Sunday, March 25, 2007

Just punishment for the Indian Cricket Team

They have hit us in the heart and made us all weep for their failure. Let us hit them in their pockets where they have stashed their gain from the advertisements and endorsements.

Each player in the team should be asked to give back atlease 50% of his income from other sources since the last world cup. The funds collected should be used to start a Cricket Academy which can spot and train new players.

And yes, the players in the current team should also be asked to do community-service by giving free coaching and training at the Academy till the next world cup.

Howzzat?

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

How to bring about an end to the War in Iraq

I think Bush and Cheney should be impeached ASAP for starting this illegal war on false grounds and misleading representations and continuing to cause irrepairable damage to another nation. They can also be charged with inciting genocide. The American Public better act fast to put a stop to this carnage.

The Democrats have enough majority in the Capitol to bring about an end to Bush's presidency. Then whoever becomes the new President can apologise for USA's role and appeal to United Nations to bring together a peace-keeping army to Iraq, which can be supported by all of Iraq's neighbours. That will be the real "Coalition of the Willing"

With Iran and Saudi Arabia backing such a force, the Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq will see the advantage of stopping the sectarian strife. The USA, of course should pay massively for the re-construction of Iraq. The Oil production can be increased and the Iraqi citizens can benefit from the present high prices of Oil, which is their national resource.

Any takers?

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Waiting for Surgery in New Zealand

In New Zealand, waiting for surgery has become a hot topic of debate and there are stories of people on the waiting list for years together and also of being bumped off the list altogether.
Private health insurance is a costly option and not everyone can afford or have it.
The health system is struggling to meet the demand for surgeries.

However I am really puzzled as to why these surgeries are called "elective surgeries". No one elects to have a surgery unless it is plastic surgery to improve ones features. All other surgeries are forced upon people because of their medical/sick conditions and they all should get treatment immediately. Otherwise what is the health system there for? It appears that they are practising some sort of "selective surgery", making people wait till they cant bear the pain of their ailment or till they become life-threatening. Not a healthy state of affairs.

I understand it is all because of lack of enough medical practitioners, surgeons, nurses, hospital facilities, etc. But the long-term solution for that would be to promote medical education more widely and if necessary to start few more Universities devoted to medicine and nursing education. I am sure the private sector and even overseas educational institutions would welcome such an investment opportunity. Which incidentally may also divert funds from the residential housing sector, which the Reserve Bank is trying to cool down.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Names- Meanings

As promised in the earlier blog, here are the meanings of the Names I like


Medhini (G)- Earth
Medhavee (U)- Omni-scient, One who has all knowledge and wisdom
Manini-Name for Mahalakshmi, One who is worship-worthy

Abhu – One who creates himself , also Unborn (so undying)
Vibhu- Ever living

Sahasrajit- One who overcame thousands of enemies
Anantajit- One who personifies Victory, Unbeatable
Shatrujit – Victorious against all enemies

Abhay- Protector
Nirbhay – Fearless

Dhanvee (U)- The best archer, unbeatably skilled with the bows and arrow
Dharmee – Source/Holder of all Dharmas (good conduct, habits, practices)
Vaakmee- Source of the Word and Speech
Swasthee – Personification of Peace and Prosperity
Vathsee- Father of all beings
Lakshmi -Wealth
Padmee -Lotus
Brahmee- One who is worshipped by Brahma, Brahma’s Lord
Amanee – One who is not pompous or self-gloating

Jitamanyu - Angerless
Jithaamithra – Victorious against internal (provoked by the senses and mind) and external

Virochan – Shining like Sun and Moon
Ravilochan – One who has Sun and Moon for his eyes

Adhbuth- Wonderful (which can’t be easily experienced)
Athruth – One who does not require any support or help, Supremely self-suffiecient

Ghathakraja – Worshipful who can be pleased by chanting of mantras
Gharudhathwaja- One who has Garuda on his flag (Garuda the Eagle carries Lord Vishnu)

Vachaspathi – One who knows all Vedas and Epics
Udharanee – The perfect example
Udharathee – Beneficient, Giver, Philanthrophist

Sumedha- Supremely Wise
Sathyamedha- Wise and Truthful

Vasuretha – Golden and One who is Gold himself
Viswaretha- One who created the Universe
Vasupradha – Wealthy also One who takes away all sins

Kesava- One who has the beautiful, black and curly hair
Kesiha - One who killed Kesi, the demon sent to destroy him

Sridharan- One who has Lakshmi (Wealth and Happiness)
Srikaran – One who does good, One who offers bounties

