Your Military Too Goes Through This

Is Military a different breed?

Courtesy: Brigadier(Retired) Mastinder Singh, Sena Medal, and his Network.

Revamping / Customization of RWA Sector 33

General

Sector 33 is maintained by Noida as per their plan(s). RWA Sector 33 enjoins it on the concept of ‘Bhagidari’ by providing faithful inputs to the Noida administration for general welfare of its residents as per the Sector Bye laws.

Sector 33 has a number of Pockets. Blocks A, B and C like other Pockets in the Sector are not linked. It therefore does not render itself into a cohesive Sector in various ways. We need to customize our RWA Working accordingly.

It is felt that Central Control should remain with the elected RWA MC. However, routine operations can be decentralized and delegated to the Blocks. Community Centre should continue to be managed by the RWA MC; being a major source of earnings for welfare activities of the Community.

Changes proposed in our routine operational methods are enumerated in the succeeding paras. These could be discussed widely, modified and adopted by the GBM if found suitable.

Customized Delivery to the Blocks of Sector 33

1. RWA to be managed as per the approved Bye laws. Community Centre to be exclusively managed by the RWA 33 MC whereas routine RWA activities be decentralized and bifurcated Block-wise.

2. A, B and C Blocks be seen as indep entities within the RWA, and managed as such.

3. The Blocks could have different Membership Fee structure, minimum being Rs 1800 per year as of now. This would help the Blocks in adding / maintaining enhanced service facilities in their Blocks at their own costs, if they so like.

4. 30% of the Blocks' Membership Fee in this arrangement/system can given to the RWA for common use, balance 70% could be kept with the Blocks for use within their Blocks, as laid down by Us in the Bye laws for other Societies in the Sector like NTPC, Rail Vihar, Vidhalaya Sanghthan.. This would also help in ‘right’ application of the Funds within the Blocks.

5. 70% Membership Funds be applied and accounted for by the RWA MC Members of the respective Blocks (ie 3-4 elected Members of the Blocks already elected for the RWA MC). This will strengthen ‘goodwill’ amongst residents and would reduce routine bickering. We have enough ‘social activists’ in the Blocks/Sector. These could help the Blocks.

6. Fee collected from Reddiwalas, Signage/Hoardings, Tent Walas, Exhibitions/Show/Display Stands, Training Classes in the Community Centre, etc, be judiciously handled and accounted for by the RWA MC in a transparent manner and in full knowledge of the GBM.

7. RWA should work on a concept of ‘Urban Panchayats’ for general welfare of the Community incl dispute resolution, etc.

8. Residents Social Responsibility (RSR) in the Sector, discussed elsewhere on this Blog, should be strengthened for quality delivery. All of Us individually can reach Noida Services directly.

Conclusion

These are some of the thoughts to help revamp RWA Sector 33. These could be discussed and adopted with majority approval in the GBM.

We just need to be honest and transparent in our delivery.

Sukhwindar

Consolidated FDI Policy India, Effective 01 Apr 2010

FDI in Defence Industry is permissible up to 26%, under Government route subject to Industrial license under the Industries (Development & Regulation) Act 1951 and the following conditions:

Licence applications will be considered and licences given by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, in consultation with Ministry of Defence.

Cases involving FDI will be considered by the FIPB and licences given by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion in consultation with Ministry of Defence.

The applicant should be an Indian company / partnership firm.

Government decision on applications to FIPB for FDI in defence industry sector will be normally communicated within a time frame of 10 weeks from the date of ack.

Consolidated FDI Policy India, 2010

Svipja Technologies

Crux of the Homeland Security Problem

"Terrorists, Divisive Forces and Naxals are on the prowl fomenting violence by exploiting and intimidating the poor and 'have-nots' and more particularly the tribal people," perspective shared by Home Minister P Chidambaram in Puducherry PCC Meeting on Apr 10, 2010.

This is the crux of our Homeland Security problem.

Coupled with Corruption and bad Governance, it becomes deadly to the Idea of India.

We must all, at least the Govt. Machinery including 'neutral security experts', move in unison on the issue w/o trying to score individual points, and partake in blame-game of any kind.

Svipja Technologies
http://www.svipja.com/

Corruption, Governance, and Maoists

A number of ‘national debate(s)’ on the Maoists have been orchestrated in media in last few days, post massacre of our CRPF Men. Unfortunately these are laced with petty party politics, and ‘cover-up syndrome’. We should get clear of it. We need to answer the following:

1. Is Maoist Movement indigenous, or sponsored and funded by Agencies interested in destabilizing India?

2. Have we provided ‘breeding ground’ for this movement with utter neglect of the development of the Regions?

3. Factors like Governance and Corruption are to be simultaneously tackled. How much discontent or disharmony these spread in our routine social lives? Are we really able to reach ‘Idea of India’ through mis-governance and corrupt practices?

4. Are the killings by Maoists purely their operational objective, abetted and supported by nations/agencies inimical to India, or just a ‘revenge’ of the sort? We need not support killings by Maoists , but see the reasons clearly to chart long-term strategy.

5. Are we reaching-out to our countrymen, the Maoists, shedding our ‘State Ego’? We have build expertise since Independence in alienating our communities somehow.

6. We must answer, how much ‘personal stake’ we have in such-like field operations?

------------------ And Much More.

Finally, are our PMFs designed to tackle ‘self-motivated’ insurgent groups? We have models at hand like NSG, RRs, Assam Rifles, etc, to emulate for CRPF too. Develop them into a hard-hitting independent force with all arms & services suitably integrated. No sacrifices or investments are very heavy to make the ‘Idea of India’ flourish. But, let Us not create more Maoists or Terrorists in the process.

‘Development of the Regions’ and ‘Punishing the Maoists’ need to be concurrent elements in our strategy.

We have the desired expertise to develop a customized Homeland Security Mechanism. We just need to focus, and be honest to ourselves.

Svipja Technologies

DRDO Launches Aero Programmes With Civil Industry

Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), HQ Bangalore, a DRDO lab, is the nodal agency to spearhead Rs 100 Crores initiative to fund R&D projects in the area of gas turbines. Under this venture, aero R&D projects for investments of Rs 50 lakhs to Rs 5 Crores would be considered for funding. Rs 78 Crores have already been sanctioned. GRTE would support 40 to 45 such projects.

The initiative is expected to fuel "coherent directed research" in the area of gas turbines, DRDO said.

DRDOs Approach takes into account futuristic national programmes. It would support, encourage, nurture, monitor and exploit the design, research, development and manufacturing capability of academic institutions and R&D establishments, industries and other think tanks to carry out frontline work in bringing out next generation gas turbine engine system.

