Couple-Dom!!

The first time I have read this word in a daily my eyebrows raised as I relished its beauty. We have heard the word 'stardom' which is applied to a single person. But this one applies to a pair usually a male and a female who are famous for "in the public eye relationship". The news in the daily was that Gwyneth Paltrow was not in favour for this couple-dom where I first noticed this word. Then I just thought about our 'desi pairs' who are always courting a relationship in public eye.These pairs will always be hailed as best couple in this part of world and they act as if they are ones who are sent by the God to teach us about the family values! If possible list them out!

Medium Of Instrution ?= Medium Of Employment

What is the fate of those to be engineers who have chosen to pursue their course in tamil is a milion dollar question. For so long a period the 'tamil friendly' rulers of Tamilnadu tried to implement Tamil as medium of instrution in technical courses.And now they have succeeded in passing a bill at the assembly ensuring preference in government jobs for those who have studied in Tamil. Following this as many as 120 students have joined B.E.(Mechanical and civil engineering) courses at Anna University. They eye at government opportunities following this order. But experts believe that atleast in near future this won't occur that easily. Academicians believe that with Tamil as medium of instruction what students will learn is only like grass hopping and deep learning is not possible as many important journals are in English.Private sector will give jobs only those with good communication skills in English.In countries like Japan, China and Korea where medium of instruction is thier mother tongue what they do is to translate every science material into their language as far as possible. But one thing to remember is that the only one language they have is their mother tongue and its easy to implement the policy of reading in their language.
The situation in India is entirely different. We are having as amny as 16 recognized languages and language is the one which is used tactically to kindle our emotios during elections.Language is like petrol to our vote politics.It is much more than a tool for communication. It reflects our culture,history and tradition. Hence anything against Tamil is seen as against Tamils even if it is good to Tamil society. Do we feel comfortable if we step outside our state? How many opportunities we are losing just because we are not fluent in English? We should hail our mother tongue. No doubt about it. But it should be by other means.There should be no bar in learning other languages and pursuing one's studies in other language. The rulers should ensure that due importance is given to learning Tamil in schools and colleges. By just making Tamil as medium of instruction in technical courses will not serve the purpose. I am of the opinion that literature should find its way into technical course as well. There is no harm in reading Kamban and valluvan in B.E. and M.B.B.S. Let it be in that way.Not that you should read BE and MBBS in Tamil! Whats your point?

What is Endiran all about?

After a period of hibernation I decided to write after I watched Endiran.But it took further one week to write this. I have seen the much awaited film Endiran nearly after three weeks after its release when all the hype that it had created over the past two years since it was started for shooting. I am an ardent fan of Rajni and I am so obsessed with his style that I watched even his flop films( e.g. Naatukku Oru Nallavan) on its first or second day of release! But somehow I dealyed to watch this particular one.
I don't like Rajni to say about behind the scenes and how he worked up for his film. It was not so for his previous films. Once a actor talks about how he or she worked hard to get his character right in his movie which is used as a marketing strategy then it shows that such film misses a important element - story- which makes you sit up and raise your eyebrows. I don't deny that he had worked hard than any other movie but he should have left it for his fans and critics to judge it. Again in this film he was supported by technology ably till its end. It was not so in his previous movies. In those films he was the only one who carried the film till its end. Probabaly he has changed to trend of recent times. Moving away from Rajni and coming to the film per se the film has usual story- a triangular love- only differnce is that one is a robot here. Again Shankar's usual knot- a big 'IF' that is a robot making love cannot or will not happen, what will happen IF IT HAPPENS?! It is the usual Shankar's formula.

