FDI in retail and its effect on farmers

How FDI in retail will hurt farmers

With the government stating that its FDI policy on multi-brand retail will be on hold till after the UP elections, the publicity assault to prepare the ground for it to be brought back is palpable. The strategy employed is the classic “divide and rule”.

“If the trader groups are against FDI, then let farmer groups be set up to fight the trader groups” seems to be the ploy. We now see repeated stories in the media about how FDI in retail will benefit the farmers of India. We could have taken this seriously, but unfortunately the global evidence points in the other direction. Farmers in the West have paid a big price, with hundreds of thousands forced to shut down their farms, due to corporatisation of the farming sector, along with corporate concentration on the purchasing side among processors and retailers.

BIG RETAILERS' BIZ MODEL

Big retail in the West and elsewhere functions on a simple business model.

Grow bigger and bigger till the market becomes an “oligopsony” — a situation where a small number of buyers exert power over a large number of sellers. The UK food retailing industry, for example, is now dominated by just four supermarket chains who together account for over two-thirds of retail food sales.

Likewise, the top five chains in the US account for over 60 per cent of food sales.

This results in the retailer exercising enormous control over their suppliers, which includes the farmers. This is shown in the diagram above:

It is this structure that has reduced farm prices and has forced the closure of farms. Foreign retailers will replicate this structure in India over time, with disastrous consequences for the Indian farmer.

PUNJAB EXAMPLE IS WRONG

A prominent TV channel featured the story of a few farmers in Punjab highlighting how direct purchases of produce by a retailer had given them a higher yield. This is a type of faulty reasoning described in college textbooks as “the fallacy of composition”. The fallacy of composition arises when one infers that something is true of the whole from the fact that it is true of some part of the whole.

The channel had obviously hand-picked a few farmers who suited its conclusion. The only way to assess the impact on farmers is to look at countries where big retailers dominate the market, and see how the entire farming community has fared.

LOWER PRICES TO FARMERS

A good way to measure the effect of retail power on farmers and farm workers is to look at the portion of each dollar spent on food at the supermarket — referred to as the retail food dollar — that goes back to the farm.

By this measure, virtually all food producers in the US have seen their share of the retail food dollar decline over time, at points dropping so low that farmers have been forced out of business in droves. Here are just a few examples:

In 1970, hog producers (those who raise pigs) in the US derived 48 cents of the retail dollar spent on pork. Three decades later, they received only 12 cents out of every retail dollar, causing loss to the farmers. While this happened, consumers didn't benefit from the low farm prices at all: retail pork prices stayed stable. (Source: Agribusiness Accountability Initiative)

According to the US Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, in 1990, ranchers and farmers received 60 cents of the retail dollar spent on beef, retailers received 32.5 cents and meat companies 7.5 cents. In 2009, the numbers were reversed — retailers took 49 cents share of each dollar (up 16.5 cents) consumers spent on beef, while ranchers and farmers got 42.5 cents (reduction of 17.5 cents) and meat packers 8.5 cents.

The breed of the small rancher/farmer in the US is under threat as they go out of business in large numbers year on year. (Source: http://bloom.bg/et4eLU) In the UK, the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers has complained vociferously that prices paid to farmers for fresh milk are simply unsustainable, with the average farmer losing money on each litre of milk produced.

This has happened even as the supermarkets' margin on fresh milk has increased steadily over the years.

While it costs the consumer £1.45 to buy four pints of milk at a supermarket such as Tesco, the farmer receives just 58 pence (40 per cent) of this, causing a loss of 3 pence for every four pints. Small farmers have closed their dairy operations as a result.

In India, dairy farmers receive as much as 75 per cent of what the consumer pays for a litre of milk. (Source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8103119.stm)

SUBSIDIES PROP FARMING

If big foreign retailers are expected to shore up our farmers as claimed by the publicity reports, there is no evidence of this in the countries where these retailers have spread their wings the widest.

In the US, farmers received direct commodity subsidies of over $167 billion in the period 1995-2010 (Source: http://farm.ewg.org/region.php?fips=00000)

The European Union paid direct farmer subsidies of €39 billion ($51 billion) in 2010 alone. Why these subsidies if the big retailers are paying the best prices to the farmers as claimed?

SORRY EXAMPLE OF MEXICO

Mexico (population 112 million) signed the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994. It has since witnessed a virtual takeover by Walmart which has gained nearly a 50 per cent share of the country's retail market.

