The object of happiness

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Rajiv Kapoor

THE ROAD TO <b>HAPPINESS</b> – A MUST SEE

One often wonders if being frugal and thrifty; may be the ultimate weapons to use, in the pursuit of happiness. The words of Franklin that, “A penny saved is a penny earned”, maybe the last words in this philosophy, and no wonder we feel great; when we get a bargain. On the other hand if nobody spends, there will be no economy; so spend, we must. The challenge remains on how to remember the important stuff, while leading our everyday life. We need to experience this world; as life is more memorable, only when we make an effort to enjoy our journey here. Above all we need to remember the fact, that happiness is not an object, but just a condition of one’s mind. It is not from obtaining objects that one attains happiness. Objects are transitory and one often loses interest soon after acquiring one.We deserve a good life and life well lived begets happiness.

We need to chill and take more vacations and just enjoy the moments. It is from our existential experiences that our states of happiness arise. We do not need wealth and expensive objects, to make oneself happy. A great time spent traveling and being with people one loves; is a greater boost to the state of everyone’s happiness, than say buying a diamond ring. We do need enough to live comfortably; but beyond that the pursuit of objects, which is becoming a part of modern life, is not sustainable. Hence we see the widespread unhappiness, even as we continue to consume more.

Our happiest moments come from our experiences; and the more pleasant can often revive our spirits, even in the future. It is well known that happier people also earn more, and are often more successful. If we take care of our state of mind and change our thinking, to look at world more optimistically, then the universe will conspire with us. We only have to live here and experience the universe around us; and soon we will have all we need, and our good vibrations will spread outwards. Others around us will become happier, and then we can say in empathy, that yes, this is a life well worth living. So just relax and learn to enjoy this moment, as it is all we have.

The object of happiness lies within me; and let me spread it out around me. Only then can I say, that yes I have lived a good life.

Value education

Posted on November 29, 2014 by Rajiv Kapoor

Professor K Mohammed writing in the Companion.in in Dec has written very favorably for Value Education across the world. He quotes that the very purpose of : “Education is the creation of a sound mind in a sound body. It develops man’s faculty, especially his mind so that he may be able to enjoy the contemplation of supreme truth, goodness and beauty of which perfect happiness essentially consists”. – Aristotle.

The Prof goes on to say and I quote:

“It is very important to keep in mind that a balanced development of harmonious and integrated personality is impossible if the educational system does not inculcate proper values and morals. Not only in India but also world – wide arouse a cry for back to basic values and for nourishing human values and morality among the youth. Each and every one who is in the field of education should bear in the mind that human being is not a mere matter or material, but they are the only creature in this world having discriminative power to select their own life style. Thus they can be superior with upright morals and characters by doing great and merciful deeds. Otherwise they will be inferior to the cattle and more harmful than the wild animals by doing mischievous deeds. The Holy Quran says “They have hearts wherewith they understand not, eyes wherewith they see not, and ears wherewith they hear not. They are like cattle, – nay more misguided (than the cattle) : for they are heedless (7:179). If we are looking into the Holy books of various religions we can see that all the religions are arguing for development of values. India is the country where 99% of people are believers and having a heritage of high values. All the education commissions and educationists in India and all over the world are arguing for value education. Thus the system of higher education must be changed into value based education. We can work together for that and buildup a more strong nation.”

There is no question that the teaching of moral and good social and historical cultural values, which show our diversity, while building our common bonds into a human destiny; is sadly lacking, in our modern education system. There is more emphasis on basic math and science and not enough on moral education, or history and the arts. We need to teach our succeeding generations; on how to become better social animals, who take care of our environment and ourselves with a higher purpose. A common core of meditation and study of holy passages should be introduced; as designed by Prof Eknath Easwaran at the University of CA, would be one of the many options. A mandatory course on cultural study of the common values of humanity; and what makes us more loving, compassionate and ready to work with each other as equals, is essential for the development of our young ones.

The Value Education curriculum could be cloned into all divisional locations, in all States of India. The High Schools and Colleges and Universities already exist, and it is only a matter of introducing the Subject, on the Core curriculum of the student skills. This can easily be done through digital and electronic means, minimizing the costs of instruction and need for instructors to travel extensively. After doing introductory sessions for a week; they can work remotely with the students, through smart phones or computers. It will be possible to educate millions in this way as digitization and mass reproduction of high quality sound and video are now easily available; and can be as easily distributed via the internet, or even physically as recorded course materials.

