The Mo Ibrahim Foundation - Their role in Africa

A snippet about the Mo Ibrahim Foundation that is at the forefront of developing leadership capabilities in Africa. Exemplary work!

The Mo Ibrahim foundation was created by Dr. Mo Ibrahim, an entrepreneur in the telecom industry who sold his organization, Celtel for $3.4 billion in 2005 .

The aims of the foundation are :
1. Stimulate debate on good governance across sub Saharan Africa and the world
2. Provide objective criteria by which citizens can hold their governments to account
3. Recognize achievements in African leadership and provide a practical way in which leaders can build positive legacies on the African continent

The other major objectives of the foundation are to reduce poverty in Africa and support aspiring leaders of the continent through scholarships, guidance etc. The foundation is committed to governance issues in Africa as means of improving the quality of life on the continent. It believes that only good governance focused on issues like healthcare, education, environment and citizen rights will improve the socioeconomic life of the African people .

The foundation has instituted an “Ibrahim Prize” which awards African leaders who have governed as per the limits set by the constitution of their country and transferred power in a democratic way to a successor in the last three years. The prize provides an incentive to the chosen leader to continue as role models for good governance without any economic liability. The prize awards a sum of $5 million in the first year and then $200,000 for life. In a way it provides aspiring leaders an economic incentive to not indulge in corruption and bad governance. It also provides a high level of respect and recognition for the chosen leaders and provides them with a platform to reach out to the masses with their model visions.

In countries like Egypt and Tunisia, where democracy is just taking hold after years of dictatorship, it can be instrumental in providing a guiding path and role models for upcoming leaders.

Grim Picture: Chronic Poverty regions and Statewise distribution

It pains me a lot to put up this graphic as per a Rediff.com report (See link Below), but it is necessary for all of us to realise that India can never be a happy country at peace with itself if we have such widespread poverty and unhappiness. We need to much much much more....and as educated and reasonably prosperous Indians, it should be our responsibility as much as it is the responsibility of the governments.

(Just an added FYI: Most of the states doing well seem to have initiated some form of Market reforms creating opportunities for everyone)

Link:http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-why-people-remain-poor-in-india/20110620.htm

Retrenchment - Do's & Dont's using a Sample Transcript...

Scenario 1

Narrator: Now we will see the interaction between the HR manager Mr. Ritesh Sharan and the worker Mr. Shivshankar.

HR: Shiv!

Worker: Ji…

HR: Sit… Sit

Worker: The company has actually decided ki, all this manual process has to be done away with. Aaj kal market mein, iska koi value nahin hai. So the company has said that we will do total automation.

Worker: Hamara Kaam saab??

HR: See… I tried my level best to save all your jobs. But I was able to save only 100 jobs. 50 jobs are now going to be redundant.

Worker: Aap bol rahe ho ki hamara kaam chale jayegi?

HR: Listen to me first. Unfortunately looking at your old age, you are going to be one of the persons who have to go.

Worker: Ji… Mera beti hai ji… Marriage karvana hai uska.

HR: Company policy hai bhai. Hum kuch nahin kar saktha.

Worker: Yeh umar mein mein kya karoon.

HR: Thoda paisa dhenge thumko. Thu kuch kar le na us se. Problem kya hai usme.

Worker: Log mujhe kya kahenge…

HR: Mein kya karoon. Try kiya meine… 100 naukri bacha liya meine.

Worker: Ji... Mein apka pair pakadke pooch raha hoon

HR: Mera pair pakadke kya phaidha hai. Kuch kar nahin sakthe abhi. Abhi mujhe upar se thumare pass bol ne keliye bola, meine bol dhiya katham baath.

Worker: Hum bhooka bhaitenge ji... Yeh kya kar rahe ho aap.

Narrator: This scenario shows how retrenchment should not be done.

Scenario 2

HR: Hello Mr. Shiv

Worker: Hello Sir

HR: How are you?

Worker: Haan. I am fine.

HR: Please sit down.

Worker: No, its ok sir

HR: No no. I request you.

HR: See… I have something bad to tell you. I don’t have words to say this, but…. The company has finally decided, and you must have also known about this ki…. We are finally getting automated machinery into the company. And because of that, currently only 100 people are required.

Worker: Sir…

HR: Listen, Listen… I tried to save the jobs of everybody, but I have to do something about this as the machinery is also very costly. But I will make sure that no hurt comes to you.

Worker: Sir… Meri beti hai sir, shadi karne keliye. Mein kya karoon sir. Hamare pet mein kyun lath mar rahe ho sir aap. Mera family kya karega sir. Mein bhuka bhaitoon kya?

HR: Please sit down. I am not saying that this is not going to hurt you. But, jitna thumhe bura lag raha hai utna mujhe bhi bura lag raha hai. But I will promise you this much that the organization will do everything in its power to keep you well forever. Mathlab financially hum thume secure kar dhenge. Relax… Relax.

Worker: Mera family mar jayega. Kahan Jayenge hum. Ky Karenge. Humare baare mein soj lijeye sir.

