INDIA'S CAR FOR THE COMMON MAN

Necessity is the mother of invention . This is very true of the latest invention of TATA motors, India. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group and Tata Motors, said, "I observed families riding on two-wheelers - the father driving the scooter, his young kid standing in front of him, his wife seated behind him holding a little baby. It led me to wonder whether one could conceive of a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport for such a family. Tata Motors' engineers and designers gave their all for about four years to realise this goal”.
Mr. Ratan N. Tata unveiled the Tata 'NANO', the People's Car on 10th January 2008.A development, which signifies for the global automobile industry. The People's Car will be launched in India later in 2008. The 4-seater Nano, with an engine around 625 cc, will have a dealer price of 100,000 rupees, or $2,500. This an ultra cheap, ultra small car, created for the common man in India - and it is an attempt to give millions of Indians the chance to participate in the benefits of India's strong economic growth.
Environmentalists are concerned that making a car affordable to the masses will increase pollution levels and make driving on India’s already crowded roads a nightmare. The chairman hit back saying that the Nano will pollute less than some motorcycles. No kidding, the engine is smaller than some motorcycles. Another concern is that safety has been sacrificed to keep costs down. He also states that the car complies with ’safety norms’, meaning that the car has passed the frontal and side collision tests in India.
I think today we, Indians, need a Car, which is affordable and yet built to meet safety requirements and emission norms, to be fuel efficient and low on emissions. The chairman of the Tata Group says “We are happy to present the People’s Car to India and we hope it brings the joy, pride and utility of owning a car to many families who need personal mobility.” For us Indians it is really a moment of joy, pride and hope.

For further readings. :
http://www.tatapeoplescar.com/tatamotors/
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/01/10/business/10car.php
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/10/tata-nano-the-worlds-cheapest-car/?hp
Kollamkunnel Sebastian.

POPE BENEDICT XVI URGES TO ERADICATE POVERTY FROM THE WORLD

Pope Benedict XVI has launched a scathing attack on globalisation, blaming it for increasing world poverty. He criticized a world with luxury for a few and poverty for many, and called for sober lifestyles to ensure fair distribution of wealth amid a scramble for natural resources during His homily on epiphany.This criticism of the Pope is 100% true of Asian countries especially of India.

In 2007, billionaire Mukesh Ambani (Indian) became the richest person in the world, surpassing American software czar Bill Gates, Mexican business tycoon Carlos Slim Helu and famous investment guru Warren Buffett courtesy the bull run in the stock market.

The Planning Commission of India has estimated that 27.5% of the population was living below the poverty line in 2004–2005. Although India is a fasting developing country, the percentage of poverty also is increasing day by day. Here comes the relevance Pope’s call for the fair distribution of wealth amid a scramble for natural resources.
We can find two types of poverty – rural and urban - in India. India is a more rural based country highly dependent on agricultural sector. Alarming population growth, lack of investment, lower literacy rate, regional inequalities are the important reasons for country's rural poverty. The essential factors of urban poverty are improper training, growing population, slower job growth.

Government's plans and procedures to eliminate poverty ends in failures because of the high percentage of corruption. Egoism and corruption are the major features that prevents the equal distribution of resources. And it causes the growth of poverty day by day. I think the church in India and Government of India must take creative steps to respond to the call of Pope Benedict xvi to eradicate poverty from India.

For further reading :
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20080106_epifania_it.html
http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/oct/29mukesh1.htm

Kollamkunnel Sebastian.

