A beautiful Australian movie starring Radha Mitchell and shot entirely in Kolkata. The initial scenes will make some people feel a bit uneasy but this movie is as far away from making any generalised statements as I am from having Stallone's biceps (I like to think that I might be better in other departments though).I know that sounds very cliched...but it is about human relations.
I will follow up in more detail about this movie. Have to go now.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Health spending
India
New Delhi, Feb 29 (IANS) The budget allocation for health for 2008-09 was Friday increased by 15 percent over that for the current fiscal to Rs.165.34 billion with Finance Minister P. Chidambaram laying particular stress on HIV/AIDS, polio and healthcare for the rural and urban poor. Expressing satisfaction that the prevalence of HIV/AIDs in the country had come down to 0.36 percent from the earlier 0.9 percent, Chidambaram announced Rs.9.93 billion for the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).
So for a population of 100 crores(it actually about 114 crores), govt. allocated 16534 crores- Rs.165 per Indian.
Australia-
The 2007-08 Budget, the first from the Rudd Labor Government, delivers on the Government’s election commitments and adds some additional health spending.
Total new spending on health is $2.917 billion / 5 years. In addition, $10 billion is promised for the new Health and Hospitals Fund.
In Indian Rs. – roughly 90 billion in 5 years, or about 18 billion for a year.(I AMNOT TALKING ABOUT THE EXTRA 10$ FOR NEW HOSPITALS)
For a population of 2 crores, govt. aloocates Rs.1800 crores for health – Rs.900 per Australia. On top of that , thrice that money is for new hospitals.So, that comes to about Rs.3500 per Aussie per year.
How about this????-
One rupee a day from every Indian as health insurance adds to Rs.365 per year per man.This is double of what the govt. allocation is.Even if you spend 1/3rd to ¼ th that money for getting the staff/resources to collect this money, you still are left with much more than govt. allocation.If after spending on the collection process, you are left with Rs.250 per man, it comes to 25000 crores every year.So, if you promise the masses that they get to get full health cover 2 years after starting this plan, you have 50000 crores in your kitty before you start. If you were to take 4 years collection and then start the lifetime health insurance, govt.would have more than 100000 crores hard cash leaving aside the interest on it before they need to start delivering the goods.The govt.health sector can turn around completely with that sort of money.
I know this is pretty crude statistics, but think again, its not as crude as it sounds.This would need a preparation for at least a couple of years to implement, but friends,a human being may be illiterate, but that doesnot make him stupid.If explained properly, most of the people would see the benefits of putting in 1 rupee a day and getting a lifetime of health facility.
New Delhi, Feb 29 (IANS) The budget allocation for health for 2008-09 was Friday increased by 15 percent over that for the current fiscal to Rs.165.34 billion with Finance Minister P. Chidambaram laying particular stress on HIV/AIDS, polio and healthcare for the rural and urban poor. Expressing satisfaction that the prevalence of HIV/AIDs in the country had come down to 0.36 percent from the earlier 0.9 percent, Chidambaram announced Rs.9.93 billion for the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).
So for a population of 100 crores(it actually about 114 crores), govt. allocated 16534 crores- Rs.165 per Indian.
Australia-
The 2007-08 Budget, the first from the Rudd Labor Government, delivers on the Government’s election commitments and adds some additional health spending.
Total new spending on health is $2.917 billion / 5 years. In addition, $10 billion is promised for the new Health and Hospitals Fund.
In Indian Rs. – roughly 90 billion in 5 years, or about 18 billion for a year.(I AMNOT TALKING ABOUT THE EXTRA 10$ FOR NEW HOSPITALS)
For a population of 2 crores, govt. aloocates Rs.1800 crores for health – Rs.900 per Australia. On top of that , thrice that money is for new hospitals.So, that comes to about Rs.3500 per Aussie per year.
How about this????-
One rupee a day from every Indian as health insurance adds to Rs.365 per year per man.This is double of what the govt. allocation is.Even if you spend 1/3rd to ¼ th that money for getting the staff/resources to collect this money, you still are left with much more than govt. allocation.If after spending on the collection process, you are left with Rs.250 per man, it comes to 25000 crores every year.So, if you promise the masses that they get to get full health cover 2 years after starting this plan, you have 50000 crores in your kitty before you start. If you were to take 4 years collection and then start the lifetime health insurance, govt.would have more than 100000 crores hard cash leaving aside the interest on it before they need to start delivering the goods.The govt.health sector can turn around completely with that sort of money.