Passages will be chosen from across all religions, and from some of the most saintly and compassionate personalities; who have come before us. They have experienced what it is to have a higher calling, and have said it best. A secular education that praises all higher human endeavors, is needed.

Any secular modern education system that is not based on creating the right values; is a waste, as it will take us further away from nature, and our basic good instincts. As evolving creatures we need to strive for the highest goals, and study is the first step to practice. As we spread awareness and show the next generations the advantages of meditation and high moral values; we can hope finally for a better tomorrow, with less human strife and more human compassion.

Our journey is just a blip on the evolutionary scale of this universe; and we have to teach our children not to destroy the earth and each other, but instead find the way to live in harmony with Mother Nature and to prosper together. We have the whole universe out there to welcome us; if we can only get our minds to rise to the occasion, through the adoption of a better Value Education. Our evolutionary legacy must be to teach our children to lead a life of purpose, in support of humanity’s highest vales.

Opportunities in Renewable energy

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Rajiv Kapoor

According to the IEA as per amorales2@bloomberg.net “Renewable use in electricity generation is on the rise and will account for almost half the global increase in generation by 2040, according to the report. It said about 7,200 gigawatts of generating capacity needs to be built in that period to keep pace with rising demand and replace aging power stations.

The share of renewables in power generation will rise to 37 percent in countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, according to the IEA.

It said that globally, wind power will take more than a third of the growth in clean power; hydropower accounts for about 30 percent, and solar 18 percent. Wind may produce 20 percent of European electricity by 2040, and solar power could take 37 percent of summer peak demand in Japan, it said.”

The leaders in the energy field have to be thinking about generating 1,000s of gigawatts of renewable energy from wind, hydro, solar, biogas, in the coming decades as per the report. We have to wean ourselves away from fossil fuels and reduce the greenhouse gasses effect on climate change. If temperatures continue to rise along with smog (as evident in China today) from the increased use of fossil fuels, we could be looking at a dangerous future for our coming generations. The quicker we change to renewal energy the better for our planet and our environment. A 3.5 degree rise in temperature may not sound like much, but it could cause havoc in storms; and cause instability in nature as a warming trend takes place. This will have unintended consequences of widespread floods or droughts, as weather patterns will be effected around the world.

These dire consequences need to be avoided, and it will help to create millions of jobs for people. Firstly will be the labor required to install efficient renewal forms of energy at an unprecedented scale. Secondly will be all the services, industry and entertainment that will spring up; to meet the needs of the billions of consumers. In an internet of everything world, energy is the bloodline; that unites it all. Have we finally found, the one ring to bind us all; in a world wide web of astral identities, and characters, on this stage of our digital world?

Not only will modern cities be more conscious of renewals; and their environment footprints, but will recycle and become more self-sufficient in their energy and water needs. Urban designs need to change to denser models; where basic amenities can be provided, on a grand scale, to the poorest of the poor. Energy efficiency, its production and storage will become the hallmark of any great city, and the ones naturally proficient will benefit more.

While building the infrastructure for renewals, we will in parallel have to build the distribution system; that will become the arteries of light, in a planned human development. There industries and social services will be delivered to the masses in a new digital world powered by this new source of energy. The elite of course will enjoy the benefits of this energy boost, by grabbing more power, as they have the capital to invest in this new world and technology.

All this must be done while preserving the current state of nature and the environment. Development for humans must not come at the cost of a single other species, as we cannot become the arbitrators; of evolution. We have to coexist with our environment, or will pay the heavy price; of our survival itself. Natural environments and laws can be measured, and we can use this renewal energy; to right the numerous wrongs, we have done to our environments already.

By 2040 a lot of us may be dead, if our environment continues to be neglected, and what kind of earth will we leave behind for our inheritors? I leave you with the somber fact that the:” Earth is also on target for its hottest year ever recorded, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as reaching the highest level of atmospheric carbon dioxide in at least 800,000 years.” We need to fight this on a war footing, and not wait; to become victims of our own evolution.

Solar energy by 2050

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Rajiv Kapoor

The IEA expects global solar power” with the highest clean-energy deployment, to reach 4,600 gigawatts of photovoltaic capacity in 2050 from about 150 gigawatts now. That would involve annual investments more than doubling to an average of US$225-billion.