Mexico can now be described economically as a vassal state. A combination of big retail and imports under NAFTA has driven over 1.25 million small Mexican farmers — 25 per cent of the country's farmers — off their farms. Consequently, the illegal immigration to the US, which was to have been reduced because of NAFTA, has more than doubled to nearly 6 million Mexicans.

Even a fraction of such a displacement in India, arising out of misguided policies, will cause social disruption on a vast scale. (Source:http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/reclaiming-corn-and-culture)

India has more than 58 million small farmers, 12 million small retailers and 26 million small and micro enterprises representing over 450 million people.

The 300 MPs of the parties who opposed FDI in retail are right. Disturbing this mass of people is not politically sustainable.

Real story behind politicians comments on FDI in retail affecting kirana shops..

Most of the politicians who appeared on various TV channels on 24th November - the day that the union cabinet took a decision to allow 51% FDI in mulibrand retail and 100% in single brand retail - said that India had 1.2 crore (12 million) kirana shops. By the next week, the number had moved up to 40 million kirana stores and by the 3rd of December, it had shot up to 50 million kiranas. 

If one was to believe this incredible claim that there are 50 million kirana stores, does it mean that there is one kirana shop for every 24 Indians? And if an average kirana shop employs four people, does it mean that 200 million of the 635 million Indians of employable age (31.5% of all employable Indians) are employed by kirana shops? Does any politician actually expect any educated Indian voter to believe this nonesense? 

Since West Bengal's Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress party chief Mamta Bannerjee, as well as the lest parties who ruled the state for the last 34 years, are the most vocal critics of FDI, let me take the state of West Bengal as an example. 

If there is a kirana shop for every 24 Indians, West Bengal (population 91.348 million) should have 3.81 million kirana shops. Since the state has an estimated consumption of Rs.553 billion in food, grocery & FMCG products (products sold at kirana stores), of which Rs.542 billion (98%) is sold by the unorganized sector , these 3.81 million kirana shops should be doing an average business of only Rs.142,257 per year or just Rs.390 per day. Obviously, this does not make any sense. 

It is much more likely that there are only 180,000 kirana stores in West Bengal (1 shop for every 507 persons ), and the average business per kirana shop is Rs.3.011 million per year or Rs.8250 per day. This is not hard to believe, considering that West Bengal had 217,595 registered dealers as per the 2010-11 Administrative Report of the West Bengal Directorate of Commercial Taxes. If there are as many as 3.81 million kirana shops, then both the Left parties, as well as Trinamool Congress, need to answer why there are only 217,595 registered dealers in the state. 

So how many kirana shop owners will get out of business if Walmart, Carrefour, Tesco and other foreign retailers are allowed to set up hypermarkets in West Bengal? Since Kolkata is the only city in West Bengal with a population of more than one million, "foreign " hypermarkets can only be set up in Kolkata. By any measure, Greater Kolkata can only have a maximum of 20 more hypermarkets. 

These 20 hypermarkets cannot displace more than 1400 kirana stores (@ 70 kirana stores per hypermarket ). There will be absolutely no change in employment as about 7800 people will get employed by the "foreign " hypermarkets. Certainly, the 1400 kirana shops are not employing more than 7800 people. So, no one will lose jobs, period. 

On the contrary, the 7800 employees of the "foreign " hypermarkets will have benefits such as PF, ESI and insurance. They will have far better training in personality development and selling skills, thus making them far more marketable. Does the kirana provide them all of this? 

So is Mamta Bannerjee opposing FDI only for the purpose of saving the livelihoood of 1400 small traders (many of them non-Bengali ), at the cost of a better life for 7,800 Bengalis? Is this what the hoo haa is all about? Is this why the Indian parliament has got disrupted for nine days? 

West Bengal's retail sector is estimated to have annual sales of Rs.1754 billion (at an average per capita retail expenditure of Rs.1600 per month). The state's sales tax (VAT) revenues in 2010-11 were only about Rs.74 billion (excluding fuel & LPG, aluminium , cement, chemicals, engineering goods, fertilizer, iron & steel and other items not sold through retail trade), or only 4.4% of the pre-VAT retail sales of Rs.1680 billion, whereas the most common VAT rate was 12.5%. 

What should you gift to your teachers on teacher's day?

Prakash Iyer's advice: On Sept 5, gift your teacher a pencil

Teachers are the backbone of every individual's success. With Teachers' Day round the corner, here's a little lesson from Prakash Iyer.
The other day someone told me an interesting story of an imaginary conversation between a pencil and an eraser.

