I recently experienced the technology of receiving the “bar coded boarding pass” on my cell phone, via e-mail, which I could just swipe prior to boarding the aircraft (no paper whatsoever!). This led me to think about the advancements in technology during my lifetime and how we see multiple generations of it in one lifetime of ours – the quartet below is a tribute to that!

When the telegram gave way to the letter,
Communications surely changed for ever;
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better,
Began the era of e-mail on the computer!

Televisions evolved from Black and White to color,
Transformation in displays was much sooner;
Looking beyond the question of projection or plasma,
Began the era of the LCD charisma!

Reading used to be on the old styled book,
Carried it around every corner and nook;
To prevent a pile up that needed a ladder,
Began the era of the e-book reader!

Calls over the wired phone began with the trunk kind,
Slowly and surely happened the liberation of the bind;
Trying to come up with an all-in-one solution,
Began the era of the mobile revolution!

Image Credit: I Love Butter

Popularity: 21%

Immigration issue in America is getting hotter than ever. At a time when the economy needs boosting from all corners – be it technological advancement or the cost cutting measures, the US Congress will dig its own grave if they announce tougher immigration policies which is only one sided. India is going to get affected the most, in one way.

In April 2007, U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (Republican from IOWA) and Dick Durbin (Democrat from Illinois) introduced “The H-1B and L-1 Visa Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act of 2007″ to overhaul the H-1B and L-1 visa programs to give priority to American workers and crack down on employers who apparently deprived qualified Americans of high-skill jobs.

The Act per se seems to have been formed to unearth the fraud in the system, but it seems to me that this is a ploy towards protectionism. America which once boasted of providing shelter to large scale immigrants who wanted to live the American dream seems to be backtracking. Slowly it is moving away from what it stood for. The repercussions of this could be very detrimental to America and its economy especially with the Indians and Chinese forming the bulk of the H1B and L1 applicants – Perhaps they are not taking into consideration of the facts that

· America’s technology is depended on India in many ways – For example, the banking, insurance, core technology etc depend on highly skilled Indian brainpower

· Indian & Chinese tech brains are responsible for some of the highly successful technological startups in the US

· There are several patents that are filed in America, for which contributions from Indians and Chinese are exemplary

· Indians and Chinese are highly competitive and give absolute value for money and thus helps the American companies to survive outside of America

If America wants to be a global power in the coming years, it has to loosen its strings on these highly sensitive issues. There is no two ways about it.

Consider this – India, as an emerging super power economy and an already acknowledged super power in the world of science and technology are capable of driving changes at a pace that no one can imagine. Given the socio-political changes that are happening in India, “Protectionism in America” regarding the H1B visa & L1 visa holders can actually prove to be a blessing in disguise for India.

I see a ripple effect starting to happen. In the 80s and 90s we discovered that there is a brain drain happening from India and China to the Americas. As a result, the American economy grew by leaps and bounds. With the noose tightened for H1Bs and L1s, there is a high possibility of a reverse brain drain happening from America to India and China

Guess what, this will lead to more entrepreneurship in India and China, there by fuelling these economies and taking the country to even higher levels. That simply would mean, America would be in the lurch for want of intellectual capital.

Protectionism only leads to inefficiencies in the system – This has been proven time and again. If America doesn’t open its eyes to realities, then the growth of China and India is imminent.

Immigration issues in America are a blessing in disguise for India – Do you agree?

Image Credit: Takoma Bibelot

Popularity: 32%

When you look at few ancient temples and construction, you wonder how could they achieve it in yore, when there wasn’t enough technology at disposal. But when you realize how they did it, you know that world’s most complex things could be done using common sense and simple techniques.

One of my friend sent me a Youtube link which talks about ancient temples and how were constructed. I just couldn’t stop myself from going through the 6 parts of the series. It is so engrossing to know and understand the history behind them.

While most of travellers to India, like explained by the narrator on this video, restrict their visits to the well known monuments like Taj Mahal. Per statistics only 10% venture south to take a glimpse at these marvellous architectural wonders.

This video and the whole series is a must watch. Here’s the link for you:

Temples of India

I have seen quite a few temples in Belur, Halebeedu, Hampi, Warangal, Nagarkoil and Kanchi. Every time I think of them I just can’t stop wondering. Few others on my list in next few months are Brigadeshwara Temple and Madurai Meenakshi Temple.

I can’t wait to see them!

Image credit: ReefRaff

Popularity: 13%

Change is a much commonly spoken about term, especially when there are problems on hand. Change is now looked at as the new management mantra on the block, even seen as solving the world’s pain. The online and print media seem to love gloomy stories so much, because the ‘depicted’ far-reaching effects of it catches the eye much more than reality does. But, when looked at closely, Change is not only about gloom and doom; it really isn’t all that bad!

I had a pleasant surprise happen to me this past week: It was one of those rare times when the in-flight reading material provided by the airline ended up relevant and up to date! I had recently heard someone talk about the advancements in the field of medical surgery, and this article delved into the modus operandi (I make it sound like daytime robbery, but I didn’t bring any names or occupations!) of alternative ways for treating complicated illnesses, which required a major surgery of some form.

The beauty of the innovation spoken about here was that it did not involve any incisions using advanced technology of sorts, but rather making use of the advancements in genetic engineering. These gene-focused innovations would then be utilized to alter the genes in the human body via oral medications. Imagine someone undergoing a major bypass surgery, without the “surgery” being a part of it! This isn’t a science fiction anymore, so wake up – the scientific community already has a basic understanding of the various pieces to the genetic foundation that make up the human body. The remaining aspect of this true innovation is finding the right strains to alter the inherent genes to an “ideal” form.