For concentrating solar, which involves mirrors that heat steam to generate electricity (shown above), the agency reiterated its vision for about 1,000 gigawatts by 2050 from about 4 gigawatts now. It sees both technologies as complementary.

This explosive growth in solar installations will be driven by further price drops. The cost of electricity from photovoltaic projects will fall by an average 25 percent by 2020, 45 percent by 2030 and 65 percent by 2050, the IEA said. This implies a levelized cost of power of as little as $56 a megawatt-hour for large plants and $78 on rooftops.” (as per Bloomberg)

Hopefully India will revamp its babu’s and legal systems; as without it, progress will be very limited. To become a global solar producer, India needs an appropriate regulatory frameworks; with well-designed electricity markets, away from the current inefficient State electricity boards, to a modern National grid. Huge investments from disinvestments, in other sectors, will be critical to achieve this potential; and global scale projects, will be required to make it happen from an already strapped Finance Ministry.

Energy security should be at the top of any future India development list; along with education, healthcare and the reduction of inequality and poverty. It should be pursued aggresively; as we have the technology, and the extreme need, of an energy starved billion people. Renewal energy independence is the need of the hour; and solar is one of the pillars of this foundation, along with hydro, nuclear, wind, biogas.

Will the 21st century belong to Indian women?

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Rajiv Kapoor

When I think of the future of India within the cloud of gloom and doom from the local papers, I am encouraged by the 100,000 women employees at Tata Consulting Services; as my firm belief is that a well educated women work force, will be the hallmark of modern India. The day is not far off when a 100 million of such women will join the workforce; if India develops its education and training resources, to meet its own needs. It will be one of the greatest game changers in the global economy for the next few centuries.

It is not that India has not led the world in GDP before, but we got lost in the medieval and colonial eras; and are only now allowed to pursue our quotient of happiness, in our own way.

The same Bureaucrats and Ministers who previously lorded over their domains are now actually expected to produce a 7 minute video on the first 100 days of the new BJP government in New Delhi. Better governance with minimum government is not something just heard off; as a digital India is emerging, with ID cards and bank accounts for more people than ever in our history. The number of people entering the economy is a staggering number; and they will change the global world, with their aspirations and dreams.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is an agency of the Government of India is responsible for implementing the Aadhaar scheme, a unique identification project. It targets to issue 1 Billion IDs this year. A separate new scheme will help provide bank accounts and life insurance, to selected card holders. This digitalization of society, will help social schemes to grow rapidly in the next decade, and help increase India’s GDP; as increased social investments and subsidies will go directly; into the neediest’ s bank accounts, and not be diluted by the prevalent deep rooted crony corruptions. With 100’s of millions in new employment opportunities in the decades ahead, it will be a bumpy ride; if things are not managed efficiently.

The steady hand of the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India Mr Raghuram Rajan, along with Mr. Jaitely’ s ambitious financial agenda; are sure signs of a good long term view. Despite political backlash he has insisted on meeting the stringent deficit; and the fiscal responsibility shown by the new minister, are only signs of things to come. Inflation is being controlled, and the infrastructure for growth of the Service and Industrial sector; to get them ready to launch, is being laid out.

With victory in Maharashtra and Haryana the Modi wave continues unabated; and as promised foreign investment picks up, it will bring increased global focus to India. Money managers are hungry and will follow a good lead, if they see any future in it. At this moment the story Mr. Modi is laying out of Make in India, is a hopefully a magnet; in attracting hungry flows from tired pension funds, of Japan, Europe and the States, looking for better returns. India’s enormous projects will require massive investments; the Indian young will bear the burden of the old and build a new world, with this imported capital. As the developed world retires, it will be a resurgent India; that will provide the services that they need. For this India will have to overhaul its legal and financial systems; and ensure digital transparency, for its notoriously lax working to improve. Sensible reform is required to dump the old, that is not working; and come up with a simplified framework, that allows prosperity and entrepreneurship, to flourish.

