As per the oil ministry, the county can no longer take up the subsidy provided to the oil companies and therefore, oil prices are deregulated and will be more market driven. Effect - end consumers will pay a lot more for oil, while the oil companies and the government will laugh their way to the bank.
While I am sure the subsidy given to the oil companies must definitely add up to become a burden for the government, but then the government also makes lot of money through the tax and cess on oil and oil products. And the most important question that comes to my mind is this - if the government could provide the subsidy when crude oil prices were at a historical high last year (around $147 per barrel), why can't the government provide the subsidy now that the prices are almost halved.
Most of you readers can infer that I am coming out with some conspiracy theory, but I for one believe deregulation of oil prices has a lot more to do with RIL's ability to keep up its fuel pumps business, then with subsidy. Because I remember that the government came out with oil bonds last year to support the PSUs during the high crude price period. And Mukesh Ambani had closed fuel retailing stations with the reason that Reliance could no longer operate with the regulated rates of Petrol and Diesel and that oil bonds were not allowed for private companies. With the regulated prices out of the way, oil companies will have to move prices as per the global rates. Effect, Reliance will offer nearly the same petrol and diesel rates as the PSUs and the common man will bear the brunt.
I am sure the government will definitely come out with a way to subsidize fuel for the voter class, or people in the lower-middle and lower class.
7.21.2010
6.08.2010
Republic Day - a consumeristic approach
26th January - Republic day. The day the constitution of this country came into force. The day we are to mark as a respect to the struggles of the freedom fighters, the struggle of establishing a sovereign, democratic republic which is to assure its citizens justice, freedom and liberty.
Pretty serious words and serious ideas. Stark contrast from reality of celebrating the Republic Day in one of the many areas of Lonavala, Mahableshwar, Goa or even Malaysia, Thailand, etc. Better yet - we have shopping bonanza's on Republic day. 'Sabse Sasta Din', '50% off - Republic Day Sale - Hurry". Republic Day has become just one of those holidays in this country - better if it falls close to the weekend.
Pretty serious words and serious ideas. Stark contrast from reality of celebrating the Republic Day in one of the many areas of Lonavala, Mahableshwar, Goa or even Malaysia, Thailand, etc. Better yet - we have shopping bonanza's on Republic day. 'Sabse Sasta Din', '50% off - Republic Day Sale - Hurry". Republic Day has become just one of those holidays in this country - better if it falls close to the weekend.
Leadership is overrated
I have never had much faith in leaders and leadership. I am willing to be charged with anything, rather than being charged a leader.
- Eugene Debs
While I may not particular peeved with leaders or leadership as Eugene Debs is. However I do have a problem with current crop of leaders - be they political, be they businessmen or from the field of sports. My problem is not with the stupid followers, who more often than not, follow somebody who solves their short-term problems at the risk of losing sight of the long-term problems. But then, followers being followers, there's only this much that you can expect from them - to follow like sheep.
My problem is with the leaders - how many of the leaders really question their ability to lead their followers? How many leaders actually ask themselves if they are doing the best they can - and if the the best they can provide their followers is the best they (followers) can get? How many of the current leaders would actually give up the claim to leadership, whether their followers demand it or not, just because they feel they may not be able to handle the responsibility of a leader?
Let me take the example of Sachin Tendulkar here (yes, he is the best example in this cricket crazy nation). Tendulkar is highly talented as a batsmen, arguably the best the world has produced. Tendulkar was brought to the helm of the Indian cricket team in 1996 for the first time. And I am quite sure, that Sachin Tendulkar, being the perfectionist that he is, must have given more than a 100% to the role of captain. However, once look at his record and we realize that he wasn't remotely successful as a captain. Given his lack of success as a captain, in 2000, the baton was passed on to India's second most successful captain, Sourav Ganguly.
Cut to 2007-08 season - Sourav Ganguly was nearly out of the Indian team, thanks to the Greg C episode. Suddenly the question of captaincy loomed large and there were no takers for the job. Given the fact that Sachin had by that time asserted his status as one of the world's very best, I doubt if anyone would have denied him the role of Indian Captain, had he demanded it. However, here's comes the self realization of a good individual - Sachin suggested the name of Mahendra Singh Dhoni for ODI captaincy and denied any interest in heading the Test team as well, resulting in Kumble being made the captain. Reasons could be plenty - but I would like to believe that Sachin thought of following 2-3 points while deciding on not demanding the captaincy role for himself:
1. He's 34 and not getting any younger - and the Indian team needed a young captain for the 2011 world cup campaign.
2. Dhoni's man management skills must have impressed the Little Champion - considering he spent a lot of time chatting up Dhoni in the slips.
3. Given his dismal captaincy record and the lack of man management skills, it wouldn't make sense to take up captaincy again.
Of course, I could also be completely off target as far as the real reasons are concerned, but lets think these are the reasons.
Now, my question is for the current crop of leaders - how many of you actually think or question yourself on your leadership capabilities. I think sometimes its alright to accept that you may not be a good leader. For instance, you may not be a good leader - you may not have the charisma; but you could nevertheless become an efficient executor.
- Eugene Debs
While I may not particular peeved with leaders or leadership as Eugene Debs is. However I do have a problem with current crop of leaders - be they political, be they businessmen or from the field of sports. My problem is not with the stupid followers, who more often than not, follow somebody who solves their short-term problems at the risk of losing sight of the long-term problems. But then, followers being followers, there's only this much that you can expect from them - to follow like sheep.
My problem is with the leaders - how many of the leaders really question their ability to lead their followers? How many leaders actually ask themselves if they are doing the best they can - and if the the best they can provide their followers is the best they (followers) can get? How many of the current leaders would actually give up the claim to leadership, whether their followers demand it or not, just because they feel they may not be able to handle the responsibility of a leader?
Let me take the example of Sachin Tendulkar here (yes, he is the best example in this cricket crazy nation). Tendulkar is highly talented as a batsmen, arguably the best the world has produced. Tendulkar was brought to the helm of the Indian cricket team in 1996 for the first time. And I am quite sure, that Sachin Tendulkar, being the perfectionist that he is, must have given more than a 100% to the role of captain. However, once look at his record and we realize that he wasn't remotely successful as a captain. Given his lack of success as a captain, in 2000, the baton was passed on to India's second most successful captain, Sourav Ganguly.
Cut to 2007-08 season - Sourav Ganguly was nearly out of the Indian team, thanks to the Greg C episode. Suddenly the question of captaincy loomed large and there were no takers for the job. Given the fact that Sachin had by that time asserted his status as one of the world's very best, I doubt if anyone would have denied him the role of Indian Captain, had he demanded it. However, here's comes the self realization of a good individual - Sachin suggested the name of Mahendra Singh Dhoni for ODI captaincy and denied any interest in heading the Test team as well, resulting in Kumble being made the captain. Reasons could be plenty - but I would like to believe that Sachin thought of following 2-3 points while deciding on not demanding the captaincy role for himself:
1. He's 34 and not getting any younger - and the Indian team needed a young captain for the 2011 world cup campaign.
2. Dhoni's man management skills must have impressed the Little Champion - considering he spent a lot of time chatting up Dhoni in the slips.
3. Given his dismal captaincy record and the lack of man management skills, it wouldn't make sense to take up captaincy again.
Of course, I could also be completely off target as far as the real reasons are concerned, but lets think these are the reasons.
Now, my question is for the current crop of leaders - how many of you actually think or question yourself on your leadership capabilities. I think sometimes its alright to accept that you may not be a good leader. For instance, you may not be a good leader - you may not have the charisma; but you could nevertheless become an efficient executor.
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