HR: I will finally tell you now... see what we have decided that we are going to do is that, we will make sure that financially aap secure ho jayenge. There is not going to be a severance of relationship between you and us. You might not come to work, but you are always going to be there. You are a part of the organization. We will make sure that you get a good severance package. Agar aap kahin aur kaam karma chaahthe the… then we can give a few references for you. You can actually go to these places and if they have a requirement they will definitely take you. Because they know that you are a capable worker. We will not shirk our responsibility. We will definitely give you a reference, agar aap kaam karma chaahthe the tho. If you want to start something new, we will give you a short term loan so that if you want to start a shop or if you want to go back to your village and do farming. You must understand that the organization is doing everything in its power to help you. You also have to show strength now and fight it out. We will be there with you side by side. Aap shop start kar sakthe hai, farming kar sakthe hai ya kisi aur company mein jaake kaam kar sakthe hai and we will make sure that financial problems will not be there with a good severance package. Aapko training bhi dhe dhethein.

Worker: I can understand that, the organization also does not need so many people now. Some people have to go. Lekin humko madhath chahiye. Hum akele isko face nahin kar paenge.

HR: Mein aapko pura madhath karoonga. Aapka bread winner ki status bhi rahega. Aap apna dhukhan shuru kijiye mein aapko help karoonga. Aap apna sar ooncha kar ke ji sakthe hai.

Worker: Theek hai sir. Theek hai.

HR: You will always be in our hearts. We know that you have worked very long and very hard in this organization. And we will make sure that you always get the benefits of the organization.

Worker: Thank you sir.

Narrator: This scenario shows how retrenchment might be done.

Rivalry between India & Pakistan; A perspective on the Indian Subcontinent and a South East Asian Union

If I ever get the opportunity to speak to Dr Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India, my first question would be a very simple one and something people have been asking for close to 5 decades, though i am aware that the answer is going to be extremely difficult - How does he intend to solve the Kashmir dispute with Pakistan and further promote peace in the Indian subcontinent. Additionally, can India take the lead in creating a South East Asian Union on the lines of the European Union comprising of Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh and India?

The cost of this military engagement has been very high for both India and Pakistan; socially and economically and has also started involving the neighboring countries in this conflict. Thousands of lives have been lost on both sides and there has been a huge expenditure incurred on maintaining standing armies; a cost which should be considered reprehensible particularly when we are struggling to provide basic sustenance to a large population in India. Further we have not been able to have a good economic bloc in the subcontinent where we can have proper trade and commerce with our neighbours.

Kashmir today has a very low economic capability since no organization wants to set up offices there fearing attacks from terrorists. Tourism, which before 1989 was one of the most important sources of livelihood has dwindled considerably, providing a lot of hardships to the local people. Obviously this has led to a large unemployed group, many of whom have started joining fundamentalist groups to create trouble across India, Pakistan & Afghanistan. Another major problem that has cropped up because of this conflict is the fanning by extremists of the religious intolerance which is leading to doubts being sown amongst various religions in existence in the subcontinent, particularly between Hinduism and Islam. There have been recent surveys where it has been shown that this suspicion is slowly making lives for Indian Muslims hasher and that their economic development indicators has dropped significantly compared to others. This is causing resentment amongst the people. This has also started affecting other countries in the region and makes it a dangerous cycle.

It also makes other countries have to choose between warring nations and this puts policy making on a knife edge; something that was clear during the last 5 years in Bangladesh where a pro Pakistan government had largely reduced trade with India. Today after the elections, it has again gone up after a government change. These changes are definitely not favourable for the common people in the subcontinent. We can only imagine the number of opportunities that would become available to entrepreneurs in all countries to reach out the nearly 2 billion people this South Asian bloc, most of whom are in need of goods and services to improve their quality of life. There are so many jobs that will be created if there is a continuity of trade leading to economic upliftment for all while at the same time removing the chance of having a nuclear war in the most militarized zone in the world.

Aman ki Aasha - An initiative of The Times of India Group & The Jang Group of Pakistan (Part II)

This is the second of the videos that i have seen today and this is even better in its portrayal of the sense of longing between the peoples of these 2 nations to achieve peace. It also features the music of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, someone who has become one of my all time favourite singers in Bollywood.

Aman ki Asha is a great start by the biggest media house in each country and would definitely help in furthering the cause of bringing stability to this region. More details and news reports are available on the TOI website 'Aman Ki Asha' and the Geo TV website 'Aman Ki Asha'. There is also a Facebook page to keep tabs on all events.

Aman ki Aasha - An initiative of The Times of India Group & The Jang Group of Pakistan (Part I)

I chanced upon this brilliant video (Song sung by Shankar Mahadevan)about an Initiative called 'Aman ki Asha' which talks about brotherhood between Indians and Pakistanis. It shows us how much similarity exists between us and how we should never let that go away. True, there are massive problems between us but some start needs to be taken and nurtured. And this seems to be a good one at that...

Everyone who wishes to see peace and happiness in India and Pakistan - and in the larger context, the world - should support this initiative. It is a great start by the biggest media house in each country and would definitely help in furthering the cause of bringing stability to this region. More details and news reports are available on the TOI website 'Aman Ki Asha' and the Geo TV website 'Aman Ki Asha'. There is also a Facebook page to keep tabs on all events.