The programme envisages participation of 100 R&D Centres and 1,000 scientists, engineers and technicians.

High-Tech MSMEs should come forward to join the programme.

Svipja Technologies

‘State Ego’ in a Democracy

India has fissiparous tendencies. In such a situation, to propagate and maintain the ‘Idea of India’ assumes special significance. It is not the aim to go into details of this hypothesis at this stage.

This makes the Government exert its will on its citizens in the process of Governance. This aspect may have been rooted in our psyche because of hundreds of years of foreign occupation of our land. If the Democracy is ‘for the people’ and ‘by the people, our Governance philosophy ought to be citizen-friendly.

We must refrain from tit-for-tat policy and instead take a conciliatory approach for any conflict resolution with our citizens; conflict need not always be met by force. Is it the ‘State Ego’ in its unpleasant form that tends to create situations leading to insurgency or terrorism? We need to mull over it as a democracy. Of course, all this is to be within our Constitution.

Our Leaders should not stand on ‘State or Personal ego’. Get on the table earliest through Track 1, 2, ---- n, methods. That creates a win-win.

Sukhwindar
Svipja Technologies

CRPF Men 'Shot Dead' by Maoists in Chhatisgarh

It is difficult to comprehend loss of over 70 CRPF Men to the Maoists in Chhatisgarh without any casualty to them. There is no flaw in planning LRP Operations continuously for four days by a sub-unit. LRPs are known to go far beyond four days. Execution of the operations and ‘Conduct of the Company in the LRP’ needs to be put under scrutiny if we have to avoid such 'massacre' in future.

Let ‘truth’ be known to the Planners!

It is distressing to hear ‘mass killings’ of uniformed personnel in the Operations. No ‘plain’ reasons stand to justify the incident. No ‘cover-up’ are to be encouraged.

Sukhwindar
Svipja Technologies

Svipja Civil-Military Relations (CMR) Chair

Some excerpts from the Article of Lt General Vijay Oberoi, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, Former VCOAS, are given below which have CMR Implications in the Indian Context:

“The deteriorating civil-military relations do not bode well for the safety and security of the nation. And the regional security environment is cause for concern. The status of army personnel is dwindling continuously, adversely affecting the morale of the rank and file.”

“In democracies the world over, the political leadership makes national policy and the national security strategy, with the active participation of civil and military officials of the country. However, in India, the military has been deliberately kept out of the policy formulation loop and even after over six decades of loyal, patriotic and dedicated service to the nation, it is obvious that it is still not trusted!”

“The military also needs to modify the concept of being apolitical. The army’s long standing stance of keeping a distance from the leaders of political parties other than those of the party in power needs to be modified. In a parliamentary system like ours, policy is formulated by all parliamentarians despite differences of the opposition. After all, the Parliament Standing Committee on Defence and similar other committees are all-party bodies. Consequently, though remaining apolitical, the army needs to apprise and discuss its concerns with the political leadership across the board. This would not reduce the apolitical nature of the army, about which it is justifiably so proud.”

“Civil Control implies the supremacy of the political leadership over both the military as well as the civil bureaucracy.”

Click: Challenges Before the New Army Chief for the full Article.

Svipja CMR Chair

National Security and Civil-Military Relations

One of the cornerstones of a democracy is a healthy civil-military relationship (CMR). India stands out as a success story in civil-military relations amongst developing nations of the world. The nation and its military are rightfully proud of it. We need to maintain this right ‘balance’.

Should the discourse on civil-military relations remain confined to the facts that in our country there have never been open criticism of the government’s policies on military affairs, never any combat refusal, or anything like a threat of military takeover? Unfortunately, most of our experts and the media are content to focus on the presence or absence of civilian control, politicisation, military discontent and discipline as the only considerations worthy of attention. Little attention is paid to the dynamics of politico-military strategies and civil-military discourse and its impact on military capabilities, and doctrines to safe-guard security of our nation.

Article of General (Retired) VP Malik, PVSM, AVSM, Former COAS, in The Tribute recently covers certain aspects of National Security and related issues.

Click: Beyond Narrow Boundaries

Sukhwindar

India's Think Tanks

Firstly, Think Tanks should in the normal course aim to influence targeted audience for getting their ‘mind share’. It should take a ‘systems approach’ to an issue with the ultimate objective of sound implementation to achieve the desired outcome. It is not correct to say that the Policy Makers or Others may not ‘heed to the advice, or may not be influenced’ by the Think Tanks. It does in a way. If not, these are not Think Tanks then - their research results may be ‘tainted’, not in line with the democratic values, or totally out of context. Think Tanks need not work in ‘vacuum’ of any kind and should relate to the existing or future course(s). That much for the concept.

Secondly, Think Tanks need to be staffed with practicing managers/researchers and academia of the right kind to tackle real-life situations, and not be pure ‘philosophic’. These should relate to our ‘own’ environments. This would help in looking at their findings from ‘Policy Angle(s)’. Who funds it may not be very important in today’s intellectual scenario; system sees it through and places credibility on the Think Tanks accordingly. There may be hundreds of them but a few are creditworthy.

Thirdly, the subject matter to be tackled could take the form of a 'Chair’, for long life. The Chair could be established in Corporates, Universities, Foundations, etc, provided they operate under the Charter of Think Tanks. Intellect is widely dispersed.

Mr Kanti Bajpai’s Article in today’s TOI on ‘ Think Tanks in India’s Democracy’ puts the subject issue in a perspective, but the 'common notion'.

Click: Think Tanks in Democracy

'Svipja Civil-Military Relations (CMR) Chair' be seen in this context, a faithful delivery to the Indian Democracy and its People in CMR.

Svipja Technologies

Launch of ‘Svipja Civil- Military Relations Chair’

General

“Svipja Civil- Military Relations Chair” (or ‘Chair’, for short) has been set-up by Svipja Technologies with a view to harness Ideas from Intellectual Defence Community to promote Civil-Military Relations in India. Views from the International Community will also be welcome.

This work is needed in order to raise intellectual capital of the stakeholders in line with the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution. It would help reinforcing democratic values in the Defence Community with Military Ethos intact.

Objectives

The establishment of the Chair and Fellowships is expected to:

1. Promote healthy and meaningful exchange of ideas amongst the intellectual Defence Community on civil-military relations in the Indian Context.

2. Facilitate wider, deeper, and un-biased discussions / interactions amongst the intellectual Community, and Faculty / Moderator(s) appointed against the Chair or as Fellows, in particular.

Terms and Conditions

The creation and operation of the Chair and Fellowships will be subject to the terms enumerated in the succeeding paras.

