist attacks in the absence of the commandos. Also, train them to work under the commando when they are present. Provide all the equipment required to do the same.<br /></li><li>Make the hierarchy very clear.<br /></li><li>Take steps to reduce hunger and poverty. It is then when poor and hungry people will think about and help the country.<br /></li><li>Stop thinking about yourselves and think about the country. If you do that, promise you the country will take care of you.<br /></li></ol></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="">Bureaucrats:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""></p><ol><li>Stop being corrupt and execute the government’s plans correctly and effectively. Be more accountable. What will you do with your money if you are not alive to enjoy it?<br /></li><li>Stay connected with all the agencies and constantly evaluates and adapts to the changing security situations<br /></li><li>Support the police and other agencies rather being a hindrance.<br /></li></ol><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">People of India:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""></p><ol><li>First and foremost, go and vote for the right candidate every time, every election even the smallest local one<br /></li><li>Don’t say we did not vote since we did not have enough information. Seek information. The candidates are supposed to give us information. Ask the candidates for their views in local as well as national issues. Vote for any person who you think will do the best job even if he is not from a major party.<br /></li><li>Be vigilant. Report suspicious activities and do not take law into your own hands.<br /></li><li>Stop bribing to get a job done. If we don't bribe, the corruption will reduce and stop.<br /></li><li>We are one nation – so, we have to behave like that. When Mumbai is struck, the whole India should hurt. All the Indians around the world should hurt, as I am now and will be till we are safe.<br /></li><li>Get angry. Do something. Do anything. It does not have to be related to internal security or terrorism. Help more people overcome poverty. It is then when they will think about other issues facing them and India will get more help.</li></ol><p></p></div>Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-2651943230367989362008-11-20T11:20:00.003-07:002008-11-20T11:29:27.458-07:00The right developmentThis thought came to my mind today morning while riding to work. As countries like India, China and some African countries (in the future) start to develop, will they make the same mistakes that the currently developed countries made during their development. Will these countries and their future generation reinvent the wheel?<br /><br />I am speaking in terms of the environment. Will they use clean technologies or rather use old non environmentally friendly ones? Will these countries learn from other's mistakes. Will hybrid cars be a norm in these countries? Will they generate less non-biodegradable waste? Will they generate energy using clean sources?<br /><br />Who is responsible to see that these mistakes are not repeated? The Government, the people or the entrepreneurs?<br /><br />I wonder...ah?Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-61109353870389527062008-10-21T20:01:00.003-07:002008-10-21T20:35:01.603-07:00What a Irony!On a day when India is celebrating the successful completion of Stage 1 of conquering the moon, people are being beaten up and public property worth thousands of rupees is being burnt in Mumbai and its suburbs. What a contrast! But that is my India for you.<div><br /></div><div>On one side, people taking law into their own hands proclaiming that they are saving the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">marathi manoos </span>and hurting people from other parts of country to gain political mileage and on the other hand, 3000 people from all over India are working together to conquer one goal - the moon. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am sure, of the 3000 people, there is atleast one <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">marathi manoos. </span>Does he care that he belongs the different state than the others working with him? It must not even cross his mind that he is working with an Bihari or Tamilian. He can only see that all of them have a common goal - to put an Indian flag on the moon. He lives, works and shares his life with others without worrying about their origin. He cannot even think of hurting them. He might even love some of them.</div><div><br /></div><div>And there is the other who says he is the saviour for the Maharashtra. Save Maharashtra from whom, your own fellow countrymen? To add to that, he is not even the elected representative of the people of Maharashtra. This time he crossed the line by killing a student who had come to Mumbai to fulfill his dream, to give an exam which might have probably put food in his family's plate. He says the guy is taking marathi manoos's opportunity. You do not create opportunity for your people by killing others. You do it by creating more opportunities for both of them. Create circumtances and mechanisms so the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">marathi manoos</span> becomes better and beats the "outsider" by being better than him. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mumbai is India on a smaller scale and that is what that gives Mumbai its charm. That is what makes Mumbai - Mumbai. Mumbai has given me everything I have today and my ancestors are not even from this state. But I am a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">marathi manoos</span> and a proud one. The only thing Mumbai asked from me in return is tolerance; Tolerance for other Mumbaikars. It gave me my best friends - a Maharashtrian, a Gujarathi and a Roman Catholic. We do not care that we are all this. All we care about is that we are Mumbaikars and we all love Vada Pav and Paani Poori!