It did the trick in his earlier films- what will happen IF one is offered chief ministership for one day( Mudhalvan), what will happen IF a multiple personality happens to be a patriot( Anniyan), what will happen IF a governor of a state himself indulges in anti national activity (Kaadalan) and so on. Shankar's success lies in mingling cleverly his IF SO knot into current events and day to day activities of common man( one who goes to theatre a watches movies). In this movie also it worked but for it to happen he needed a producer who has to willingly put money into the project hoping that it will pay him rich dividends which came true. Of course if a very good marketing manager and a media Moghul becomes a producer then it won't be a task that couldn't be achieved. Rajni was the factor which lured fans and folks alike to the theatre during the first week and rocketed prices of tickets were the factors which filled the pockets of theatre owners and the endless list of TV shows that were and to be made are the factors which will increase the income of its producer. But what will fill the heart of fans and film lovers is a story with a screenplay which has something unusual. "This film has nothing like that" is my humble opinion because in this era of globalisation when James Bond movies are released on the same day all over the world, when Steven Speilberg characters talk in vernacular, when people are used to characters like Terminator, when people are aquainted with the CGs of hollywood this is a no wonder. I would have been happy if the entire movie was made technically in India. But it is not a big thing in this small world that Stan Wisdom Company will work in a film if they were paid the fee they asked. But again this film has the small IFs all over the screenpaly- meeting the bribing tarffic cop, helping in exams, attending a child birth, beating the wrong doers and so on. Rajni has made his home work and his last of three portrayals- Robot, the villain- is extremely good. When he laughs as he has transformed in both external and internal looks he chills everybody! So we need A.R.Rahman( I think he deliberately makes songs difficult for our ears after he got Oscars), Rasul Pookutty, Kalanidhi Maran( his 150+ crores and his marketing strategies), Rajni, Aishwarya( Hindi and internatioanl audience), Stan Wisdom company, Non stop media coverage, colourful reviews by celebrities, purses of public which never mind the ticket costs had made this movie a super hit or so. I suggest to watch it once ( you should have wathched it by this time) and remember that this is a tamil film made for world audience so don't try to connect it with your daily routine. For such thing you have to wait for some time!

Verdict Vs Justice

What is verdict and what is justice? A verdict is court's say in a case after careful consideration of arguments of both sides. But everyone knows that it cannot satisfy both sides. One finds it extremely correct and goes to home happily while the other feels that it is not so. He goes to home with disbelief and unacceptance. Whether one is unsatisfied or not is not the matter. But whether the verdict is justice is the matter. Sometimes verdict kindles a chain reaction in the community. The same has happened now in our country after June 7 2010 when verdict came after 26 years in Bhopal Gas Tragedy case which is still the worst industrial disaster in the world.It killed nearly 30000 to die and left thousands disabled and more bitterly hereditary consequences in children born in that region.The verdict was more tragic than the tragedy itself when the victims were left in shock and disbelief. Just 2 years imprisonment that too bailable for a paltry INR 25000 was what the verdict given by a local court for the crime committed by the high influential people. Under sections 304 A( causing death by negligence), 304 II( culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 336 337 338 ( gross negligence) the verdict was given. The main accused Warren Anderson's name was not mentioned in it. Just see what KG Balakrishnan Chairman of National Human Rights Commission told- "There is difference between murder and culpable homicide. When there is no criminal intent, it does not amount to murder and whether the dead is one or thousand, it would be considered culpable homicide and not murder"-This is our IPC and according to it only lots of cases have been dealt with daily all over India and Bhopal Gas Tragedy is one among them. Isn't it? You and I will readily nod against this statement. But law persons won't do the same. Warren Anderson the then CEO of Union Carbide Corporation came to India four days later, arrested and let off the hook. The bird flied to US only not to be found thereafter. It is said that Warren knew very well about the faulty design about the plant at Bhopal but didn't care about it. He used this knowledge to improvise his factory there at his home country. Now UCC claims that it has nothing to do with the disaster as Union Carbide Corporation was only holding just above 50 % of shares in UCIL( Union Carbide India Limited) and Bhopal plant was a Indian company built by Indian engineers. It stated that it was a sabotge and the company had no role. Also it claimed that it has paid enough money to the victims and helped in building a hospital for the victims. It was ready to serve the people further but was sent back by the government of Madyapradesh. These are the claims made by UCC which are published in its website. Then what about Warren Anderson? Well, he is there safely enjoying a lavish lifestyle in suburban New York. It is said that his golf club's subscription is thrice that of what has been paid for victims. UCC didn't accept legal notice on behalf of Anderson saying that it doesn't know where he is. Whether will he be extradited to India, we don't know. Now what will happen to nuclear liability bill we don't know( The american suppliers don't want to be drawn to court for recovery of damages if something goes awry!).Leaving all this behind what has happened to our fellow citizens is something unimaginable. Its like adding salt to wound. Having waited all these years what they have got is nothing. Humiliation is one that no one can accept. And the humiliation in the form of a verdict to those victims is humiliation to everyone in India who still belive law is equal. They say law presently is inadequate to handle mass killings like this or a massacre or a riot. If law is inadequate then make it adequate. People need justice and not explanation like according to IPC and bla bla bla. Now the GoM is reconstituted which will meet today.There may be recommendations to increase the compensation. These can never calm justice loving section of our country who want not just a verdict but a real justice . If such instances continue judicial system will lose people's confidence which is already very low.