“I am sorry,” said the pencil to the eraser. “Whatever for?” asked the eraser. “I am sorry because you get hurt because of me,” continued the pencil. “Every time I make a mistake, you are there to erase it. And every time you make one of my mistakes vanish, you lose a bit of yourself. You become smaller and smaller. And a bit dirty too.”

“You shouldn’t really worry,” responded the eraser.

“I was meant to help you whenever you made a mistake, and I am happy doing my job. And I know one day I’ll be gone and you will find someone else to do my job. While I am around, I take pride in knowing I did my bit to help erase your mistakes. Keep writing. ”

‘Erasers’ in our lives

If you think about it, you’ll probably recognize that our teachers were the erasers in our lives. We were the pencils, sharp, and colourful. And every time we made a mistake, the teachers were there to correct us. They gave a bit of themselves – so that we could emerge looking just a bit better.

As we moved from school to college and then to work, we found new teachers. In this month when the world celebrates Teachers’ Day, let us spare a thought for those selfless human beings who made a difference to our lives. Let us thank all those teachers who happily got a little dirtier to keep us clean, who didn’t mind losing a bit of themselves to make our work error-free. And who were happy to fade away and watch our work with pride as we moved on to newer worlds, and newer teachers. The pencils might get all the glory, but it’s the erasers who made it all possible.

Discerning gardeners

There’s something else about teachers that makes them truly special: their ability to see the genius inside every child. I recall a friend telling me about an interaction she had with her children’s school teacher several years ago. My friend was worried about her second son, who didn’t seem to studying as much as his elder brother. His grades were poor and his Math skills were weak. My friend was worried for her son’s future.

When she raised the issue of her younger son’s performance, here’s what the teacher told her. “Don’t worry about his grades. He’s an extremely popular, well-adjusted kid. You can’t expect mangoes to grow on a guava tree. Different trees bear different fruits. Enjoy each fruit. Parents and teachers – we are just the gardeners. Our job is to water the plant, give it nourishment, and allow it to grow into a healthy tree.”

And guess what? Both those boys have grown up into fine young men. Different folks, different fields, but good human beings, and successful in their own right.

Say you are grateful

We would all do well to remember those lessons. Never be afraid of making mistakes; there will always be an eraser at hand. Don’t worry if you couldn’t become an engineer or a doctor. Just be the best you can be. Mangoes don’t grow on guava trees.

And yes, as a Teachers’ Day special, do yourself a favour.

Pick up a pencil and send a message to an old teacher to thank him or her for being that wonderful eraser in your life.

You will do that, won’t you?

What INDIA has lost so far in scams..

As India immerses itself into removing corruption, it's important to understand what the past scams cost us. But talking in mere amounts isn't fruitful. After all, does 55,000 crore rupees sound bad? How much worse is it than a mere 50,000 crores? (Answer: 1,000 kilometers of highway worse, or the stretch from Bangalore to Mumbai)

The biggest scam that unfortunately doesn't get classified as one is that food enough to feed 100 million peoplerots in government warehouses.  For the rest, we have for you an infographic that puts the amounts in context, how much we could have done. For past scams we have adjusted the amount for inflation to reflect an equivalent in 2011 — the Rs. 5,000 crore Harshad Mehta Scam for instance is worth Rs. 15,000 cr. today.

Here's all that we could have done with the money lost to some of the biggest scams in India.

Samsung unveils 3 smartphones to run on own platform

Samsung Electronics unveiled three smartphone models that run on its own operating system, as it seeks to expand market share in the low-end segment and diversify its lineups heavily focused on Google's Android software.

The Wave series models backed by Samsung's proprietary system "bada" reflects the South Korean firm's shift in strategy from being a pure hardware manufacturer to become more software-focused.

Samsung on Tuesday unveiled Wave 3 with a 4-inch AMOLED screen and a 5 megapixel camera, as well as cheaper Wave M and Wave Y. The Wave M will have Samsung's first instant messaging tool chatON installed and entry-level Wave Y with 3.2-inch display will go on sale in October.


Samsung, whose flagship Android-based Galaxy S models helped it become the world's No.2 smartphone maker in the second quarter, is now focusing on emerging markets with cheaper phones costing $200 or below.

Samsung Wave 3 offers 4″ SAMOLED display and metal design made of anodized aluminum. The phone is powered by Bada 2.0 and it adds Samsung Chaton product. The Samsung Wave M offers 3.65″ HVGA TFT LCD screen while Samsung Wave Y offers 3.2″ screen. Take a look at following chart for a comparison of tech specs.