I know this is pretty crude statistics, but think again, its not as crude as it sounds.This would need a preparation for at least a couple of years to implement, but friends,a human being may be illiterate, but that doesnot make him stupid.If explained properly, most of the people would see the benefits of putting in 1 rupee a day and getting a lifetime of health facility.
Monday, December 7, 2009
AISS
Everyone knows Acquired Immune Deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The more widespread one, the one equally devastating to your soul (if you are still left with one that is), is 'Acquired immune Sufficiency Syndrome'. I searched for the symtoms/signs in myself and relised that am heavily infected....
The common signs/symptoms in case you want to check out your status-
1. Total immunity to your favourite leader's promises....you know he is lying but you still need to vote for him for reasons known only to you.
2.Total immunity to the policeman who misbehaved with you..or misbehaved with another person in your presence...you just shrug and say- aapni polioce to aisi hi hai..
3.Total immunity to the child selling titbits on the traffic point- 'yeh log kabhi nahi sudhrenge' you tell your 12 year old sitting comfortably in your air-conditioned car.
4.Total immunity to the rubbish overflying from the municipality bin just outside the gate of your apatment colony- your home is clean, that is all that is needed.
5.This is specially for the Kolkata resident- total immunity to the largest redlight area in Asia. Yes it is Sonagachi (at last the best in something apart from Dada). Please also note-place has the distinction of seeing the highest number of human trafficking in world.
The common signs/symptoms in case you want to check out your status-
1. Total immunity to your favourite leader's promises....you know he is lying but you still need to vote for him for reasons known only to you.
2.Total immunity to the policeman who misbehaved with you..or misbehaved with another person in your presence...you just shrug and say- aapni polioce to aisi hi hai..
3.Total immunity to the child selling titbits on the traffic point- 'yeh log kabhi nahi sudhrenge' you tell your 12 year old sitting comfortably in your air-conditioned car.
4.Total immunity to the rubbish overflying from the municipality bin just outside the gate of your apatment colony- your home is clean, that is all that is needed.
5.This is specially for the Kolkata resident- total immunity to the largest redlight area in Asia. Yes it is Sonagachi (at last the best in something apart from Dada). Please also note-place has the distinction of seeing the highest number of human trafficking in world.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Why Inappropriate....
Why inappropriate logic? i was asked.
Isnot logic supposed to be just that- Inappropriate?And yes, it deserves a capital.
After all, the worst fear of the educated is- ' to not sound appropriate, or , in other words- inappropriate.'
Isnot logic supposed to be 'not appropriate'? let me ask the question in a simpler way for the more appropriate human beings- Isnot being appropriate the only virtue worth considering... and installing in our children ?
Isnot the only important thing when in a crowd is- to be able to blend (bend?) in; to ensure that not one word is uttered that goes against what the crowd had decided is right.......
And what does the crowd decide to be right? Of course whatever the strongest and the most vocal said was right is right.....how appropriate...and safe for everyone.
Isnot the girl who said that she enjoys sex a 'woman of loose character'- and the guy who says that he has had a dozen girls- the eternal smart guy?
And isnot the guy who says -'kill those who say our god their god is different'- the most popular guy?
So people, the moment I talked about logic, i had to make it inappropriate.
Isnot logic supposed to be just that- Inappropriate?And yes, it deserves a capital.
After all, the worst fear of the educated is- ' to not sound appropriate, or , in other words- inappropriate.'
Isnot logic supposed to be 'not appropriate'? let me ask the question in a simpler way for the more appropriate human beings- Isnot being appropriate the only virtue worth considering... and installing in our children ?
Isnot the only important thing when in a crowd is- to be able to blend (bend?) in; to ensure that not one word is uttered that goes against what the crowd had decided is right.......
And what does the crowd decide to be right? Of course whatever the strongest and the most vocal said was right is right.....how appropriate...and safe for everyone.