PS: This blog is based on news from print, TV and internet media.

Can't doctors care for their money?

I have not ear marked my blog to doctors only and therefore this blog may not create the same response in everyone reading it. Anyway as a doctor and that too an anaesthetist whose names will not figure in payroll of most of the hospitals I think its hightime to share my view. I had received e mail update from medscape.com,-"Why Aren't Doctors Allowed to Care About Money? Part 2"by Leslie Kane- a few days back. It was a blog on the new health policy of USA and how it affects the payment of doctors. Many of the doctors had said their views.Here I like to mention some of them.

An anesthesiologist commented, "My plumber with no student loans, no education, and accepting only cash payments has an easier and more profitable career. Yes, medicine is a very altruistic career, but altruism doesn't pay for college, graduate schools, mortgages, food, etc..



Another anesthesiologist said, "Doctors are allowed to care about money, as long as no one's life depends on the service they provide. No one is proposing that plastic surgeons be required to provide a certain level of free care. That's the paradox -- the more life critical one's specialty is, the less they are afforded the opportunity to care about what they make."

"What really concerns me amongst people who are critics of physician salaries is the notion that physicians shouldn't care about their incomes," said a general surgeon. "This is a disrespectful and ignorant point of view that serves only to dissuade capable individuals from choosing a career as a physician in the first place."

An emergency medicine physician said, "The two bases of human emotions are envy and greed. Joe Average is envious of physicians' status and earning ability, although he knows he was not smart enough to get the required training or disciplined enough to complete it. The latter emotion, greed, is simpler: He wants everything for free...We can't overcome these basic instincts.

An endocrinologist asked, "For all these patients who think that doctors make too much money, I would like some answers. Why is it okay for the entertainment world (athletes, movie stars, television personalities) to be millionaires? Is it not okay that your doctor who had to endure twelve or more years in medical school and residency be compensated for this?

One family physician summarizes the irony of actually being an altruistic doctor: "It seems I help treat the needy and we see patients milking the system. We are in danger of being sued by the 'cannot make happy group.'
It surprised me that as most of us, doctors in India, think that USA is paradise for doctors and when we go there we will become millionaires. But I am sure that not only in USA but in any country the payment to doctors is very less when compared their service. The other side is always green, isn't it? When such a question is asked to our doctors I am sure the answers will be the same. May be the payment system in USA is different from our country. There,patient is not directly paying to the treating doctor but to the insurance company. The doctors there left the ordeal of collecting money to the insurance people for many years and are now feeling for it.
In the above said article one doctor had said,"Doctors have allowed the insurance companies and other payers to substitute for their own collection efforts," said an emergency medicine physician. "Because of this, they have become even more uncomfortable with receiving payment in any other way. We have suckered in for 'the only ethical way to receive money is if others just GIVE it to us.' We didn't take responsibility for our own incomes and that is why we are here. It was just easier to let 'the big daddy' do it -- albeit with huge pressure from 'the big daddy.'"


But here the story is differnt but effect is the same. Can you tell with confidence that you get what you think is your reasonable professional fee from your patients? How many doctors get their money without bargain? Is there a uniform fee system here? People are ready to spend on things that make them happy or they think they are happy when they are doing such things. A common man can shell out Rs 200 to buy a movie ticket but he thinks its a waste if he give Rs 50 to his doctor. After all these tiring years of medical college, residency, PG preparation time, toiling PG period and loans to set up a small practice place, you have work till midnight to get that Rs 50. A teashop owner earns on an average Rs 1.5 lakh per month believe it or not. He sells coffee worth just a rupee for Rs 6. Just imagine what we are doing? What is the electrician bill per day - Rs 300! That if you call him two days earlier, if its a emergency it escalates.But even if you are called at midnight you can't charge it high yet there is a provision to do so. Because you are a doctor and you are there to treat a patient in need but your needs won't be met. I don't think it makes sense. I agree this is a service but can't I be allowed to ask my fee which I think reasonable. Of course I am not demanding it before my service. Is it not like cheating? Why people pelt stones at a hospital alleging demand of excess fee? Is there a code to collect same money at all hospitals? Why people keep mum at hotels charging excess bills , way high for what they provide? Why people throng theatres even if ticket fee is Rs 200? Why lawyers are not beaten up if they lose their case? Why it is not the same case with doctors? So we think that it is easy to get money from insurance company rather from our patient. People here including doctors are crying for insurance cover for mediacl treatment and the trend is slowly changing here too. But we have look at what happened in US when doctors handed over the 'collection responsibility' to insurance companies and I am sure insurance companies are same everywhere. Now they are chasing us but in few years we will be chasing them for our money.