Coming back to my original statements, I strongly believe that the women of India are its future, and they will lead the way. If you ask me why, I ask why for five hundred years they have been held back by history, customs, lack of opportunity, and avenues of empowerment. Now their time has come again, and they will transform our world in a way we cannot imagine today. This is what raises my spirit, when people around me point to the sorry state, which India is in now. The Indian women have carried the heavy burden of underdevelopment for too long; and will lead us to the new world of success, as we unchain the traditions, that have held them back.

Global economic growth

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Rajiv Kapoor

Evidence that the global economy may be unexpectedly stalling has jarred prominent economists and policy makers gathered in Washington for the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. At a conference on Thursday, Lawrence H. Summers, the former United States Treasury secretary who now teaches at Harvard, highlighted this concern.“The defining challenge of our time, economically, is secular stagnation,” he said. “It is the risk of inadequate growth, leading to inadequate potential, leading to inadequate growth.”

Oil is at a four year low in LA and the S & P barely up for the year with volatility rising.

Can India with its ‘Make in India’ slogan revive the hope for growth back into the global economy. Manufacturing is just starting to grow under Obama after the great recession and its multinationals have finally fixed their balance sheets, and are ready for investing billions. India will need Nuclear Plants, Modern Railroads, Ports, Airports, Cities, Technology and infrastructure improvements for well into the next century. There is enough growth potential with its young population; that needs housing, schools, universities, healthcare, factories, retailers and all kinds of services.

There is no better source for cheap American gas to flow to India and the energy be converted into making a modern society. 100 nuclear plants would need to be built, to supply the forecasted demand for India over the next century, along with other renewal energy like wind, solar, bio-gas, tidal, hydro etc. Massive investment into India will provide much needed growth and a lot of money lying on the side at zero interest, would come into this new opportunity.

The only thing holding back the inflow has been the injudicious Indian taxation system; combined with the punitive courts that enforce often confusing archaic laws; forgotten even in the countries, that introduced them. Nightmares due to some random litigation, that could last decades; is just one of the minor hurdles of folks jumping in; as even dipping a toe was just recently allowed, in the largely socialist economy. Massive disinvestment is needed to raise capital from State run enterprises, without allowing associated corruption and litigation, to finance the investments required to close the budgetary gap, and to pay for the future infrastructure, so desperately needed.

“The drop in energy prices acts as a tax cut for consumers, by giving a small bump to real disposable income.” India as an importer will benefit from this drop and lower prices will help close their GDP gap, and reduce outflows and allow more investment at home. This could lead to a rise in Industrial production so badly needed; to get the economy out of the current doldrums, and boost much needed growth, for the hard pressed Mr. Jaitely. Will the US, China, Japan help him put the Indian train back on its track; to become the second largest economy in Asia in this century. In the next century a modern India will eventually become the leader of the free world; in keeping with its history from 1 AD, till the reign of Aurangzeb in the 18th century.

Immigrants all

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Rajiv Kapoor

Legislative Update

How many great scientists have we stopped from working in the US; because of the outdated views on immigration, by certain sections of our society, and inability of our legislatures, to come together to improve our system? We are allowing some of the brightest thought leaders of tomorow; to not join in our struggle to make the next century, an American century against the surging Asia.

Indian-born Stanford University professor Arogyaswami Joseph Paulraj and Indian techie Himanshu Asnani, pursuing research in mathematics at Stanford, will be honored in Washington DC Thursday by the US-based Marconi Society. Named after Nobel laureate Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937), who invented radio, and this prize is to recognize individuals for “creativity in service to humanity”.

Paulraj, 69, is the winner of the Marconi Prize 2014 for his pioneering work on developing wireless technology to transmit and receive data at high speed.

Born in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, about 360 km from Chennai, Paulraj was also honoured with the IEEE Alexander Graham Bell Medal in 2011, for his profound work on theoretical foundations of MIMO.

“Paulraj is the only India-born scientist to receive both the Marconi Prize and the Bell Medal — the two top global IT technology awards,” IndiaTechOnline.com editor Anand Parthasarathy told IANS in Chennai.

Asnani, 27, was chosen for the Society’s Paul Baran young scholar award for his outstanding work and contribution to point-to-point and multi-terminal channel coding and source coding problems.

“The prestigious awards will be presented to Paulraj and Asnani at our annual event Thursday at the National Academies of Sciences in Washington DC,” Marconi Society chairman David Payne told IANS from the US.