Isnot the girl who said that she enjoys sex a 'woman of loose character'- and the guy who says that he has had a dozen girls- the eternal smart guy?
And isnot the guy who says -'kill those who say our god their god is different'- the most popular guy?
So people, the moment I talked about logic, i had to make it inappropriate.
Monday, October 12, 2009
The true patriot
I am not considered a patriot, and I thank the heavens for that. Wasnot it Oscar Wilde who said- 'patriotism is a virue of the vice'. But who cares, Salman Khan/Amitabh Bacchan/Shahrukh Khan.....none of them ever said it...that makes it unimportant enough.
And no, it is not my being in the west that makes me a belong to the 'not patriot' category, a category of true minority.Believe me, the zeal/strength of patriotism of apna bhai/behens here is something I had never seen when was back in God's land. I amnot thought to be a patriot, because of, amongst other reasons- not expressing enough indignation at the facts that girls in the west marry more than once....and sometimes go on to have children out of wedlock......
Maybe if I had said that these girls should be made to fast on Navratri and wear Sindur like our great women back home, I would have become a patriot.
Lest you think my bhai/Behens here arenot a progressive lot, let me tell you- they drink wine openly together... no mean feat, considering my behens of course wouldnot smoke...that is something only Western women with their low morals can do.
Pre-marital sex? What is that? I probably have to go to graphic details, maybe self indulge a bit, to make my fellow bhai/behens understand what that means. These lowly western terms donot have any Deshi translation you see....
And then there are a few other silly things that I keep talking about...you know , things like about 80% of Indians subside on below 2 $ a day...and that Maoists go around blowing up bridges and killing police....that for almost every investigation that the noble Doctors order, they get/expect a commission....that the majority really/really cannot afford to go to the Apolos and the Batras......that little kids still die because their dads do not have money to get the hole in their hearts repaired, and worse still, those dads arenot brave enough to stab a millionaire and get the money that the holy doctors need to repair their children' holes in their hearts....and worse of all, that I actually say that I wish that the educated in india would realise that being educated doesnot mean ONLY getting a car/plama TV/flat....it ALSO means, caring for the people around you, for taking the weak's hand and helping him......now that is nasty of me...isnot it?
All these, and the fact that I actually keep saying that once I have trained myself well enough, I will go back to the hills in Himachal ( isnot that stupid? I mean going back...and even if I were to go back, not planning to work in the Apolos and Batras..)....all this makes me the true non-patriot.
Am happy to be branded so though......makes me know the that fire has still not died...and it probably will never die.
And no, it is not my being in the west that makes me a belong to the 'not patriot' category, a category of true minority.Believe me, the zeal/strength of patriotism of apna bhai/behens here is something I had never seen when was back in God's land. I amnot thought to be a patriot, because of, amongst other reasons- not expressing enough indignation at the facts that girls in the west marry more than once....and sometimes go on to have children out of wedlock......
Maybe if I had said that these girls should be made to fast on Navratri and wear Sindur like our great women back home, I would have become a patriot.
Lest you think my bhai/Behens here arenot a progressive lot, let me tell you- they drink wine openly together... no mean feat, considering my behens of course wouldnot smoke...that is something only Western women with their low morals can do.
Pre-marital sex? What is that? I probably have to go to graphic details, maybe self indulge a bit, to make my fellow bhai/behens understand what that means. These lowly western terms donot have any Deshi translation you see....
And then there are a few other silly things that I keep talking about...you know , things like about 80% of Indians subside on below 2 $ a day...and that Maoists go around blowing up bridges and killing police....that for almost every investigation that the noble Doctors order, they get/expect a commission....that the majority really/really cannot afford to go to the Apolos and the Batras......that little kids still die because their dads do not have money to get the hole in their hearts repaired, and worse still, those dads arenot brave enough to stab a millionaire and get the money that the holy doctors need to repair their children' holes in their hearts....and worse of all, that I actually say that I wish that the educated in india would realise that being educated doesnot mean ONLY getting a car/plama TV/flat....it ALSO means, caring for the people around you, for taking the weak's hand and helping him......now that is nasty of me...isnot it?