Methodology Research work on the subject will be undertaken by a Team constituted by Svipja Technologies within the Objectives laid. Certain identified Blogs / Sites will be used to initiate discussions amongst the stakeholders. Once done, ‘finished product’ would be circulated to the stakeholders, and published in a transparent manner.

Donor(s) Svipja Technologies will meet all the expenses of the Chair as a Founder.

Founder Fellowship Brigadier (Retired) Sukhwindar Singh will be the first faculty against the Chair.

Guidelines for “Appointment” of Faculty Against the Chair To be approved by the Board of Governors established by Svipja Technologies / Trusts / Donors.

Eligibility Anyone with a track record in defence with independent, impartial & sound logical abilities would be eligible to be considered for “appointment” against the Chair. Individual(s) being considered would first be appointed as Moderator(s). The Chair has a Think Tank’s charter.

Duration of the Chair The “appointment” against the Chair will be made for a period of up to five years. However, continuation into the fourth and fifth years will be subject to a review at the end of the third year. Further, an individual may be eligible to be considered for re-appointment, together with other eligible candidates, for a period of up to 5 years (without a break) any number of times.

Designation Member(s) appointed against the Chair will be called “Svipja Civil-Military Relations Chair Emeritus Research Fellow / Research Fellow / Research Associate Fellow”.

Research Grant To be assigned by Svipja Technologies on need basis as the faculty / work expands.

Intellectual Property (IP) Rights As a result of the “appointment” against the Chair, there shall be no change in the rights applicable to the IP developed by the researchers / faculty members and/or his/her collaborators.

Strategic Alliance(s) Svipja Technologies would be willing to establish strategic alliance(s) with like-minded bodies.

Research Presentations Research Articles will be published on Media/Sites/Blogs identified for the purpose. In addition, as a result of the “appointment” against the Chair, the faculty would be expected to undertake Presentations of the research findings of the Chair to various targeted audience, organizations and institutions.

Conclusion

This work would enhance intellectual capital of the stakeholders for security of the country in environments unfolding in the 21st Century India. Dynamics of the Civil-Military relations needs to be captured routinely in the Indian Polity.

All Veterans are welcome to contribute their thoughts.

Sukhwindar

www.svipja.com

Civil-Military Relations: Why are These More Important in a Democracy?

There is a ‘rooted’ tendency amongst Us to narrow Civil-Military Relations to IAS-Military Top Brass. In wider sense it in fact relates to who governs the Country, Civil or Military leadership?

Civil is all encompassing - politicians, civil bureaucracy including allied civil services, police, State machinery, civil offices providing services like supplies, power, water, teles, transportation, roads, etc. Military and its personnel deal at various levels of ‘civil governance’ in official and personal capacities. Any aberrations to military personnel while on duty, off duty, or at home leaves them frustrated if not handled well. Military has expectations to be governed / handled diligently and in an orderly fashion. It is here that a soldier ‘grumbles’ when he is ‘towed’ to follow ethos alien to him.

First damage to civil-military relation stems when a soldier is handled shabbily, dishonestly, or indifferently in the Civil. And this could multiply manifold as he moves through his ‘life cycle’. In his frustration, he then uses ‘force’, the only ‘expertise’ developed in him to reach his objective, at least temporarily, willing to face its consequences subsequently.

Any nation has to be sensitive not to bruise soldiers’ pride in day-to-day interactions. Self-Pride, Self-Respect, Self-Reliance, High-Class Motivation, Professionalism, Ability to Lead by Example, etc are his inherent strengths. Any act that tends to lower it is damaging to the Forces, and Nation as a whole. Anyone including Armed Forces Leadership hurting/undermining these basic traits in any manner is doing disservice to the Nation as it may result in ‘mass grouse’, sometimes difficult to be handled by leadership. That’s why the Armed Forces handle cases of bad management, indiscipline or corruption strictly.

‘All Civil Institutions’ need to fully appreciate it in a democracy like India, where ‘ethos & personal examples’ tend to become casualty.

A Soldier is a Class by Itself and Should be treated as Such. He is then ‘fit’ to deliver optimally ensuring Your Freedom.

We are an established democracy now, it is time that we talked and discussed Civil-Military Relations openly, and organised ourselves on 'Systems Approach' both in thinking and action.


Sukhwindar
Svipja Technologies
[It is a stub, could be expanded to a full Article by some Researcher(s)]

Second Eye in the Sky

India will receive another Israeli-made Phalcon Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) today, giving it the second 'eye in the sky' for enhanced surveillance.

The second AWACS will arrive in Jamnagar in Gujarat and will be based in Agra.

With the arrival of the second AWACS, officials said the IAF can keep an eye on both the Eastern and Western Fronts.After the induction of the third system, India would be able to virtually cover the whole nation at one go.

The system, primarily used for detection of incoming hostile cruise missiles and aircraft from hundreds of kms away, can also direct air defence fighters during combat operations against enemy jets. It also helps detect troop build up across the borders.

Svipja Technologies
Credit: PTI.

We 'Owe' Them Too !

(Tele No. 1098 is not accessible. You could contact Sandeep at 98182 70305)

We have 'kept' their parents/them illiterate and thus poor. Haven't paid them well, neither looked after them.

We have remained 'self-serving' , and 'selfish'. How long will it go? Let it NOT be very late! Share Your 'namak' with them if You Care.

'White Lies', 'Greed', 'Dishonesty' and 'Corruption' are taking the toll. We must get our Spiritual Learning right, whichever vocation we are.

Appeal Credit: Sandeep Budhiraja, Sector 33, Noida.

An Attitude

Courtesy: Mohinder S Saundh, IIT, Kharagpur, Sweden.

You Are Blessed !

Courtesy: Harpal Grewal

Jama Masjid Mosque, New Delhi, Built 1650-58

Sukhwindar
Courtesy: Sandeep Budhiraja, Sector 33.

Happy Holi !

Creativity in Adolf Hitler

These drawings and watercolours are the childish attempts of a want-to-be-artist, Adolf Hitler. He was dreaming of attending courses at the Academy of Belle Arts in Vienna. Unfortunately, they did not accept him at the Academy. If they had accepted him, the world would have definitely been different today …

Courtesy: Mohinder Singh Saundh, IITK, Sweden.

Def Expo 2010: ‘Self-Respect’ comes from ‘Self-Reliance’

(Moderator: Noida Industry Must Take Advantage of the Defence Procurement Policy, and the Govts Indigenisation Efforts).

India has fairly large-sized Security Forces to maintain its integrity with hostile environment in the South Asia and not very conducive environment for its development & growth in the rest of the world. Do we let India realize its potential, is the question to be answered by the developed nations, and how would it affect Us? This should be the main ‘Term of Reference’ for developed nations.