The Reality of Singapore’s Lokpal Bill--check for yourself

The message claims the following statement:

[In 1982, in Singapore, bill similar to Jan Lokpal was implemented and 142 Corrupt Ministers & officers were arrested in one single day. Today, Singapore has only 1% poor people & no taxes are paid by the people to the government, 92% literacy rate, better medical facilities, cheaper prices, 90% money is white & only 1% unemployment exists.]

I would like everyone to read report on “Eradicating Corruption – The Singapore Experience” by Mr. Muhammed Ali, acting assistant director of Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), Singapore. CPIB is the agency responsible for combating corruption in Singapore and it was formed after the Singapore got self-government in 1959 not in 1982 as claimed by message.

Next, message claims that it (CPIB) is similar to Jan Lokpal, claiming CPIB same as Jan Lokpal is madness and can be claimed by only those people who don’t analyse facts before opening their big mouths. CPIB is not a self appointed civil society without accountability and without representation of common people as proposed by Anna and his team. CPIB works directly under the supervision of Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore but Jan Lokpal Committee as proposed by Anna and Team will be independent body with the power of making rules and regulations and will also have the power of courts and police. After reading the above report by Mr. Muhammed Ali, I think CPIB works almost same as CBI of India works. CPIB worked well because it was given powers with good salaries and they gave emphasis over making people aware of their rights. The fact CBI couldn’t make an impact was opposite, there was no emphasis over making people aware of their rights. Another important aspect that made CPIB successful was streamlining cumbersome administrative procedures and I don’t think it’s going to happen in India with Jan Lokpal Bill. Government contractors (private bodies) were also included CPIB and were debarred for a period of five years from any public contract if they were found guilty. Jan Lokpal Bill doesn’t approve private institutions, NGOs, businessmen, media etc under its cover. In terms of selection of CPIB members it’s way different from the Jan Lokpal. There is another big difference that CPIB can only recommend the people found in corruption to be guilty to the courts, but Jan Lokpal does have powers of prosecution and impose penalties.

I searched, searched, and searched one more time to get any detail on the arrest of 142 corrupt ministers & officers in one single day as claimed in the message, but I couldn’t find a single report on such an incident. Has Google gone crazy or I’m searching for the report that was never written? There is not a single report on such an incident and all the results I got on Google and Bing search were the comments of the people. It was more interesting to note that almost everyone has Ctrl+Ced and Ctrl+Ved the same comment! No one even dared to edit a bit or make it look like original one!

Another important thing claimed in the message that in Singapore there is no tax is absurd, misleading and completely wrong. Singapore does have taxes and the upper limit of taxes is 20%. One more claim made in the message is about cheaper prices, but in reality Singapore is in the list of top 10 most expensive cities.

Other claims made in message are bit rational and one can agree with those claims. Medical facilities are no doubt better than India but Singapore is still way behind many other nations.Literacy rate is 96% not 92% in Singapore and unemployment rate is more than 2% not 1% as claimed in the message.