BENAZIR BHUTTO THE LATEST VICTIM OF TERRORISM

Benazir Bhutto is the latest victim of terrorism but not the last. After her who? This is the million-dollar question in Pakistan today. But one should not forget that today terrorism is a global curse and not just a phenomenon of Pakistan or Afghanistan. From the US to the Asian subcontinent, everywhere terror reigns.
AS we know terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. Now develops a new terrorism with a networked structure. Terrorists are now able and willing to develop network forms of organization for the same reason that businesses are. This trend fastens the growth of terrorism in the modern world. Anti-terrorism efforts should be handled strictly by law enforcement as they always were.
Today in countries like India too a silent fear prevails form terrorists. The activities of such organisations have been increasing. But nothing serious has been thought or planned. Countries which are sponsoring terrorism should be boycotted immediately. One Laden is keeping the world on tenterhooks.
Now Pakistani President has sensed the danger. But the same President sponsored terrorism in Kashmir only to destabilise India. Yesterday’s friend is today’s enemy. The Frankenstein is now ready to kill the inventor. Who will come to rescue the world? Terrorism is now a global curse. Bush and Musharraf can curse only themselves for allowing this curse to spread all over the globe.
Terrorism is a serious issue. The terrorists can't win for ever. They can't wreck the economy or inflict other forms of irreparable damage on the nation. Terrorism is the greatest threat that humanity has ever faced. Violence begets more violence. Let us remember that terrorism is a curse which is against the teachings of peace and love.

Further readings :
http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20071228/EDITORIAL/255891412/1013
http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/news/article04/indexn2_html?pdate=281207&ptitle=Benazir:%20A%20life%20of%20achievement%20and%20struggle

Kollamkunnel Sebastian.

ANTI-CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE FLARES IN INDIA AT CHRISTMAS

Three Christians were killed, at least 15 to 20 churches were attacked and three churches burnt down by Hindu fundamentalists in India’s Orissa state on Christmas eve. Protesters are backed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council).
I don’t want to enter in to the details of these attacks and its reasons. Let us have look on the dignity and role of religious tolerance in a multi religious country like India. Of course, the issue of religious tolerance isn’t simply a question of religion’s relationship with the state. It can also be a matter of different religious communities competing for the same souls in the same space. That creates a different set of problems. At their best, religious believers will understand that they have an obligation to treat people of other faiths, or no faith, with justice and charity. The same God created both the faithful and unbelievers, and the same God guarantees the rights and dignity of both. But at their worst, believers have seen unbelievers or different believers as enemies who need to be punished.
India has more than 1 billion people of which about 80% are Hindu, 12% are Muslim, 2.3% are Christian, and 5.7% followers of other religions. A number of world religions originated in India, and others that started elsewhere found fertile ground for growth here.
The Indian constitution’s preamble states that India is a secular state. Freedom of religion is a fundamental right guaranteed by the constitution. Every citizen of India has a right to practice and promote their religions peacefully.
For me religious faith is always personal, but it’s never private. It always has social consequences, or it isn’t real. The mentality of suspicion toward religion is becoming its own form of intolerance. I have seen a kind of secular intolerance develop in our own country over the past two decades.
I think religious intolerance is a kind of blasphemy because it shows contempt for a person’s deepest search for meaning. And sooner or later, for most people, that search leads to God. The right to worship God, and the right to practice, preach, and teach what we believe without harassment are fundamental to the human person. They’re part of the foundation of human dignity.

For futher readings :

http://www.indianexpress.com/story/253999.html
http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/09/stories/2007120953731100.htm
Kollamkunnel Sebastian.

GLOBALISATION IS IN THE VERY NATURE OF INDIANS

Good or bad, globalization has become a fact of life in our twenty-first century world. It produces contrasts at every turn: between old and new, Eastern and Western, rich and poor, traditional and progressive, multinational and local.

Indians by nature are ‘outward bound’, something that is reflected in the country's rich past. India’s engagement with the world is very old. Indians are basically very outward looking people. Even the independence movement which took place in the country was essentially an outward looking movement. But India was never required to conquer other land.

The primary relationship of Indians with the world remain non-political and India is now playing an increasingly global role with its entrepreneurs investing more in the world market and a declining rate of brain drain. Indian history gives ample evidence to the fact that the country was globalized and outward looking during her heydays. India does a complete overhaul of its education and health sectors. But I think India need to balance the respect for brand India with its culture and heritage. India is slowly closing on the dream of becoming one of the front-running economies of the world.

As we know the people around the globe are more connected to each other today than ever before in the history of mankind. Information and money flow more quickly than ever. Goods and services produced in one part of the world are increasingly available in all parts of the world. International travel is more frequent. International communication is commonplace. I believe globalization is inevitable and it has to be benefited various sectors of the Indian economy.