All these, and the fact that I actually keep saying that once I have trained myself well enough, I will go back to the hills in Himachal ( isnot that stupid? I mean going back...and even if I were to go back, not planning to work in the Apolos and Batras..)....all this makes me the true non-patriot.
Am happy to be branded so though......makes me know the that fire has still not died...and it probably will never die.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Mosquito Coast
I have always associated Harrison Ford with a particular style of acting....more so because he always seemed to play a particular sort of character- the nice but tough uncharismatic guy...leaving aside of course the Star Wars.
And then I saw Mosquito Coast- Ford plays an American, who is a genius and firmly convinced that nuclear war is going to wipe out the big countries...this and his disgust with the average American"s wasteful materialism makes him take off (with his four children and wife)for Mosquito Coast, a place which is in S.America. On way, he makes enemies with the priest who is based in that area with the aim of "LIBERATING THE LOCALS". Our hero and his family, upon reaching the place realise that it has nothing to offer...its a marshy and bleak place on the edge of the river. Not to be supressed, the whole family, with the aid of a few locals works hard, clears the jungles and makes a sort of a farm.
The movie traces the ups and downs of the family, which is linked with the fate of the locals as well....slowly, as circumstances start to become worse, Harrison Ford turns into a man so obsessed with his need to keep his family in that area, that he almost turns into a demon.
It is a great performance by Ford, I think probably his best. He is credited with having starred in nine of the twentyfive all time top earning movies.....and Mosquito Coast was his only movie that didnot recover its money.
This is what he said of the movie after it was declared a flop- It's the only film I have done that hasn't made its money back. I'm still glad I did it. If there was a fault with the film, it was that it didn't fully enough embrace the language of the book (by Paul Theroux). It may have more properly been a literary rather than a cinematic exercise. But I think it's full of powerful emotions.
And then I saw Mosquito Coast- Ford plays an American, who is a genius and firmly convinced that nuclear war is going to wipe out the big countries...this and his disgust with the average American"s wasteful materialism makes him take off (with his four children and wife)for Mosquito Coast, a place which is in S.America. On way, he makes enemies with the priest who is based in that area with the aim of "LIBERATING THE LOCALS". Our hero and his family, upon reaching the place realise that it has nothing to offer...its a marshy and bleak place on the edge of the river. Not to be supressed, the whole family, with the aid of a few locals works hard, clears the jungles and makes a sort of a farm.
The movie traces the ups and downs of the family, which is linked with the fate of the locals as well....slowly, as circumstances start to become worse, Harrison Ford turns into a man so obsessed with his need to keep his family in that area, that he almost turns into a demon.
It is a great performance by Ford, I think probably his best. He is credited with having starred in nine of the twentyfive all time top earning movies.....and Mosquito Coast was his only movie that didnot recover its money.
This is what he said of the movie after it was declared a flop- It's the only film I have done that hasn't made its money back. I'm still glad I did it. If there was a fault with the film, it was that it didn't fully enough embrace the language of the book (by Paul Theroux). It may have more properly been a literary rather than a cinematic exercise. But I think it's full of powerful emotions.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Schindler's List
Schindler's List is a 1993 American drama film about Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand Polish Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. This guy was a womaniser, lover of good wines and a Nazi party worker. He initially employed Jews as workers in his twin factories as they were the cheapest ones to hire in Nazi germany........and somewhere along the line, I guess the brutality of it all made him turn into one of the bravest men in the world in those times. Twice he was jailed, but having been quite a charmer in the higher social circles of Germany, his friends in high places helped him get out. By the time the war ended, he was penniless, having lost all his money bribing the Nazis and German officials to keep them away from his Jew workers. Liam Neeson gives the performance of his lifetime, and Ben Kingseley is great as usual.
And to think that we have the resident joker in Mumbai who loves to say that Hitler is his idol.People of Mumbai, he gives a bad name to all of you.........
How is it possible that six million Jews were killed in those six years and entire Germany stood by and watched? Well, not just watched, but helped Hitler and his goons to do that..........
And to think that we have the resident joker in Mumbai who loves to say that Hitler is his idol.People of Mumbai, he gives a bad name to all of you.........
How is it possible that six million Jews were killed in those six years and entire Germany stood by and watched? Well, not just watched, but helped Hitler and his goons to do that..........
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