ALL YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT CREDIT RATING

What is a credit rating?  A credit rating represents the rating agency's opinion on the likelihood of a rated debt obligation being repaid in full and on time. A simple alphanumeric symbol is normally used to convey a credit rating. Is a credit rating a recommendation to invest in a debt instrument?  A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, hold, or sell a debt instrument. A credit rating is one of the inputs used by investors to make an investment decision Does a credit rating assure repayment?  A credit rating is not an assurance of repayment of the rated instrument. Rather, it is an opinion on the relative degree of risk associated with such repayment. This opinion represents a probabilistic estimate of the likelihood of default. Who regulates a rating agency?  The capital market regulator regulates rating agencies in most regions. In India, the capital markets regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), regulates the rating agencies in the country. Who pays for a credit rating?  Most credit rating agencies across the world use a revenue model where the issuer pays for the credit rating. Alternative revenue models (such as the one based on investor fees) pose numerous challenges in terms of ease and practicality of implementation that have not yet been overcome.   If the issuer pays for the rating, how does a credit rating agency maintain its independence?  Although the issuer pays for the rating, the investor uses it. Like any other product or service, the 'value' of the rating depends entirely on the perceptions of the investor. Investor perceptions are based on the credibility of the past ratings assigned by each rating agency. How does a rating agency operate when issuers' disclosure levels are low?  During a credit rating exercise, issuers provide rating agencies with confidential information and insights into business strategy that are not normally available in the public domain. As a policy, CRISIL does not assign credit ratings without issuer interaction, except when a previously rated instrument is outstanding or when a specific investor asks for a private exercise. In cases where CRISIL believes that the information is inadequate to assign a rating, it may not do so. Also, for rated clients, if subsequent information is not adequate, CRISIL may suspend the rating and inform the investors. How do investors benefit from a credit rating?  Credit ratings help investors facilitate comparative assessment of investment options, complement the investors' own credit analysis, and allow asset monitoring. What do the various credit rating symbols mean?  CRISIL uses simple alphanumeric symbols to convey credit ratings. CRISIL assigns credit ratings to debt obligations on three basic scales: the long-term scale, the short-term scale, and the fixed deposit scale. To illustrate, CRISIL's long-term credit rating scale and the description associated with each category on the rating scale is given below:   Symbol (Rating category). Description (with regard to the likelihood of meeting the debt obligations on time) AAA Highest Safety AA High Safety A Adequate Safety BBB Moderate Safety BB Inadequate Safety B High Risk C Substantial Risk Does the minus sign in a rating symbol have negative connotations relating to the issuer's performance or its debt-servicing capability?  Plus and minus symbols are used to indicate finer distinctions within a rating category. The minus symbol associated with ratings has no negative connotations whatsoever. What is the validity period of a credit rating?  Credit ratings are assigned either to specific instruments or to the general debt obligations of issuers. CRISIL assigns credit ratings to debt obligations. A rating is valid until the rated debt obligation is fully paid. How are credit rating changes communicated?  Once a credit rating is assigned and published, CRISIL keeps the credit rating under surveillance until the instrument is fully repaid. The surveillance process may result in credit rating changes from time to time. All changes in CRISIL's credit ratings are communicated publicly through CRISIL's website (www.crisil.com) and media releases. Why do credit ratings change?  Credit ratings are assigned based on certain expectations and assumptions about variables that impact the issuer's performance. However, these variables can change, causing the rated entities' performance to deviate materially from expectations. This is reflected in their changed credit ratings. If a credit rating is downgraded, does it mean that a default is imminent?  Not necessarily. In most cases, a downgrade does not mean that a default is anticipated. All it indicates is that the risk associated with the debt obligation is relatively higher than what it was before the downgrade. Does the size of the rated debt obligation affect its credit rating?  No. What matters is the size of the total debt in the company, and not the amount that is sought to be rated. Does a credit rating assure repayment?  A credit rating is not an assurance of repayment of the rated instrument. Rather, it is an opinion on the relative degree of risk associated with such repayment. This opinion represents a probabilistic estimate of the likelihood of default.

National anthem of INDIA

Bengali Transcription	English Translation
Stanza 1 (National Anthem of India):-
Jano Gano Mano Adhinaayako Jayo Hey,Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa Panjaabo Sindhu Gujaraato Maraathaa,Draabiro Utkalo Bango Bindhyo Himaachalo Jamunaa Gangaa, Uchchhalo Jalodhi Tarango Tabo Shubho Naamey Jaagey, Tabo Shubho Aashisho Maagey Gaahey Tabo Jayogaathaa Jano Gano Mangalo Daayako, Jayo Hey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey,Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey	Oh! the ruler of the minds of people, Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India! Punjab, Sindhu, Gujarat, Maharashtra,Dravida(South India), Orissa, and Bengal, The Vindhya, the Himalayas, the Yamuna, the Ganges,and the oceans with foaming waves all around Wake up listening to Your auspicious name, Ask for Your auspicious blessings, And sing to Your glorious victory. Oh! You who impart well being to the people! Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India! Victory to You, victory to You, victory to You, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory to You! (refrain repeated five times)
Stanza 2:-
Ohoroho Tobo Aahbaano Prachaarito,Shuni Tabo Udaaro Baani Hindu Bauddho Shikho Jaino,Parashiko Musholmaano Christaani Purabo Pashchimo Aashey,Tabo Singhaasano Paashey Premohaaro Hawye Gaanthaa Jano Gano Oikyo Bidhaayako Jayo Hey,Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey,Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey	Your call is announced continuously,we heed Your gracious call The Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, Parsees, Muslims, and Christians, The East and the West come,to the side of Your throne And weave the garland of love. Oh! You who bring in the unity of the people! Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!
Stanza 3:-
Potono Abhbhudoy Bandhuro Ponthaa,Jugo Jugo Dhaabito Jaatri Hey Chiro Saarothi, Tabo Ratha Chakrey Mukhorito Potho Dino Raatri Daaruno Biplabo Maajhey,Tabo Shankhodhwoni Bajey Sankato Dukkho Traataa Jano Gano Potho Parichaayako,Jayo Hey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey,Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey	The way of life is somber as it moves through ups and downs,But we, the pilgrims, have followed it through ages. Oh! Eternal Charioteer, the wheels of your chariot echo day and night in the path In the midst of fierce revolution, your conch shell sounds. You save us from fear and misery Oh! You who guide the people through tortuous path... Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!
Stanza 4:-
Ghoro Timiro Ghono Nibiro,Nishithey Peerito Murchhito Deshey Jagrato Chhilo Tabo Abicholo Mangalo,Noto Nayoney Animeshey Duhswapney Aatankey,Rokkhaa Koriley Ankey Snehamoyi Tumi Maataaa Jano Gano Duhkho Trayako,Jayo Hey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey,Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey	During the bleakest of nights,when the whole country was sick and in swoon Wakeful remained Your incessant blessings,through Your lowered but winkless eyes Through nightmares and fears,You protected us on Your lap Oh Loving Mother Oh! You who have removed the misery of the people... Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!
Stanza 5:-
Raatri Prabhatilo Udilo Rabichhabi, Purbo Udayo Giri Bhaaley Gaahey Bihangamo Punyo Samirano, Nabo Jibano Rasho Dhaley Tabo Karunaaruno Ragey,Nidrito Bhaarato Jagey Tabo Chorone Noto Maatha Jayo Jayo Jayo Hey, Jayo Rajeshwaro, Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey,Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey	The night is over, and the Sun has risen over the hills of the eastern horizon. The birds are singing, and a gentle auspicious breeze is pouring the elixir of new life. By the halo of Your compassion India that was asleep is now waking On your feet we lay our heads Victory, Victory, Victory be to You, the Supreme King, the dispenser of the destiny of India!