Beautiful Pictures

One of my friends while forwarding the pics said "It seems as if one has already lived and then betrayed each and every part of it."

Commitment


Sorrow


Innocence


Departure


Pain


Solitude


Passion


Respect


Compassion


Grace



Friendship


Music


Wait


Stranger


Rescued


Best friends

The Mask

At a certain point of time in the past, this blog used to be anonymous. This was like my personal diary where my sorrow would be buried, stored for posterity...memories that i want to banish from my head but am unable to do so. It helped me to sort the mental files when i was writing, probably because i could reflect somewhat and try and understand the plethora of thoughts and emotions that go through my head at any given point of time.

I am unable to share sorrow with anyone. Its very difficult for me to really tell what i am feeling when i am down in the dumps. The overriding story is easily told, but the emotions are not there. I hate it when people try to give me company during these times. Loneliness is the only option for me. It might work or might not but at least gives me the time to conjure the emotions that i feel will be acceptable to others or at least not make them uncomfortable.

The problem with me is that i am overly optimistic coupled with the fact that i feel that if i keep fighting - even for a lost cause - i might some how will be able to win the battle. I have realised that a lot of times my suffering has intensified because of the same reasons but this is one philosophy that i don't want to change. If a situation is bad, i will always hope that things are going to be good. If i am not able to achieve something in the first try, i will keep on trying till i am really exhausted. If a person tells me no, i will try to find out the reasons for saying so and try and change the situation and or change myself to achieve a favourable response, if the person is really important to me.

These days i am trying to come out into the open with my emotions and not act but be myself. I have been accused of - in jest probably - of either being the court jester or someone who cares a damn. Most of the occasions, i was actually happy with that outcome because it was me the actor, who wanted everyone to believe that and everyone did. I will not go into the right or wrong of this but at least it made some people smile at my antics. This article in the blog is a reflection of that change. I am not sure this is the right decision but at least it is a decision. However, let me make this absolutely clear. My emotions are my own and no one has any right on even a single part of it except the ones closest to me. The only people who have seen a reflection of my true side are those that i have been vulnerable to, the people that mean a lot to me and the people that i love - even though they might not reciprocate.

If i am removing my mask, its because i want to do it - for the time being.

Reclaim Your Life (Part 1)...Start of the guilt trip!

The first ad of the Dicor series....It has always made me wonder whether there are people like me who feel helpless everyday and are still not able to do anything about it. Why cant we just walk away and follow our dreams...won't we be happier then....and make everyone else happier!!

Reclaim Your Life (Part 2)...What an Ad...What an Inspiration!!

This advertisement just means everything that is defined by "Institutionalization"....something against which i am going to fight tooth and nail all my life....

The urge to break out and the courage to follow dreams...hopefully will keep me from becoming part of the scrapyard of Satisfaction!!

Life goes by without you knowing, Can you feel it pass you by...Reclaim you life!

“This house will pop the pill and party”

Debate on relations between India and Pakistan becoming stronger...

Definition: The bond between the nations of India and Pakistan will develop only when we have swallowed the possibly bitter pill of Love and Brotherhood for Pakistan and its somewhat crazy leadership. This swallowing of the bitter pill will create history for the Parliament and enable the nations to enjoy their lives once more without the fear of death and destruction in their lives.

Logical Link: Imbibing love for the people across the border is important for the happiness of the generations to come.

Case Statement: The Pill of Love and Brotherhood will be swallowed by the Indian Parliament with respect to Pakistan and entire generations to come will enjoy in this revelry.

Limiting Context: In this debate we are only looking at the value of ‘Having love for thy neighbour’ and not at how we develop that love and brotherhood. We are looking only at how this bond will be helpful in this context and not at how we get there.

Burden of the Proposition: As the leader of the house I feel that a direction in this regard needs to be taken. Only after there is bonhomie between the two nations that we will really prosper and shine together as brothers rather than two separate subdued yet simmering individuals. I just want to prove that once we are close there is nothing in this world that can stop this juggernaut from rolling in the right direction.

Team Split: The debate will entail the following
• What do we mean as the pill of Love?
• What are the ways this bond is going to help us become the preeminent powers in the world?
• What should we guard against?
• How our Generations to come are going to enjoy the Fruits of this brotherhood?

Constructive Arguments: The nations of the world will bow in front of us. We will be more powerful against any power that shakes us. The respect and admiration of the world will be upon us. We will have the power to stop the entire Middle East from ripping itself out. Together, we will make them realize the futility of it all. Indians are friends of Jews, Pakistan is friends with Arabs. We will make them see reason. The world will not talk about war for a very long time as once this conflict is over; the world will see that if the greatest opponents in this world can come close together, petty disputes are not even worth talking about. Our children will be happy in the sunshine again. They will be able to play together and grow up together which in due course will remove any bitter memories of the past. Just for one moment think about the collective power of Shohaib and Sachin, the power of Hinduism and Islam, the Collective power of the Indian Subcontinent. Ladies and Gentlemen Kashmir will be whole again. Our Kashmir will be heaven again. Bharat will be one again. Jai Hind.