Lest this turns into an article about the complicated machinery the human body is, let me back off to say that this is just an example to illustrate the positive transformation, the society at large is undergoing. With this advancement, the medical professionals and the associated experts worldwide predict life expectancy to rapidly improve to the 130′s (age) instead of the current 70′s / 80′s / 90′s (depending on which part of the world one is in).

In the Western culture of today, where it is about being independent and taking care of oneself in retirement, we have folks that work their entire prime years with the sole aim of building up their wealth portfolio so that “they can retire in peace”. For some, this might mean buying a beach condo in ever-sunny Florida, a lodge in the vast lands of the Aussie wilderness, or a Mediterranean-style villa in the beautiful south coast of France (especially the Nice region of the French Riviera – yeah, how I would love to retire there!)

With the current expectancy levels, most people save up enough to last them 20-25 years of comfortable living in retirement without any additional external support. If the expectancy levels rise to a level where people find the need to support themselves for another 60+ years after retirement, what do you think is going to happen? Make no mistake; people will no longer retire at 60.

What does this mean?

No slam dunk answer; it’s much more than that! Put simply: one cannot continue down the rat hole of the so-called specialization. There is going to be a “generalization of the specialists” at some level. I am not saying being good at something doesn’t count for anything; people will be expected to bring in more than one area of expertise. People will be forced to look at reinventing themselves, be multi-faceted. The upside – one has multiple opportunities, to make it big in life.

Think about it – if one career doesn’t cut it for you (note I didn’t say fail because you still learn from that experience), how nice would it be if you have 25 years of it to look back on for experience, and start afresh? Yes, beginning a second career at the second stage of your life might look daunting and even be too big a hurdle for some, but those who embrace the change quickly will thrive.

Change is good; we need more of it coming our way, and quickly at that…after all, isn’t change the only constant in life??

Image Credit: Apesara

Popularity: 8%

I received the following content as an email, while I am not sure of it’s authenticity, I certainly like what was talked about. Very thought provoking and referring to the actions that we need to take. So here it is for your reading.

Quote

DR. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s Speech
Why is the media here so negative?
Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements?
We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?

We are number one in Remote sensing satellites.
We are the second largest producer of wheat.
We are the second largest producer of rice.
We are the world number on in milk production.

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

In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime. Why are we so NEGATIVE?
Few more questions:
Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign televisions, foreign apparel and technology.
Why this obsession for everything that’s imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance?

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

Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours.

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

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

YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (Rs.650) a month to, ‘see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else.’YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, “Jaanta hai main kaun hoon’ (Do you know who  am I?). I am so and so’s son, take your two bucks and get lost.” YOU wouldn’t chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand .

Why don’t YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo ? Why don’t YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston ? We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan. Will the Indian citizen do that here? You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India ?

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

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

What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away.

We run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England. When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Let not just use the Country but lets do what India needs from us.

Thank you

Unquote

Image Credit: Wikipedia

Popularity: 15%

Mobile Commerce with ngpay

Despite the Global Credit Crunch, with almost 5-6m subscribers being added every month the Indian Telecom Industry is the fastest growing one in the world. The mobile population is expected to hover between 325m to 350m by end of 2008, making the mobile based services in India to be a very profitable venture.

The Mobile based services includes a gamut of services apart from just the ringtones and SMS. These services include downloading entertainment content like songs, games etc., buying tickets for travel, entertainment etc, mobile marketing, and mobile banking services. These mobile based services in India can be accessed using SMS or GPRS

According to a report released today by the Internet and Mobile Association of India [IAMAI], the mobile value added services would become a $4 Billion industry by 2010 in India. Anticipating this kind of growth, many companies have mushroomed in the past few years. These companies create content for the mobile based services on the mobile platform.

Of the mobile based services, the most popular is Mobile Commerce which facilitates Mobile banking and transaction services. Mobile Commerce received a shot in the arm when RBI came up with guidelines for mobile banking in Sept ’08. The benefits of Mobile Commerce will be reaped in the rural areas, where it will help strengthen the rural microfinance projects. 

Of the products that have emerged the most popular ones are ngpay, Paymate and mChek. Most of the products offer similar services like  

• Storing Debit Card, Credit Card and the Internet Banking details securely under a pin
• Transactions with the bank like checking the balance, transfer funds etc
• Booking tickets for cinema from multiplexes like the Inox and Adlabs
• Booking tickets for travel from IRCTC, Yatra etc
• Buying gift items, books from Landmark etc
• Paying utility bills, telephone bills, Insurance Premiums

How does it work?

When you make a purchase or any bank transaction, these transactions happen over a 128 bit encrypted network. Once the purchase of a product/ service is done the payment for it can be done using credit card info or internet banking info saved in the phone.

NGPay

One of the popular mCommerce applications is NGPay by JiGrahak Mobility Services. It has tied up with HDFC Bank so that one can do all kinds of bank transactions like checking the balance, funds transfer at the touch of a button on your mobile, booking tickets, buying gifts and paying bills. To use this service one needs to have GPRS enabled in their handsets

How to use the NGPay service 

• Go to the website of NGPay (www.ngpay.com)
• Enter the mobile number to download the application
• Click the link sent and download the application into the phone

Once the application is downloaded, one needs to fill out the personal details along with a 6-digit pin to access the application. This application is secure as the pin is nowhere saved in the phone, but on the NGPay Server. Once the above is done, NGPay will call up to authenticate and confirm the personal details filled up. 

Payment for the products/services can be done by credit card (Mastercard/Visa), HDFC Bank Account, ITZ Cash Cards. 

Once the registration is done one can browse through and add from NGPay’s network of partners (merchants and service providers).

Image Credit: Copyright of ngpay.

Popularity: 16%