Whereas the song "Jana gana mana" actually consists of 5 stanzas only the 1st stanza is taken as the national anthem of INDIA.

What some famous personalities have to say about Sachin Tendulkar

1. "I want my son to become Sachin Tendulkar." -Brian Lara(WI)

2. ''V did not lose 2 a team called India, v lost 2 a man called Sachin'' - Mark Taylor(aus)

3. 'Nothing bad can happen 2 us if v were on a plane in India wit Sachin Tendulkar on it.''-Hashim Amla(SA)

4. ''He can play that leg glance with a walking stick also.-Waqar Younis(Pak)

5. ''There r 2 kind of batsman in the world. 1 Sachin Tendulkar and 2. all the others .-Andy Flower(ZIM)

6. "I have seen God. He bats at no.4 for India in tests.-Matthew Hayden(AUS.)

7. "I c myself when i c Sachin batting.-Don Bradman(AUS)

8. "Do your crime when Sachin is batting, bcos even God is busy watching his batting. -Australian Fan

The Best One :---

9. Barack Obama - "I don't know about cricket but still I watch cricket to see Sachin play..Not b'coz I love his play its b'coz I want to know the reason why my country's production goes down by 5 percent when he's in batting"...

4 Word Sacred Mantra to Trigger Enlightenment

Zen Teachings: Advaita Vedanta (non-dualism): Enlightenment

These 4 words are the greatest mantra in the Universe.  If you can chant this mantra sincerely, Enlightenment is yours.  In fact if you can chant this mantra sincerely, you have completed your evolution and nature will no longer include you in the cycles of life and death.  Here is a story to demonstrate the incredible power of this mantra.

Raja Antkarma was a tremendously powerful emperor.  He had performed the Ashwamedha Yagna (where a special horse roams all the kingdoms and if stopped by any king war is declared and the defiant king must be defeated) successfully and was considered the ruler of the known world.  Filled with this great sense of power he summoned his wise court adviser, Guptjeet, and asked him, "Tell me Guptjeet, is there any man on this planet known to you who is more powerful that me?"

Guptjeet, knowing his response was not what the King was looking to hear said, "O Lord, you have performed Ashwamedha Yagna, you have conquered all known kingdoms and are ruler of this world."

"GUPTJEET! You have not answered my question.  Don’t play games with me.  Give me a straight answer," barked the King back.

"My Lord, if you insist.  You are not the most powerful man I know.  Zen Master Blumise is more powerful than even you," replied Guptjeet directly.

The King was bewildered.  A Zen monk, more powerful than him??  This he had to see for himself, so, Zen Master Blumise was immediately summoned to the palace the very next day. 