An old Russian proverb:"The doctor is an angel when he tenders his cure and a devil when he tenders his bill."

Rahmanism- Where it is going?

I thought of writing this blog much earlier than previous the one about Tendulkar. But I refrained from doing so since I don't know whether I am right. I am not the one who is having first hand knowledge about music. I don't even know the basics about it but I can smell the goodness or the catching aura of a song in the first instance itself. Idon't have to hear it repeatedly. I am sure many of you will have a feeling of joy or something enjoyable or something pleasant or something which reminds you your childhood on hearing good tunes. But on hearing the songs of Raavanan(Raavan inHindi) I had no such feeling in my heart. In fact I struggled to follow them uninterruptedly. Except Usire Poguthe( Behne De Mujhe in Hindi) sung by Karthik I surely can't digest any song.

They say how cleverly Rahman mixes his tunes with beats, blends the voices of his singers( sometimes he changes them too !), how he deviates from the standard compositions and things like that. But what is the use if he can't give a song which common man can't hum when he is in good mood of the day. What is the use when it doesn't kindle your heart? What is the use when it doesn't serve its purpose? I think he no longers belongs to the place where he originally belonged to. Or he thinks people will like his work in whatever way he gives. Or probably he thinks it is enough if he satisfies a select audience. Where is the Rahman who gave us excellant tunes like Porale...(Karuthamma and later in his path breaking album Vande matharam), Ennavale...(Kadalan), Minnale....(May Mdham).As Bhradwaj Rangan in The New Indian Express put it he produces more head music than a heart music.Oh! Rahman! We the common people of India want something simple, sweet and cherishable.We can't understand your musical genius all the time!

Master Blaster On & Off Field

Hai Friends! I am blogging after a long long time. No specific reasons for that and I don't want to escape by saying that I had no time.The early morning rain and the cool breeze pleased me after the scorching summer of all these days and I am on week off today and hence this blog. Suddenly it striked to me that instead of writing about hard realities I could write about something or someone which or whom everyone relishes. And I decided to write about this man. The man who is darling of millions infact a billion people of Indian republic. The man who belongs to every house in India. The man who has won hearts of everybody including his critics. The man whose words are keenly watched by common as well as high profile politicians . The man who stood the 'test' of time. The man who is far away from his contemporaries in professional as well as personal life. Yes!The man is none other than Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. Born to a middle class family in Mumbai on 24th April 1973 he rose to stardom or demigod status purely by his talent and hardwork. No one can forget his staying at the crease at Sialkot in the final test of his first test series after having been badly hit on his nose. You are well aware of his records and no can deny his ability to adapt to the situation quickly. When most of critics raised questions about his ability to play in T20 format he silenced them all with his bat in recent IPL by becoming leading run scorer .Apart from all his on field records,which impresses me most is his pious personal life not deviating from Indian culture as we know it.
For his status and his earning he can do whatever he wants and can always defend it. But he sticks to moral values of our culture and so far not caught in any controversy.I think this one thing puts him apart from all other players of his calibre of any sport around the world. Don't forget what Tiger woods said after he was caught in sex scandal-' I thought I have the previlage to do like this after all my hard work '- This was what he had said in his apology. And everyday players act in a nonsense way in the public but not this man. Above all Sachin acts as a binding force of our people. He has no boundaries and every Indian believes that he belongs to him. That is something great. At 37 he still plays for India after all these 20 long years of international cricket. He hopes to win a world cup for India next year and we also do hope. All the best Sachin!