We have small and large advocacy organizations operating in India which are always happy in ‘Doing Down Indian Achievements’ for reasons best known to them. 30% of Us below poverty line, corruption, slow Govt. processes, etc are well drummed, but what is not appreciated is ‘middle class and above’ in India, tone of young Indians to achieve heights, its technological leaps, improvements all around despite certain problems, etc. It is a kind of Psy War unleashed on Us by interested parties with connivance of some of Us, even intellectuals ‘hired’ to do Us down --- a dangerous trend.

GoI has always had a vision to achieve ‘near-self-reliance’ in various fields. It has achieved this with mixed success. Security Industry, Defence & Aerospace specifically, has not reached the objective for various strategic and tactical reasons. Our focus to achieve high degree of self-reliance in this Segment must remain – a message delivered loud and clear in Def Expo 2010.

Policy Initiatives like ‘Buy’, Buy & Make (Indian)’, and ‘Make’ need implementation in all its facets. ‘Tainted Advocacy’ by Indians must stop for larger good whether You are part of an Indian or a foreign firm. Look at the development of the Indian Industry pragmatically in keeping with the ‘strategic needs’ of the country, of course with business sense. All this will help Us retain our independence in thought and action.

National Security is Not a Pure Business Case, Nevertheless Profits Flow.

Brigadier (Retired) Sukhwindar Singh
http://www.indiandefenceindustry.com/
(An e-Hub for India Defence & Aerospace Ecosystem)

Def Expo 2010: Defence Offset Policy Implementation

India’s defence offset policy would be the key driver for growth and modernisation of the defence industrial base, says the Govt. “The industry therefore will evolve in sync with the overall development, leading to progressive policy initiatives coming up in future,” said Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju.

Raju outlined that offset proposals worth 49,000 crore are in the pipeline. Given the complexity involved in supervision of offset, an administration infrastructure has been put in place.

Public Sector alone will not be able to absorb the offset that are to be generated in future, he said. Offset, therefore, give domestic players an opportunity to enter the sensitive defence industry. The Govt. is also planning to extend tax sops enjoyed by exports firms to domestic players as well. Also, combining Public and Private Sector skills that will help achieve higher degree of defence indigenisation is also being mulled upon.

According to Raju, the role of SMEs has been a testimony of being a backbone of the defence industry and its role is vital for the self reliance of the industry. Urging the industry to gear up, the Minister earmarked the prospects of Buy and Make (Indian) category which facilitates JVs with foreign OEMs, strengthening R&D and technology up-gradation among others.

A strong defence industry will help India leverage its Buying Power, expanding technological base, facilitating global tie-ups and JVs. This will be aimed at reducing defence imports and promoting indigenisation, Raju said.

Brigadier(Retired) Sukhwindar Singh
www.IndianDefenceIndustry.com
(An e-Hub for India Defence & Aerospace Ecosystem)
Credit: Financial Express.

Borgund Stave Church, Norway

Courtesy: Mr Mohinder Singh Saundh, IITK, Sweden.

Dr Abdul Kalam: His Message Could Change Our Lives as a Nation & Society!

Why is the media here so negative? Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements? We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?

We are the first in milk production.
We are number one in Remote sensing satellites.
We are the second largest producer of wheat.
We are the second largest producer of rice.
Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit.

There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters.

I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news.

In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime..... Why are we so NEGATIVE? Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign T.Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology. Why this obsession with everything imported.

I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India . For her, you and I will have to build this developed India You must proclaim. India is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation.

Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance. Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours.

YOU say that our government is inefficient.
YOU say that our laws are too old.
YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.
YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke. The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.
YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.
YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?

Take a person on his way to Singapore . Give him a name - 'YOURS'. Give him a face - 'YOURS'. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity….. In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah.

YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (Rs.650) a month to, 'see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else'.YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, 'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?)'. I am so and so's son. 'Take your two bucks and get lost.' YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand. Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo ? Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston ??? We are still talking of the same YOU.

YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India ?

Once in an interview, the famous Ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay , Mr. Tinaikar, had a point to make. 'Rich peoples' dogs are walked on the streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place,' he said. 'And then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the authorities for inefficiency and dirty pavements'. What do they expect the officers to do? Go down with a broom every time their dog feels the pressure in his bowels?

In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan. 'Will the Indian citizen do that here?' He's right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility.

We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms. We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity. This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public.

When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child! and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? 'It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons' rights to a dowry.' So who's going to change the system?

What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU(?).

When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away.

Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system.

Our conscience is mortgaged to money.

This calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too…. I am echoing J. F. Kennedy's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians…...

'ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY' .

Lets do what India needs from us.

Dr. Abdul Kalam

Indian Para Commando

Indian Para Commando with a TAR 21 Rifle.

Do You Want to Twitter?

Twitter connects you with everything you want to know. Short bursts of information are readily available from news organizations, corporate entities, politicians, celebrities, local businesses - even your close friends and family. Also, if you have something to share with the world, Twitter makes it super easy. To join for free, click the link below:

Click Me to Register to Twitter

@twitter

About Twitter, Inc.

Founded in 2007, Twitter Inc believes the open exchange of information can have a positive global impact. Every "Tweet" is limited to 140 characters of text or links which means they are easily written or read on a wide variety of services and devices including any mobile phone, social networks, television, Macs, PCs, and the Web.

Courtesy: http://www.twitter.com/

Sun Rays on Himalayas

Courtesy: Harpal Grewal.

Role of Blog(s) in Democracy

Blogs do improve democracy, not by giving the authors a forum to express their ideas, but by giving ordinary citizens access to the ideas they care most about. Blogs can make a big difference to how we fulfill our responsibility as a citizen.

Blogs inform and empower ordinary citizens by allowing related data to be synthesized quickly and comprehensively and by making it easier for citizens to share their opinions with friends or elected officials.

Democracy depends on lowering the barriers to becoming informed. Although blogs are a great resource for the policy-making elite, their real power lies in their ability to provide broad overview of the issues at stake and quick links for citizen activists; a resource for young activists.

Making change happen requires two things, ‘Getting Data’ and ‘Getting Angry’. Online resources can help citizens across the City get relevant data quickly, and find productive ways to channel their anger into activism. And that couldn't be better for democracy.

Sukhwindar

Credit: Leah Anthony Libresco, Junior double majoring in Political Science and Mathematics at Yale University, USA.

Merry Christmas and A Very Happy 2010!

Sukhwindar

Towards Better Living: Resolve 2010

How to Stay Positive, Youthful & Happy?

• Throw out non-essentials. This includes anything that is not essential for You to live life well.

• Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

• Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever, even ham radio. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

• Enjoy the simple things.

• Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

• The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

• Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

• Cherish your health. If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

• Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is. What are guilt trips? Guilt trips are about violating boundaries. It is a way of manipulating people to get a desired outcome through indirect and passive-aggressive tactics.

• Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

And Remember

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Your Well Wisher

Leadership: 'Inter-Personal Relations' and 'Guilt Trips' by Us

(This Researched Posting has been Inspired by the RWA 33 GBM on 20 Dec 2009 where Inter-Personal Relations of the MC were discussed/focused. Set Your Boundaries diligently dictated by Your Value System and operate within it to avoid 'guilt trips').

This is one trip you may not want to take.

What is guilt? Guilt is your feeling about your personal failure to live up to your standard of behavior.

There are times when we should feel guilty. On those occasions when we are blind to our own moral lapses, a spouse, a relative or a good friend may gently help us see our inconsistency between what we say we believe and how we act. Occasionally, a counselor may also assume this role.

What are guilt trips? Guilt trips are about violating boundaries. Guilt trips are about control. It is a way of manipulating people to get a desired outcome through indirect and passive-aggressive tactics.

Inflicting guilt is used more frequently in families and small communities and organizations where direct conflict or confrontation might upset ties and working relationships. Using guilt unabashedly to control others gets passed on in families as surely as genes. Some families do it, some don't. Families that use guilt may not even be aware of how often they use it or how wrong it really is.

Expecting people to give up a control tactics they've used "effectively" over a lifetime with each other may not be realistic. Usually we don't need much help from others to know when we've failed to live up to our own code of moral conduct.

Setting Boundaries: To deal with another’s agenda for our behavior, we need to be clear about who we are, what we want and what we are willing to do. If we understand and are secure about ourselves, we become less vulnerable to inappropriate or blatant attempts to control our behavior. Setting boundaries is about being clear on personal and family goals, priorities and responsibilities.

It is about saying "NO" when it is necessary. It is about communicating limits and taking control when others may want to control you. It is about agreeing to disagree.

Taking charge. Here are some tips on what to do when someone is trying to inflict guilt.

- Mirror back to them the essence of what they are saying. "Are you telling me that if I don’t come and see you everyday, I am not being a good daughter?" Confront them with their own words. "I have the feeling that you are upset because . . . Is that right?"

-State your position on the subject and recognize that they have a right to their opinion. "I understand that you feel differently, but let me explain why we chose to do thus and so."

- Find out what they want. Tell them a range of options you are willing to do and see which one they favor. Be clear about what you are not willing to do. State your conditions and see if they are willing to meet them or make counter-proposals.

- Don't let them suck you into their plans. Make plans and be clear about them. Discuss with them how their plans and yours might match up. Negotiate from a position of strength. If they catch you off guard, tell them you need time to think about it and when you will get back to them.

- Recognize that every relationship has Give and Take to it. Do your part. It is when the relationship becomes unbalanced that you have to draw the line.

- Have thick skin. So what if they inflict a lot of guilt. That is their way. You don't have to take it personally. So what if they are disappointed or angry with you. That is their problem. Be loving and matter-of-fact with them. "I'm sorry you feel that way. I hope it won't be a big problem between us."

- Don’t be afraid to say no and explain your reasons why. You owe them an explanation. That’s all. Listen to their attempts at persuasion. If they persist, be a broken record. State your own reasons over and over again if they keep coming back to the same point. "Like I said before, Bob and I decided that this year we would ..."

- Get the issue defined clearly and on the table rather than let innuendo or snide remarks pass. "What did you mean by that?" or, "Are you saying that I am not being responsible when?"

- If they have a valid point, acknowledge it, apologize and make amends if possible. Addressing your own faults openly will make it easier to draw the line when it is their perception or interpretation that seems to be the problem.

It may be a painful process, but being clear about boundaries helps create healthy and respectful relationships. Other people's feelings count. But they don't have the right to control you with those feelings. As long as you are in control, it is their problem, not yours. Even if the other party doesn't change, at least you'll be more at peace - and more in control.

If you take guilt trips, you are choosing to go along for the ride.

Sukhwindar

Credit: Dr. Val Farmer, a practicing psychologist. His Practice, known as the Psychological Associates of the Black Hills, is located in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Cadets Prayer at the JSW (1949)

Dear All,

Given below is the Cadets Prayer, Mr Harbhajan Singh , and Others had to read every day when at the JSW (now the NDA) in Jan 1949 as cadets. The Prayer was printed on a small card which could be kept in the breast pocket.

The contents of the prayer are worthy of practice by everyone but in particular by the officer corps of the three Services. So I am sending it as a reminder for everyone.

Best wishes, Harbhajan Singh
(Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh, Former SO-in-C, 1st JSW Course)
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Can we be somewhere close to it !
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CADETS PRAYER

O God, our father, Thou searcher of men’s heart, help us to draw nearer to Thee in sincerity and truth. May our religion be filled with gladness and may our worship of Thee be natural.

Strengthen and increase our admiration for honest dealing and clean thinking, and suffer not our hatred of hypocrisy and pretence ever to diminish. Encourage us to endeavour to live above the common level of life. Wake us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half truth when the whole can be one.

Endow us with courage that is born out of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy, that scorns compromise with vice and injustice, and knows no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy. Guard us against flippancy and irreverence in sacred things of life. Grant us new ties of friendship and new opportunities of service. Kindle our hearts with fellowship with those of cheerful countenance and soften our hearts with sympathy for those who sorrow and suffer.

May we find genuine pleasure in clean and wholesome mirth and feel inherent disgust for all coarse minded humour. Help us in our work and in our play to keep ourselves physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight, that we may better maintain the honour of the service, untarnished and unsullied, and acquit ourselves like men in our effort to realize the ideals of our Armed Forces, in doing our duty to Thee and our country. All of which we ask in the name of the Great Friend and Master of men.
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Ideas on 'Self-Governance' and 'Better Community Living'

(This Blog was started as a pilot effort for Sector 33, Noida, in Jun 2009. It has now been extended to all Sectors of Noida on governance and social issues. Its Objective is to develop an Informed Citizens Forum for providing actionable inputs to Noida -- to be a neutral and valuable ground feedback platform regulated by intellectual citizenry).

Ideas can change minds, can they transform a Sector, or Society? We spend days discussing the issues affecting Us, in the privacy of our homes, during morning walks, laughter clubs, in our minds but never come 'openly' in a rational manner. This Blog is the place to exchange such Ideas.

Ideas put in writing become substantive and is always a considered approach; different from a 'gossip junta'. An Internet Conclave of fresh minds of our City / Sectors aims to discuss the 'Next Big Effort' that will shape the City / Sectors better. Come join the debate, what you say can steer the direction.