Srinidhi- Wealth of Lakshmi
Mahanidhi- All/supremely Wealthy

Adhathaa – Invincible
Vidhatha-One who gets things done and gives rewards for the deeds also One who carries the Universe
Avignyatha – One who knows everything but also one who does not want to know the deficiencies of his adherents

Sathayavan – Personification of Truth
Lakshmivan- One who holds Lakshmi in his heart (Lakshmi is Vishnu’s wife and consort)Aathmavan- Source of life in all living things

Ekaathma – One who lives in all beings
Ameyathma- One who has uncountable forms/avatars
Khabeeraathma – Unknowable, Supreme
Samaathma- One who is supremely impartial
Viswaathma- Life of the Universe and all beings

Visudhaathma – Blemishless
Vidheyaathma – Ever available for His adherents
Vijidhaathma – One who has mastered all senses and enemies

Padmanabha- One who has Lotus on his navel, which is the seat of Brahma the creator
Ratnanabha – One who has diamond like navel(for twin boys)

Mahaan- Role Model in Conduct and Character
Srimaan – One who has Lakshmi and all the wealth she represents

Vasudevan (Hidden, Unknown, Unreachable or Unknowable)-
Sankarshnan ( One who takes in the whole Universe on its last day)-
Anirudhhan(One who cannot be stopped)-
Prdyumnan (Owner of uncountable wealth and prosperity)
Vishwaksenan- Lord Vishnu’s Commander-in-Chief, also Lord Vishnu himself

Veerabhahu – One with the strongest arms
Vithbhanu- One who knows everything, Supremely intelligent and knowledgeable

Sushenan – One who has the most beautiful and powerful army
Sugoshan- One who creates the holy sound (This was also the Conch carried by Lord Krishna during the Mahabaratha battle)

Srashtaa – Creator of the Universe and all things and beings
Shreshtaa- The Best ever, nobody can exceed him or her in anything

Vishnu- Omni-present
Sahishnu- Tolerant, One who controls his senses


I think I will keep adding to this list

Pirate of the Caribbean-Cricket World Cup predictions

This is the year of Cricket and the Greats and Minnows are soon going to bat it out in the sunny Caribbean. Who will be the successful Pirate of the Caribbean?

I am thinking that this time around it would be a bowlers' cup and the teams with the strongest and consistent bowling attack would have the best chance. Based on that my money is on either South Africa or Sri Lanka. Both have good bowling attacks and their batsmen can always give good totals for the bowlers to defend.
Australia is not yet in the game because it does not have good bowlers with Lee not playing and others not yet upto the mark. But that may change as the competition progresses. They are a fighting team and fantastic pack-hunters so can't really write them off.
New Zealand is showing some promise with a revived batting line-up, but their bowlers including Vettori are sliding.
England is an enigma. Do they have a good team play? They should be okay for a couple of good matches, but I dont see them going into the finals.
West Indies could give a run for the money but I am not sure they have the staying power, what with their mercurial attitude to the game.
Pakistan could throw a spanner in the works/plans of the major teams and they are the ones who can beat South Africa and spoil their chances.
India would be a dark horse, provided they hit the stride well and early.
It would be great if one of the minnows make it to the semi-finals to give a shock to the established teams.
But one thing is certain, it would be great fun to watch and follow the cup.

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Names I like

I like the following names, most of which are from the list of 1000 names by which Lord Vishnu is worshipped in a Sanskrit Poem from the Great Hindu Epic Mahabharatha. I wish I have my own children to give some of these names to, but I am listing them here, so those who like them can use them. Some of them are girl's names indicated as such and some are uni-sex names.

Medhini (G)
Medhavee (U)
Manini
Abhu
Vibhu
Sahasrajit
Anantajit
Shatrujit
Abhay-Nirbhay (Names for twin boys)
Dhanvee (U)
Dharmee
Vaakmee
Swasthee
Lakshmi and Padmee (for twin girls)
Brahmee
Amanee
Jitamanyu
Jithaamithra
Virochan
Ravilochan
Adhbuth-Athruth (names for twin boys)
Ghathakraja
Gharudhathwaja
Vachaspathi
Udharanee
Sumedha-Sathyamedha (for twin girls or boys)
Vasuretha
Vasupradha
Kesava-Kesiha (for twin boys)
Sridharan-Srikaran (for twin boys)
Srinidhi-Mahanidhi (for twin girls)
Vidhatha
Avignyatha
Sathayavan
Lakshmivan
Aathmavan
Ekaathma
Khabeeraathma
Samaathma
Viswaathma
Vidheyaathma
Vijidhaathma
Padmanabha-Ratnanabha (for twin boys)
Mahaan-Srimaan (for twin boys)
Vasudevan-Sankarshnan-Anirudhhan-Prdyumnan (Krishna and his 3 brothers)
Veerabhahu
Vithbhanu
Sushenan
Sugoshan
Srashtaa
Shreshtaa