The next day…

A great hush fell over the entire court as Master Blumise made his way in.  The very atmosphere seemed to get charged as he walked towards the throne.  He moved so gracefully he almost seemed to float in the air.  All the members of the court were mesmerized by this mysterious, gentle, yet obviously self-assured old man.  Even the flowers seemed to turn and bow to him as he passed by them silently.

"My Lord," said Master Blumise bowing.  "You have called for me.  How can I be of service?"

"Greetings Zen Master," replied the King, also evidently shaken by the mere presence of the man now standing confidently in front of him.  "I had summoned you here as I was informed that you are more powerful than me.  As much as I hate to admit it, now that I have met you, I have to agree that this is true.  You have no crown, no army, no weapons, no wealth, but, you exude incredible palpable power.  I pray you tell me the secret of this unearthly strength you posses?"

Master Blumise smiled.  Pretended to think for a moment and then said, "Great King.  I will tell you my secret, but, first you must give me what I ask."

"Ask away," replied the King, eager to be proxy to this great wisdom.

"So be it, I will tell you… if you give me your kingdom," Master Blumise requested casually.

A murmur spread through the court.  The King was also taken aback.  He tried to think fast.  "Master Blumise, I cannot do that as I have promised the Kingdom already to my eldest son.  Please ask for something else."

"Very well," replied Master Blumise and with a twinkle in his eye asked, "You have a most beautiful queen.  I will tell you if you let me sleep with her."

The King turned red.  All sorts of violent thoughts coursed through his head, but, gathering himself he replied with as much composure as he could, "Master Blumise! Please you ask too much.  Something else perhaps?"

"Ok," said Master Blumise obviously enjoying this dialogue immensely.  "I will tell you in exchange for your eyes."

"No, Master Blu…" exclaimed the King back.

"Ok, just your left eye," interjected Blumise and before the King could reply he continued.  "You see great King this is why I am more powerful than you.  It is because the following 4 words are true for me and not true for you.  These 4 words are I Don’t Want Anything.  Not wanting anything makes me completely invincible and fearless.  You want and thus are attached to your kingdom, your wife, your body etc.  I am attached to nothing.  I seek nothing.  I want nothing.  Thus, I am untouchable.  This is the secret to not only great power, but, is also the secret to enlightenment."

Upon hearing these words, Guptjeet was immediately enlightened.  This insight exploded within him and all chasing spontaneously ceased.  All seeking ended.  A great freedom descended on him and he laughed at the comedy of it all.  Enlightenment was always so near and the only thing keeping it away was the ever wanting mind.

Of all the mantras this is one to embrace.  "I Don’t Want Anything!"  If it’s true for you, you are free, if it’s not true, you are still a prisoner.  

Rabindranath Tagore:In Conversation with H. G. Wells

TAGORE: The tendency in modern civilization is to make the world uniform. Calcutta, Bombay, Hong Kong, and other cities are more or less alike, wearing big masks which represent no country in particular.

WELLS: Yet don't you think that this very fact is an indication that we are reaching out for a new world-wide human order which refuses to be localized? 

TAGORE: Our individual physiognomy need not be the same. Let the mind be universal. The individual should not be sacrificed. 

WELLS: We are gradually thinking now of one human civilization on the foundation of which individualities will have great chance of fulfillment. The individual, as we take him, has suffered from the fact that civilization has been split up into separate units, instead of being merged into a universal whole, which seems to be the natural destiny of mankind. 

TAGORE: I believe the unity of human civilization can be better maintained by linking up in fellowship and cooperation of the different civilizations of the world. Do you think there is a tendency to have one common language for humanity? 

WELLS: One common language will probably be forced upon mankind whether we like it or not. Previously, a community of fine minds created a new dialect. Now it is necessity that will compel us to adopt a universal language. 

TAGORE: I quite agree. The time for five-mile dialects is fast vanishing. Rapid communication makes for a common language. Yet, this common language would probably not exclude national languages. There is again the curious fact that just now, along with the growing unities of the human mind, the development of national self-consciousness is leading to the formation or rather the revival of national languages everywhere. Don't you think that in America, in spite of constant touch between America and England, the English language is tending toward a definite modification and change? 

WELLS: I wonder if that is the case now. Forty or fifty years ago this would have been the case, but now in literature and in common speech it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish between English and American. There seems to be much more repercussion in the other direction. Today we are elaborating and perfecting physical methods of transmitting words. Translation is a bother. Take your poems - do they not lose much by that process? If you had a method of making them intelligible to all people at the same time, it would be really wonderful. 