This would be in addition to the blown vocal chords in the GBMs.

Once we collect and evaluate Your Ideas, we will pass them to the Sector 33 MC , Noida Admin (Dy Secy RWAs) , or Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Association (FONRWA) for their consideration and action.

Are You ready to make the difference? If so, let Us debate on this Blog, or have Your inputs on svipja@gmail.com

Brigadier (Retired) Sukhwindar Singh

http://www.defenceoffsetsindia.com/

93501 71232

Some Thoughts on Development

May help Us All !

Sukhwindar

Credit: Unknown.

Power of Ideas & Implementation

How do we translate our ideas into success? How can we actually shape public policy with a mere notion – that freedom and free markets are the best way to organize society?

We start by realizing that ideas are the most powerful force in the world. Power can be found in politicians, armies, activists and institutions. But the reason for their power is ideas, because ideas explain why people do the things they do.

What people believe determines how they behave, for whom they vote, the laws and rules they accept or reject and what kind of society they will work to adopt. Ideas determine whether a culture embraces free markets or socialism, democracy or dictatorship. Change ideas, and you change the world.

Political leaders may enact public policy, but they seldom generate the ideas that drive policy. Politicians usually act within a fairly narrow range of politically acceptable Ideas. They cannot operate outside that range without jeopardizing their political standing.

The range of credible ideas circulating in the intellectual marketplace determines the range of politically acceptable options. So if you have a Think Tank that changes the intellectual landscape, that Think Tank actually shifts the range of politically acceptable ideas.

Milton Friedman has said Think Tanks are at their best when they change what is politically & socially possible.

We must remember we are engaged in a battle of ideas. In spite of political obstacles, we are not battling against personalities or people. We should promote ideas that shift the very ground of battle, and that is 'Intellectual Entrepreneurship'.

Brigadier(Retired) Sukhwindar Singh
http://www.svipja.com/
(A Global Solution for Offsets)
Credit: Atlas Economic Research Foundation.

Personality Development; Two Wolves Inside Us

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, My son, the battle is between two wolves inside Us all.

"One is Evil" - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

"The other is Good" - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: Which wolf wins?

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Sukhi
Credit: Anonymous

Kashmir of Ours

An ingenious example of speech and politics occurred recently in the United Nations Assembly that made the World Community smile.

A Representative from India began: 'Before beginning my talk I want to tell you something about Rishi Kashyap of Kashmir, after whom Kashmir is named. When he struck a rock and it brought forth water, he thought, 'What a good opportunity to have a bath.' He removed his clothes, put them aside on the rock and entered the water. When he got out and wanted to dress, his clothes had vanished……. A Pakistani had stolen them.'

The Pakistani Representative jumped up furiously and shouted, 'What are you talking about? The Pakistanis weren't there then.'

The Indian Representative smiled and said, 'And now that we have made that clear, I will begin my speech. 'And they say Kashmir belongs to them........ ......... ......... ......... .........

Brigadier (Retired) Sukhwindar Singh
http://www.defenceoffsetsindia.com/
(A Global Solution for Offsets)
Credit: Contributed by Sandeep Budhiraja, Sector 33, Noida.

Diwali Greetings!

Dear Residents,

Here is Wishing You All Cheer and Happiness on this Diwali !

MC Members, Sector 33.

The Wisdom of the Ancients

In The Wisdom of Confucius (translated by Lin Yutang, London, 1958) there appears the following exchange:

Zigong asked Confucius “What would you say if all the people of a village like a person?” “That is not enough,” replied Confucius.

“What would you say if all the people of the village dislike a person?” “That is not enough,” replied Confucius.

“It is better when the good people of the village like him, and the bad people dislike him.”

This ancient wisdom (Confucius died in 479 BC) summarizes:

You cannot and should not try to please everyone. Make sure that the Right People Like You, and it will be expected That Others Will Not. That’s how the world works.

Sukhwindar

Leadership: A Good Listener

Listening is a powerful tool of communication. Listening and just hearing has great difference. All of us want to have a companion who is a good listener and most of us aim to be one as well. (Added by the Moderator: And of course, 'companionship in gatherings' are different. Sometimes individuals 'collectively' can have different Motives and Agenda because of their varied backgrounds and value system. To be addressed accordingly).

What kind of Listener We Are ? A deep careful listener, a bored listener, a selective listener, a defensive listener, an interrupting listener or an insensitive listener?

Here are simple tips to be a Good Listener:

Follow the Golden Rule: “Do unto others what you want others to do unto you.”

-Put yourself in position of the one who is speaking to you.

-Make an effort to listen to the person who is speaking by giving your full attention to the speaker.

-Focus your mind to what he is trying to say, and for the unspoken messages.

-Watch for the non-verbal communications like tone of voice, hand gestures, facial expressions and other body movements.

-Listen for the real meaning and not just for the literal words.

-Finish listening first before you begin to speak for you to be sure that you understand what is being said and think clearly how to react.

-Ask questions if you are not sure, to understand what the speaker is trying to convey. Good listening requires practice and patience.

If you hone this skill, you’ll appreciate life more.

Bagchi, Sector 33.

Moderator:

a. Who Talks 'first', and who 'listens' is the crux in any social / informal / formal system. There is always a 'pattern' in any communication. We have a well-established theory called Transactional Analysis, commonly known as TA to its adherents. It is an Integrative Approach to the theory of psychology and psychotherapy, and results in Parent-Adult-Child (PAC) Model. We behave like a Parent, Adult and Child in all our conversations all the time. When to take which Role marks success of the 'transaction'. This Approach is 'integrative' because it has elements of psychoanalytic, humanist and cognitive approaches. Pse Click :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transactional_analysis to read the 'Transactional Analysis'.

b. You find individuals 'Talking with Compassion/Authority/Forcefully with their Life Experiences in the Backdrop' (Parent), 'Reasoned Talk put Across Diligently Supported by Strong Rationale w/o Favour or Bias (Adult), and 'Indiscriminate Shouting, Sub-Normal Behaviour, Advancing Personal Agenda' (Child). It happens all the time in our Homes/Offices/Other Places where more than one person converse with each other to 'transact' any business. Aim of any 'speak' should be to 'transact' a meaningful business, of course properly 'heard' in a gathering, and 'listened-to' in a 'serene environment'. Environments are important.

A Leader is to understand it all and 'lead' accordingly. And there is also a theory & practice, 'How to Control an Unruly & Misled Crowd/Gathering?

Thanks for reminding Me to get the PAC in focus. Would help Us all,but are all of Us equally 'concerned' !

Kindly help the MC in advocating this 'Thought'. We are trying our bit in various ways.