</div><div><br /></div><div>To the people who are say that they are fighting for the<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> marathi manoos</span>, I say please fight for us. But not by hurting my brothers and sisters, but by fighting other evil and practices. Show us the way so that one day every <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">marathi manoos can </span>reach the moon on his own accord and merit. </div><div><br /></div>Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-15533414093803647822008-05-09T10:18:00.003-07:002008-05-09T10:28:40.002-07:00My 2 Cents on the IPLIPL = Indian Premier League. India's answer to the EPL (UK), NFL (USA) etc. I am sure there are zillions of articles/blogs on the web that gives its views on the IPL. This entry of mine came about because of another <a href="http://gdsouza.blogspot.com/2008/05/investing-in-ipl-whom-would-you-go-with.html">blog entry</a> by my friend<a href="http://gdsouza.blogspot.com/"> Gordon</a>.<br /><br />Gordon has an interesting and good analysis on the business strategies that various franchises owners in IPL are using.<br /><br />Anyways, this is how the franchise system works. It has been around the US (and other parts of the world for a long time). It all depends on why an individual owns a franchise. There can be various reasons -<br /><br />1. You loves the game so much that you want be involved in it. In this is the case, money comes secondary. You just want to win for yourself and for your team's fans. Once you start winning, more fans, more money. You will break even late but the profits (or losses) will be greater. I think Kolkata KnightRiders fall in this category. Other international examples - New York Yankees (Baseball), Dallas Mavericks(Basketball), Oakland Raiders (American Football). <span style="font-style: italic;">I must add Oakland has not won anything for a long time.</span><br /><br />2. You do it as an investment or business opportunity like the Rajasthan Royals. You will be a stable organisation. But, you will never be a New York Yankees in terms of revenue or huge fan base and fame. Eg: Arizona Diamondbacks (Baseball)<br /><br />3. Third Reason - You have too much money. Big Billionaires in the US own different sports franchises. Just because they do not know what to do with the extra cash, they buy these sports teams. These franchises perform indifferently depending on the people who actually run these teams. We will identify this kind of franchise in IPL in next few years.<br /><br />Personally, I am intrigued how this whole IPL system will turn out in India and in the lives of my fellow Indians. Sports in the US helps many people focus on something else other than their personal lives. Take time off and relax with family and friends. I hope IPL will provide the same type of avenue for us and people will use it for the right things.Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-17615843836243360632008-03-20T12:39:00.003-07:002008-03-20T12:53:25.113-07:00Update!Sorry for not updating the blog since my last entry from Dubai. Since then I have been home in India. It was so amazing to see my family and friends after 3 1/2 years. I spent most of my time in India with my family. Two important things I got done while I was back there were my H1B visa stamping and getting my parents and brother their respective visitors visa. They will come to US this year. Yipee! Rupesh-Poonam wedding was great. I met a lot of friends there and also some of my professors from <a href="http://www.vjti.ac.in/">VJTI</a><br /><br />It was sad to leave home but I knew i will see them soon in America. On my way back, I stopped at London and met my dear Munmun. It was fantastic to see her. We roamed around London for 2 days and It was so much fun. London is really picturesque city with lot of Victorian architecture. The London visit with Munmun will always be a special one for me.<br /><br />Back in Phoenix, I got back to work. I got a new job at <a href="http://www.pirnie.com/">Malcolm-Pirnie</a> as a Engineer (Grade 2). They also got my visa transferred and I am joining them on the 31st of March. I am so excited about this position. I cannot explain it. It just feels right. More about the job after I join. Till then...Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-23686307653845228222008-01-31T09:11:00.000-07:002008-01-31T09:12:18.086-07:00In Dubai…It is 8.30am local time in Dubai on the 24th of January 2008. My flight from London reached Dubai at 6.30am. It was still dark in Dubai so I could not see the structures below clearly. I was wondering if I would be able to see the palm tree and world map structures. But I did see a ship dumping sand probably to make more of these fascinating structures. We took a bus from our plane to the terminal as the new terminal is under construction. The airport seemed more crowded than Heathrow. I managed to get a calling card and called dad letting him know that my arrival in Bombay would be on time. This flight to Mumbai will be short one around 3 hours. So I am almost there :-)<br />As for the previous flight, the emirates service was exemplary and so were the air-hostess ;-) The dinner was really nice and the entertainment system was amazing. The only problem I felt was the seats seemed a little uncomfortable. I did not sleep on the flight at all. I chatted on and off with a lady next to me. She was going to Malaysia through Dubai (for a vacation). She was of a Bangladeshi origin but her family had settled in England for some time now. So she feels London is her home. I watched a couple of movies too – ‘Live free and Die Hard’ and the Hindi movie ‘Partner’. <br />Drinking my hot chocolate here, I think I am tired and I hope I do not go home and just sleep the rest of the day. I will try to get some sleep on this flight. Just hope I get my bags in Bombay and the customs go well.<br />Next Stop….Mumbai…..Home Sweet Home!Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-17732980134991284832008-01-31T09:09:00.000-07:002008-01-31T09:11:25.171-07:00In the Land of the Queen…I reached London around 1 hour ago. Flight was comfortable and empty. I had no one next to me on the flight so I could spread myself and get a nice sleep for a few hours - around 4-5 hours. Since I did not have any one next to me, I have no interesting conversations to report this time. Food was ok – Dinner and Breakfast. The entertainment system was real bad and did not work well. I watched the, starting of rush hour 3, middle part of transformers and end of the Simpsons movie. There was supposedly some glitch in their new system.<br />The highlight of the flight was the landing in London’s Heathrow Airport. The weather is cloudy here. As my Boeing 777 broke through the clouds, the most amazing sight appeared. Below me was London city with its Victorian style houses and lush green gardens. I saw a few football grounds, cricket pitches and I saw a stadium too, but could not tell to which London football club it belonged to. I realized that the cars were on the right side of the roadJ. The view was I think really peaceful. I cannot wait visit this place on my way back.<br />I called mom using a payphone here to let her know I am fine. I tried calling Munmun (who studies in the London school of Economics) but cannot seem manage to get the pay phone to call her. I must be doing something wrong. I will try again later.<br />My next connecting flight to Dubai is scheduled to leave at 8pm local time. So I have around 6 hours to waste here. I hope a book and some music will make the time fly. See you in Dubai then…..Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-28875401663824800662008-01-30T08:42:00.001-07:002008-01-30T08:43:30.391-07:00First Stop -- Chicago!After an hour long delay in Phoenix where I was sitting in the plane due to snow storm in Chicago, I reached O’Hare Airport around 30 minutes ago at 8.55pm local time. The flight was uneventful except that my cabin luggage just fit into the overhead storage of the McDonald Douglas S80. I do not know what I would done if it had not. I met a person (do not know his name) who sitting next to me. We did not converse for the first half. He was listening to music and I was reading. After the drinks were served, I tried to break the ice by asking him if he was from Chicago and thus started a nice conversation. He was management guy with a company which makes manufacturing tools. Our conversation ranged from his company, Boeing 787 (he knew a lot about aircraft manufacturing) , the financial market (he was an accountant by education), his fondness to golf and of course the Chicago Cubs. Alighting from the plane, I called my friends in Phoenix and parents in India and made sure that I called Nikunj in India. He wants me to call him from each airport I go to before I reach India. My hunger took me to food court there where I filled myself with Chinese food. There is queue of people outside the gate where my flight to London leaves from. I am going to check that out and also see where I need to give I-94 before Ieave the US. Till later……Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-40085940004637694732008-01-30T08:40:00.000-07:002008-01-30T08:41:55.219-07:001280 days hence…..I am writing this note from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport awaiting my flight to Chicago from where I will take flights back home to Bombay. Yipeee! I have been dreaming of this day for 3 ½ years now, since I came to ASU for do my masters’. Now, after a masters’, an internship and my first job, I can go back home to see my mom, pop and joo – my family. I cannot easily describe what I am feeling now. There is a real sense of excitement but there is also some apprehension about going back home. I have changed a lot in past 3 years and India has too. I just hope that I am still the same old venkat to my family that left India with big, ambitious and silly dreams. Everybody is real excited to see me in India and I am too. I think it has still not sunk in yet that I am actually going back home. It just feels like a dream. Like any other air trips have taken in the US in the past. But I am sure it will start sinking in when I board my flight from Chicago to London. I will blog again at O’Hare Airport……Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-31765518986399021992008-01-07T22:14:00.000-07:002008-01-17T14:48:54.290-07:00Have to be a genius to read "The World of my Own"?<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.criticsrant.com/bb/reading_level.aspx">Blog Readability Test</a>: I found this link from my friend, <a href="http://gdsouza.blogspot.com/">Max's PseudoForce blog</a>. I do not know how it works. The way this works is that you input the URL for your blog or Webpage ( it even works for a MySpace page) and it tell you the readability of the page. This is how "The World of my Own" fared:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.criticsrant.com/bb/reading_level.aspx"><img style="border: medium none ;" alt="cash advance" src="http://www.criticsrant.com/bb/readinglevel/img/genius.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Surprised? I was too. I do not have any rocket science on my blog nor does it have a great design. I cannot write a simple code for God's sakes. I do know what it means, but I think it is pretty cool. What do you guys say?<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-75019452107769368512007-12-28T09:27:00.000-07:002007-12-28T09:42:48.481-07:00Lead India....Amazing Video. Very inspiring. I pray i can lead India too someday in some capacity.<br /><object width="380" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A0M0EZ8T5J8&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A0M0EZ8T5J8&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="380" height="355"></embed></object>Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-61700224364150309212007-12-24T11:42:00.000-07:002007-12-24T11:50:05.994-07:00A heart warming story I read on Christmas Eve!I read this story on CNN today. It is really heart warming.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/12/24/youssif.surgery/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> How Youssif got his smile back<br /></span></span></a><span><br />Click on the above link to read the story.