TAGORE: Music of different nations has a common psychological foundation, and yet that does not mean that national music should not exist. The same thing is, in my opinion, probably true for literature. 



WELLS: Modern music is going from one country to another without loss - from Purcell to Bach, then Brahms, then Russian music, then oriental. Music is of all things in the world most international. 

TAGORE: May I add something? I have composed more than three hundred pieces of music. They are all sealed from the West because they cannot properly be given to you in your own notation. Perhaps they would not be intelligible to your people even if I could get them written down in European notation. 

WELLS: The West may get used to your music. 

TAGORE: Certain forms of tunes and melodies which move us profoundly seem to baffle Western listeners; yet, as you say, perhaps closer acquaintance with them may gradually lead to their appreciation in the West. 

WELLS: Artistic expression in the future will probably be quite different from what it is today; the medium will be the same and comprehensible to all. Take radio, which links together the world. And we cannot prevent further invention. Perhaps in the future, when the present clamor for national languages and dialects in broadcasting subsides, and new discoveries in science are made, we shall be conversing with one another through a common medium of speech yet undreamed of. 

TAGORE: We have to create the new psychology needed for this age. We have to adjust ourselves to the new necessities and conditions of civilization. 

WELLS: Adjustments, terrible adjustments! 

TAGORE: Do you think there are any fundamental racial difficulties? 

WELLS: No. New races are appearing and reappearing, perpetual fluctuations. There have been race mixtures from the earliest times; India is the supreme example of this. In Bengal, for instance, there has been an amazing mixture of races in spite of caste and other barriers. 

TAGORE: Then there is the question of racial pride. Can the West fully acknowledge the East? If mutual acceptance is not possible, then I shall be very sorry for that country which rejects another's culture. Study can bring no harm, though men like Dr. Haas and Henri Matisse seem to think that the eastern mind should not go outside eastern countries, and then everything will be all right. 

WELLS: I hope you disagree. So do I! 

TAGORE: It is regrettable that any race or nation should claim divine favoritism and assume inherent superiority to all others in the scheme of creation. 

WELLS: The supremacy of the West is only a question of probably the past hundred years. Before the battle of Lepanto the Turks were dominating the West; the voyage of Columbus was undertaken to avoid the Turks. Elizabethan writers and even their successors were struck by the wealth and the high material standards of the East. The history of western ascendancy is very brief indeed. 

TAGORE: Physical science of the nineteenth century probably has created this spirit of race superiority in the West. When the East assimilates this physical science, the tide may turn and take a normal course. 

WELLS: Modern science is not exactly European. A series of accidents and peculiar circumstances prevented some of the eastern countries from applying the discoveries made by humanists in other parts of the world. They themselves had once originated and developed a great many of the sciences that were later taken up by the West and given greater perfection. Today,Japanese, Chinese and Indian names in the world of science are gaining due recognition. 

TAGORE: India has been in a bad situation. 

WELLS: When Macaulay imposed a third-rate literature and a poor system of education on India, Indians naturally resented it. No human being can live on Scott's poetry. I believe that things are now changing. But, remain assured, we English were not better off. We were no less badly educated than the average Indian, probably even worse. 

TAGORE: Our difficulty is that our contact with the great civilizations of the West has not been a natural one. Japan has absorbed more of the western culture because she has been free to accept or reject according to her needs. 

WELLS: It is a very bad story indeed, because there have been such great opportunities for knowing each other. 

TAGORE: And then, the channels of education have become dry river beds, the current of our resources having been systematically been diverted along other directions. 

WELLS: I am also a member of a subject race. I am taxed enormously. I have to send my check - so much for military aviation, so much for the diplomatic machinery of the government! You see, we suffer from the same evils. In India, the tradition of officialdom is, of course, more unnatural and has been going on for a long time. The Moguls, before the English came, seem to have been as indiscriminate as our own people. 

TAGORE: And yet, there is a difference! The Mogul government was not scientifically efficient and mechanical to a degree. The Moguls wanted money, and so long as they could live in luxury they did not wish to interfere with the progressive village communities in India. The Muslim emperors did not dictate terms and force the hands of Indian educators and villagers. Now, for instance, the ancient educational systems of India are completely disorganized, and all indigenous educational effort has to depend on official recognition. 

WELLS: "Recognition" by the state, and good-bye to education! 

TAGORE: I have often been asked what my plans are. My reply is that I have no scheme. My country, like every other, will evolve its own constitution; it will pass through its experimental phase and settle down into something quite different from what you or I expect.