Kashmir of Ours

Enjoy nature around You !

Sukhwindar

Twitter in the News -- What is It?

Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read messages known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the author's profile page and delivered to the author's subscribers who are known as followers. Senders can restrict delivery to those in their circle of friends or, by default, allow open access. Users can send and receive tweets via the Twitter website, Short Message Service (SMS) or external applications. While the service costs nothing to use, accessing it through SMS may incur phone service provider fees.

The 140 character limit on message length was initially set for compatibility with SMS messaging, and has brought to the web the kind of shorthand notation and slang commonly used in SMS messages. The 140 character limit has also spurred the usage of URL shortening services such as tinyurl, bit.ly and tr.im, and content hosting services, such as Twitpic and NotePub to accommodate multimedia content and text longer than 140 characters.

Since its creation in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Twitter has gained notability and popularity worldwide. It is sometimes described as the "SMS of the Internet"[3] since the use of Twitter's application programming interface for sending and receiving short text messages by other applications often eclipses the direct use of Twitter.

Sukhwindar

Credit: Wikipedia

Cyber Attack(s)

We all use computers. Cyber Attack(s) are common these days. Motive for such attacks could be many. We must however ensure that we are safe.

Best defence against such attack(s) is to communicate with known entities, surf minimum / on need basis, and use the computers for the facilities You actually need. Over or Indiscriminate use could land You in difficulties.

The above write-up on the Cyber Attack(s) is well considered.

Sukhwindar
http://www.svipja.com/
(A Global Solution for Offsets)
Credit: TOI

Leadership

'Listening to Others' is always a need. Leaders need to employ this virtue judiciously. Learn the technique in the environment You are operating.

Leadership is a continuum between Autocratic & Laissez-faire Styles of Leadership. When to apply what Style is a crux.

Listening to others is a useful input to a Leader. It refines his decision process.

A well thought out Article on Leadership. All could benefit.

Brigadier (Retired) Sukhwindar Singh
Credit: wellness.com

‘The Idea of Injustice’

(This Posting has been inspired by an Article, ‘Fueled by Injustice’, in The Economic Times today, ET NOW) .

Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen in his book, ‘The Idea of Justice’ which took him 25 years to write, explains Natural Justice. He says ‘Our First Sentiment is One of Injustice Rather than Justice’ as a Natural Sense. He could have named his book ‘The Idea of Injustice’ as well. Knowing what Injustice means, we can then easily move to Justice. It is when we know our ‘weaknesses’, only then we can move to eradicate them and make them our ‘strengths’.

Philosophically speaking, all living beings thrive on ‘The Idea of Injustice’ right from the Womb to Tomb. They develop expertise to live on others, or by marginalizing others in whatever manner. Their energies are directed to unleash their ‘destructive power’, whereas they should be applying it to generate their ‘constructive power’. ‘That makes You What You Are in the Real Sense; physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually’.

Looking after the less endowed, bothering for concerns of the others, creating ‘right vibes’ in the System, seeing things dispassionately, mitigating ‘self-interest’ to an extent, with a view to optimize delivery to the System are some of the attributes we need to cultivate. It is only then that we are a useful member of the Social System. Mind You, all this pays You directly.

Amartya Sen views that ‘all our policies relate to injustice because none of our policies, even ones like the Employment Guarantee Scheme, will make the world perfectly just, it will only make the world a little unjust’.

We have our Role cut, Friends!

Sukhwindar

Motto of the Indian Military

"The Safety, Honour and Welfare of your Country come first, always and every time.

The Honour, Welfare and Comfort of the Men you command come next.

Your Own ease, Comfort and Safety come last, always and every time".

Can we translate the Indian Military Motto in our ‘day-to-day’ working, and ‘national life’?

'Sector Life' can enrich manifold if we keep the self-interest last. Let Us work for 'Sab Ka Bhala'. Everything should not start from Point A, and also finish in a closed-loop at Point A. Kindly don't see things from Your Angle only.

Sukhwindar

Leadership

All of Us are leaders in our own right; some successful, some not-very-successful, some unsuccessful. We need to be cautious of what constitutes Leadership, and its ground indicators.

NexGen is highly trainable. We must help them imbibe leadership traits , and help develop as 'fearless' leaders in whatever profession they choose.

'A Good Leader is always a Good Follower'.

Sukhwindar

Credit: The TOI.

Innovate to Suit Your Local Environments

Innovation is 'Life & Blood' of Us all living beings. 'The day we stop thinking wisely, we stop living'. Protect Yourself adequately!

Sukhwindar

Sector 33 Through Photographs

A View of Block C Park

Sonu, House No. not indicated, has posted his comments on the Blog with Link to his Photo Album of Sector 33. Pse Click: http://picasaweb.google.co.in/sonusnaps/Sector33Noida# to view the Album.

Leadership: A New Age Leader

We all need to lead on occasions, within family and organisations. Leadership is built on strong foundation of 'personality traits'. These traits are a complex mix, but can be refined and fine-tuned provided we are willing to learn. We learn in all stages of our life. The day we stop learning, it marks an end of our being.

Next-Gen learns from us unconsciously, especially from the parents & elders. It is here that our 'doings' affect them in life, positively or negatively. It is important that we are cautious of this fact in our day-to-day conduct.

Next-Gen is well-informed and critical at times, sometimes without knowing the facts. But they are the future - future of our social milieu. We need to groom and develop them well as a valuable part of our Social System; Sector concerns are then automatically taken care of.

Let Us endeavour to follow the nuances of a 'New Age Leader' in the spirit of the above Article, and develop 'persuasive leadership style' catering to 'individuals' we are dealing with.

Brigadier (Retired) Sukhwindar Singh
http://www.svipja.com/
(A Global Solution for Offsets)

Courtesy: Article Cutting Above Taken from the TOI.

Standard Operating Procedure & Guidelines for MC Members

(These Responsibilities are Expansion or Addition to the Responsibilities in the Bye Laws)

“Fortitude in Crisis is the Mantra of Good Leadership”

General

RWA is essentially a ‘bridge’ between the ‘Residents of Sector 33’ and ‘Govt. & Other Agencies’ servicing the Sector.

In order to optimise delivery to the Residents, all the Residents and the Management Committee (MC) in particular, need to ensure ‘right’ match and interaction between the ‘Aspiration of the Residents’ and ‘Abilities of the Delivering Agencies’. This would optimise delivery and help in welfare of the Residents which is one of the Main Objectives of the RWA.

National Constraints, Environments, Local cultural and ethical Issues, etc, affect our day-today working & living. These need to be factored-in.