<br />God bless Youssif and his Doctor!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-48269295313387241932007-12-18T10:50:00.000-07:002007-12-28T09:41:18.627-07:00Once more....Once more - a beautiful song and video by one of favourite music artists - Martina Mcbride. <br /><br /><object width="380" height="480"><param name="movie" value="http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/embed/embedflv/swf/fop_embed.swf?id=v52351518&eID=1301797&pm=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/embed/embedflv/swf/fop_embed.swf?id=v52351518&eID=1301797&pm=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="380" height="480"></embed></object>Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10492007.post-20019022576357406932007-10-11T08:27:00.000-07:002007-10-11T09:37:52.339-07:00Indo-US nuclear deal - Good for India; but for others?Till yesterday, Indo-US nuclear deal had my full support. Knowing the energy woes in India and having experienced uninterrupted energy supply in the US, I could confidently say that nuclear deal will be big step towards India's energy security.<br /><br />Nuclear deal is good for India. OK! But, Does it affect other people around the world? This question never occured to till yesterday and I realised how selfish I had been while analysing this nuclear deal issue. Yesterday evening, My friend and I went to a free screening of a couple of environmental related feature films organised by the <a href="http://www.sierraclub.org/">Sierra Club</a>. One of the films (called Homeland) focussed on 5 remarkable native-american activists in 4 communities who are fighting to preserve their land and their culture against multinational corporations looking to extract the mineral wealth of their reservation.<br /><br />One of the reservations - The Navajo community in New Mexico, is very rich in Uranium reserves. It is one of the bigger known reserves of uranium in the US. In the past, there has been traditional mining of uranium in this area and the native-americans were used as labor to do it. No safety and health norms were followed then and the effects of which are still being felt in that community. After a lot of struggle by the local people, the uranium mining was stopped in the Navajo community in the 1960s. The mining had caused lung diseases in the community and there are still many suffering from it. After the <ahref="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Mile_Island_accident">3 Mile accident </a> in 1979, the nuclear industry slowed down in the US. The energy policy of the current Bush administration promised to revive it. So the Indo-Nuclear deal. So Why should we worry about this and what do we Indians have to do with these native-americans?<br /><br />Below are <a href="http://www.indianexpress.com/story/208405.html">some salient points </a>from the Indo-US nuclear deal:<br />1. Washington will support New Delhi develop strategic reserves of nuclear fuel to guard against future disruption of supply.<br /><br />2. In case of disruption, US and India will jointly convene a group of friendly supplier countries to include nations like Russia, France and the UK to pursue such measures to restore fuel supply.<br /><br />3. Both the countries agree to facilitate nuclear trade between themselves in the interest of respective industries and consumers.<br /><br />4. India and the US agree to transfer nuclear material, non-nuclear material, equipment and components.<br /><br />5. Any special fissionable material transferred under the agreement shall be low enriched uranium.<br /><br />6. Low enriched uranium can be transfered for use as fuel in reactor experiments and in reactors for conversion or fabrication<br /><br />In simple words, the above points mean India will have uninterrupted supply of Nuclear Fuel for its US-made nuclear reactors.<br /><br />Where will US get this uranium at the cheapest price?- From its own land and places like the Navajo Valley. The US administration had given approval to do solution mining of Uranium in the Navajo Land in 1990s. The local people have fought against this for more than a decade now. Though this method of Uranium mining is safer than the traditional ones, research has shown that this pollutes the ground water for ever. Small amounts of uranium is still left in the ground water which is used for solution mining of Uranium. This will affect the poor community of Navajo in drastic way and they might run out of safe water in a few year. The nuclear deal will make it more imperative that mining resume in the Navajo Vally.<br /><br />My point here is that India should find out where it is getting its uranium from. If we are getting the uranium from areas like the Navajo valley, India is directly responsible for the drastic effects of uranium mining on this community. That makes India no different from the US that attacked Iraq and Afghanistan for Oil without caring about the people there. They have affected the lives of millions of people just so that US can have its energy security and the oil-giants can make money. India is not attacking anybody but it is indirectly supporting the uranium mining. I am sure our Indian politicians have not thought about this nor do they care. But I think we should. India should never be - directly or indirectly - be responsible for any community getting affected anywhere in the world. <br /><br />US needs to get this deal through. It will create thousands of jobs in the US and will revive the ailing nuclear industry in the US. India can make sure that we get the uranium we want, from the place we want without having adverse effects on other peoples' lives<br /><br />I still support the deal. India will benefit a lot from it. But India has to make sure that the deal that will help us, does not affect others around the world like the Navajo community.Venkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068226779664014240noreply@blogger.com2