A most common measure of globalisation is openness to trade and a country’s participation in trade. An extensive trade relations existed between Malabar (Kerala) India and the Mediterranean countries even before the Christian era. These relationships made the Apostle Saint Thomas to come to India in AD52, and through him the Christianity and catholic faith. The tolerance of Indians paved the way for the birth and growth different faith and religious traditions and growth of globalisation in India. From the objective point of view it has its own merits and demerits.

For further readings :
http://berchmans.tripod.com/chridx.html
http://www.newkerala.com/one.php?action=fullnews&id=6209

Kollamkunnel Sebastian.

1.829 METRES LONG BANNER ON GLOBAL WARMING

Three thousand students from different schools and colleges have created a 6.000 feet long banner in Puducherry, India to draw public attention on global warming during a science exhibition and set a world record.

The students took almost a week to prepare 6.000 feet (1.829 metres) banner that aims an endorsement in the Guinness Book of World Records besides spreading general awareness. Put on display at the ongoing 34th Jawaharlal Nehru National Science Exhibition since December 5, the mammoth banner highlights the depression of ozone layer and threats posed by global warming. The themes focused in the mega poster have been artistically done with majority of the portion showcasing global warming affecting animals, birds and the nature.

I think one of the most current and widely discussed factor which could lead to the ultimate end of existence of Earth and man is global warming and its devastating effects. Several current trends clearly demonstrate that global warming has direct impact on; rising sea levels, the melting of icecaps, and significant worldwide climatic changes. Actually, the vast majority of the population hasn't even thought about the issue. Global warming is the process in which heat from the sun is trapped in the earth's atmosphere as a result of pollution. What we can do to decrease global warming? We can reduce global warming by driving less and driving more fuel-efficient and less-polluting cars, using energy-efficient appliances, insulating homes, using less electricity in general.

Ignorance is the very reason that so little has been done until now. We, as the most intelligent species, should act as protectors and guardians to all those weaker than we are, and should reconnect with the earth and give a voice for all the inhabitants that can not speak for themselves. As Christians we should lead the way in care for the environment, since we believe and proclaim that God is the Creator of the world.

For further readings :
http://www.indiasnews.com/News-2544261.html
http://www.newkerala.com/india-news.php

Kollamkunnel Sebastian.

INDIA : TOP PROVIDER OF EDUCATION LOANS

On 25th November I made a comment on ‘The latest literacy report of United Nations Development programme’ in my blog. This week I put before you an interesting report form India on education.
India occupied first place in the world in providing education loans, benefiting 10 lakh students till September this year, Indian Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said. The banks in India have sanctioned a total of Rs 14,500 crore as educational loans, he said while inaugurating the 2878th branch of the Bank of India (BOI) at the temple town of Tirunallar, Puducherry,Tamil Nadu.
As an Indian I can say that poor people in India cannot afford to send their children to school. Providing quality education to children is the first priority of every parent. However with increasing cost of living, good education is also becoming dearer. High cost may sometime deter a parent from sending the child for higher education especially for professional courses. Sometimes even working individuals may find the costs prohibitive while wanting to pursue a course for career advancement.
Despite the fact that a professional degree may cost a neat sum of money, more so if acquired from a prestigious institution abroad, one has to accept the fact that such an investment is sure to fetch handsome returns in terms of long-term career prospects. Therefore if cost of a course is the only constraint, it is prudent to take an educational loan and do the course. Investment in higher education also makes sense for the banks and many of them lend money to bright students as educational loans at very affordable rates and attractive terms. Though most of them require some collateral security, equivalent to the loan amount, in form of LIC policy, Government Bonds etc.
Now a good number loans are available for studying in India and abroad. The best feature of such loans is that most banks provide a `loan holiday’ and start recovery even one year after the course is completed and the individual gets into a suitable job. This system will fasten the economic growth and standard of living of India.

For further readings :
http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14573128&cid=2485&name=
http://www.thehindu.com/holnus/002200712091210.htm

Kollamkunnel Sebastian.