We are drawing facilities from the ‘Common User Systems’. These Systems are over-stretched. There is therefore no place for any specialised or enhanced expectations in short term, unless ‘we’ become part of the Planning System. So the need of Half Yearly / Yearly Plan(s) for the Sector.

It is expected that all the Residents and the MC Committee work in the spirit of ‘conscientious awareness’ devoid of their individual perspectives while dealing with various issues impacting the Sector.

It is in this backdrop that we all need to function and deliver to the Sector. We need to ‘optimise’ through persuasive leadership without creating ‘negative effect’ in the System; it does not help any one.

Responsibilities of Various MC Members

Security of the Sector ( Presently with President & General Secretary)

Security is the responsibility of each Resident. They are expected to sanitise their environments.

Due to resource constrains presently, RWA is not able to secure individual Blocks fully. Block Security would be the responsibility of the individual Blocks, till it is taken over by the RWA.

RWA would provide ‘outer cordon’ of Security which includes Security at the ‘Main Gate’ and ‘Sector 34 Side Gate’. All action will be taken by the MC to check / regulate traffic moving through the Sector, sometimes at a ‘minor inconvenience’ of the Residents.

Roving Guard would be deployed at night to patrol the Blocks. Residents to help the ‘RWA’ if this Guard does not visit their Block(s) at least thrice at night. He is to blow ‘whistle’ as he moves through the Block(s).

All important Police, Fire Brigade, and MC Members’ telephone numbers to be available at the manned Sector Gates.

Close liaison with Police Officials, especially Sector 34 Police Post.

Any other points considered important.

Generation of Funds (Vice President & his Team)

Vice President is responsible for generation of Funds for the RWA as per Para 20.2 read in conjunction with Para 8 of the Bye Laws.

Vice President would take all steps to enlarge Membership of the RWA.

Vice President could deploy all legal means for Generation of Funds for the RWA including use of the Community Centre for the purpose.

Treasurer, Jt Treasurer, General Secy, Secy , in this order, would help the Vice President to generate funds. Vice President is ‘free’ to utilise special expertise / contacts of any of the Members of the RWA for the purpose.

All funds generated needless to say, would be properly accounted for with the Treasurer.

Community Centre (Treasurer and Jt Treasurer)

Community Centre will function under the overall management of the Treasurer.

Guidelines laid by Noida and the RWA 33 Bye Laws would be followed. When in conflict, Noida Guidelines stay supreme.

Form for Booking the Community Centre will be standardised and approved by the MC. All ‘Terms and Conditions’ including penalties will be printed on the ‘Booking Form’, and signed by the Treasurer / Jt Treasurer and the Party Booking it. It is a valid contract.

All bookings will be for ‘lawful’ activities.

Dy Treasurer will be responsible for Bookings. All MC Members to co-ordinate with him/her for the purpose before any commitment to any one.

Community Centre will not be considered booked for the date unless the ‘Form’ and the ‘Cheque / Bank Draft’ in the name of the RWA, are received by the Jt Treasurer, and the date blocked in the Booking Register. Cash will not be accepted.

Bookings will be 180 days in advance of the event for the Members, and 90 days in advance for the Non-Members. In case of a tie in the booking date, the RWA Member, Sector 33 Resident, a Party from outside the Sector, in that order, gets the preference.

Security of the function(s) being held at the Centre will be that of the Party booking it.

Community Centre will levy Damages, Penalty for Playing Loud Speakers after 11.30 PM, Electricity, Cleaning charges, etc, as in vogue & appropriate from the Party.

Routine maintenance and upkeep of the Community Centre will be the responsibility of the Joint Treasurer primarily, supported by the Treasurer.

When not in use, rooms /hall of the Community Centre will be kept locked by the Caretaker.

No unlawful activities are permitted in the premises of the Community Center. The Caretaker to ensure this in support from the Treasurer and Jt Treasurer.

Members Power, Sanitary, Water, Sewerage, Horticulture, etc, in the MC

Power Drawal / Consumption, Sanitation, Water Discipline, Sewerage Choking as a Result of the Residents misusages, Horticulture are the responsibility of each Resident. They are expected to use the Systems with care.

Concerned MC Member(s) to liaise with Noida Staff for ‘optimal’ delivery to the Sector.

‘Sector’ difficulties would be taken-up collectively and not ‘Block-wise’.

Prepare a ‘Half-Yearly / Yearly Plan’ for the Sector for Your respective responsibility areas, both short term (6 months) and long term (12 months), discuss in the MC & General Body. Once approved pursue with Noida officials through the JE / Inspector upwards.

‘Escalate’ only when needed and with approval from the General Secretary and the President.

Keep RTI and PIL in focus. At times written communication is important especially with Departments where Officials are ‘indifferent’ to the ‘repeated ‘requests.

Routine trouble shooting as it occurs through the Noida Staff.

Keep visits to the Staff minimum. It disturbs their routine working. In our enthusiasm, one may also ‘rub’ them on the wrong side; spoils working relations.

Take help from the Residents that have been past MC Members, or have due ‘links’ in the Authority. ‘Self-Help’ is the best form.

Reach out to the Authority Officials with Your ‘Knowledge Power’, and provide consulting to them based on your experience if need be. They are all ‘reasonably well-groomed’ in their disciplines. Any other Approach will be ‘self-defeating’.

Keep ’80:20’ principle in view. Most of Us do not follow it.

Employ ‘scientific management and ‘persuasive leadership’ while tackling issues, before ‘punishing’ the System.

When in doubt, consult others, especially Your spouse. His/Her advice would be based on knowing You the best.

It is very important for the MC Members ‘to know what can be accomplished by chasing’, and ‘what can not be done’ due to existing systemic difficulties. Otherwise we would be frustrating all in the chain. Also consult any one knowledgeable on the subject in addn to your spouse.

Any other Points considered necessary.

Member Welfare

To plan events to get the Sector 33 Community Closer. Organize at least Holy, and Diwali functions.

Explore the possibility of organising Tambolas at least once a month to begin with, Cultural Events led by Young at least twice a year, any other Events that are not very costly and help in building Community feeling.

To organize events like Exhibitions, Conferences, Seminars, Workshops, etc, in coordination with Vice President to generate funds for the RWA through valid welfare activities.

Funds for the activities could be made available as per the Half Yearly/ Yearly plan(s) for the Welfare.

Lady Members

They are welcome to contribute to the well being of the Sector 33 Community in addition to specific responsibilities taken by them.

Could help when approached in cases of disputes between Residents of the Sector / domestic disputes / violence and other issues that generally plague our social system, especially for the female gender.

Bring sobriety in the MC and General Body Meetings, when needed.

Any other issues considered necessary for women and children.

President, RWA 33