Look out for the meanings of above names in future blogs

Monday, March 05, 2007

A Good Start to Peace between the Arab Sects

I am very heartened by the meeting between King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and President Ahmedinejad when both of them declared their intention to work to stop the sectarian strife in Iraq.
This is the most important and positive development that has happened in the Middle East. This meeting is very historical and I am glad they did not need the intervention of any outside force or institution to have organised this meeting and joint statement.
I have been maintaining that the Arabs themselves are the best people to solve their problems and utilise their valuable resource of Oil for the benefits of their population.
Sunnis and Shiites are brethren following the same religion and Allah and Prophet Mohammed and they should not be fighting among themselves.
I hope this meeting will lead to further talks between the leaders of both sects, may be under the auspices of GCC or OIC and a way to completely stop the fighting in Iraq and other places will be worked out. I fervently wish that US or other Western countries do not interrupt this process or throw a spanner in the works. Their interests are different and do not have the prosperity of Arabs as their first priority.
The Arabs should move with utmost speed on this positive start and wrap up an action plan to bring the fighting in Iraq to an end and start on the path or reconstruction. The oil money can play an important role in this and the leaders like the Saudi King and Iranian President should administer the process with the blessings and co-operation of all Arab countries.Insha Allah, Peace will come to the region soon.

Saturday, March 03, 2007

Wrong justification for immoral acts

The lawyer who represented the Asst PC who was acquitted in the sex abuse scandal twice in 2 years has said that it is not a crime for the APC to have engaged in group sex as according to him more than half of New Zealanders engage in group sex.
The point is not whether half the NZ population have had group sex, the point is if half or a majority of population does something, does it make it acceptable or pleasant or legal.
How about smoking or drinking then? If it is acceptable because only a large percentage of population is doing it, then our laws should be re-written and continuously updated to reflect that percentage. Is that what the esteemed lawyer wants? How absurd to justify something on the basis of number of people doing it?
There are two courts, legal and public opinion. The lawyer should remember that public opinion can result in modification of law in a democracy. So what is okay or escapable today may not be so tomorrow. And then the same lawyer will have to live and practise the revised law.
Also, the standard of behaviour expected of a public servant is higher and it is clear that the accused had not lived up to that and have brought disrepute to the institution of Police. They have to pay the price for their behaviour.

Friday, March 02, 2007

Should there be a legal time limit to report and invetigate sex crimes ?

There is a debate about imposing a statute of limitation on allegations, investigation and prosecution of sex crimes.

A sex crime is the most violent form of invasion of privacy and is worse than murder because the victim is left to live with the consequences.

However in their own interests, the victims would benefit by reporting the crime as soon as they are able to do so, so evidence can be collected and prosecution can be started early to resolve the case soonest.

Having a time limitation for reporting and investigating such claims, may on the face of it appear unjust to the victims. But mandating such a limitaion clause is not a bad idea, because this would also compel victims to report such cases soon. Furthermore, this would give a chance to the accused to be either cleared or convicted of the charges (under due process of law) and would let them get on with their lives, one way or other. If they are guilty, then society would benefit by their early prosecution and conviction and sentencing. If not, they won't have to be surprised much later in their lives by such accusations, which may affect them and their families differently at a different stage in their lives.

So yes, having a very reasonable limitation period for reporting, investigating and prosecuting such sex crimes would benefit the society and the Courts.

Cops found Not Guilty-Was Justice done in Full ?

Three NZ cops including an Assistant Commissioner of Police have been found not guilty yesterday by a panel of Jury in the case where they were accused of indecenlty assulting and sexually violating a young girl several years ago. They were acquitted of a similar case in 2005 also.

I am a little puzzled by the law in the above cases.

When there is no evidence other than the 'She said, He said-He did, She did' evidence of the Plaintiff and the Defendants, the case has to be decided only on the credibility of the parties involved. In that case, should not the earlier history and conviction of any party be put before the juries to make up their minds as to who is likely to have lied and who is likely to have told the truth. What is the prosecution's responsibility in such cases? Should they not have insisted and got the permission to reveal the history of the defendants before taking on the case?

It appears that though justice was done, it does not seem to have been done in full. Am I the only person feeling that some good opportunities have been lost to uphold the integrity of the Justice system in this great country?

The web-link for this is http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10426607

How nice if it is possible for women to have a camera implanted on them so such incidents can be recorded as they happen so they can get justice if they so need it ?