Tech pioneers who created Microsoft, Google, Facebook and so many other companies all acknowledge; that without these immigrants, the US cannot sustain, its eminent position in technology, where it is today. They complain that we have routinely turned away, potentially, thousands of such scientific brains; from our shores in the last decade, at a time we need them the most. They will just do their pioneering research elsewhere; leaving us so much poorer, than where we should have been. President Obama is correct; and I hope that Washington will gather its legaslative strength, to pass immigration reform now!

Lights – get it for free!

Posted on September 28, 2014 by Rajiv Kapoor

In celebration of the Press Release from Abbott Press, I am happy to announce the giveaway of 10 books for my US fans. Those of you who have read it have given me an amazing amout of 5 star reviews; and I request those of you who are reading it now, to please add your reviews and comments. You can post them on Amazon, Goodreads and Google, or any other site thatyou prefer, to get the word out to your friends. Please join me in celebrating the release of Lights:Despair, Faith and Hope on Broadway by clicking on the following link; to get the free copy and enjoy the tale of New York and Vera Lights, and her family’s hopes, dreams and universal aspirations for a better life!

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/109008-lights-despair-faith-and-hope-on-broadway

Inequality today

Posted on September 16, 2014 by Rajiv Kapoor

On this day: 1920 – A bomb in a horse wagon exploded (aftermath pictured) in front of the J. P. Morgan building in New York City, killing 38 people and injuring 400 others.
It is now rumored that we are fast approaching or have already passed, the income inequality that existed in the roaring 1920’s, in New York.The robber barons ruled the markets; in a frenzy of railroad, property and kerosene; that led to speculative roller coasters in the markets. J P Morgan became the banker of last resort, when the great depression hit a decade later on Wall Street, destroying many of the the barons, and bringing untold misery worldwide.

Unless we reverse course and take political action, and right this direction soon, we are headed for trouble. We have to start to provide education and employment to the many; at fair wages, or, we may be heading for anarchy in the streets again. We had a taste from the protestors after the great recession;and if we do not raise the minimum wage, solve immigration issues, and have a more equitable distribution of income, the problems will only increase. There is no economic reason for a 300 times disparity; between the President of a corporation, and his associates. We have to alter course, or we may be headed for an urban jungle; where states can’t raise enough taxes from the long suffering and dwindling middle class, for essential city services. When the fabric of society starts to rip; it can have very unintended consequences, as seen in the fall of past cities.

Today we have billionaires and then a lower level of society; living at, or slightly above, the poverty line. Who will provide them solace and comfort and a warm place to stay, if they cannot make a living wage. We have the means to reduce poverty; as per the UN, and just the political will is lacking. New York is capable of changing and showing the way, to a more just and equitable society, as it has done in its history before; when the unions were strong, and labor productive.We just need to have the political will to move forward.

Reaffirming life

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Rajiv Kapoor

In the early morning, the light danced on the waves; and though the towers are gone, there is a strange magical quality in the air. Hoping that time has made me whole again, I come to say goodbye to the past, from across the Hudson. The froth from the waves is a delight; as it ebbs and flows, to nature’s rhythms. The waves hurl themselves on the rocks; where I stand in glee, reaffirming life. I smile at their constant lapping on the shore, as if challenging me to join them in their eternal dance, to the joy of life. The Hudson looks beautiful; and the city is bright in the clear September day. I am happy to turn away; to move on to better things in life, and leave this past behind. There is a spring in my step and the day has just begun!
I return at night to walk Casper, but now in the darkened city the mood is different and more somber, and the glee is gone. We know the towers are gone, but why do I see the reflection in the water of the North and South towers, from where they had stood? My mind is playing tricks on me I know, so I take a photograph to reaffirm the dark mood it lights. I realize that I may have tried to walk away but my subconscious will not let it go, and will not let it pass, and even the camera remembers. I say goodbye to my colleagues again, and turn away; but it clings to my memory, like a faded photo. I realize that even though I may be whole now; a piece of me, will remain here in these grounds forever. I walk away slowly; as Casper looks at me sadly, and know that life is not always, what it appears to be. Our Hope and Faith may be sorely tested, but we must gather our strengths and move on, as time waits for no one. This night is going to be a long one I know, and all I have to do is await the dawn. Surely my conscience will raise the light in the morrow, from this dark despair…

@rajivtheauthor

The Peacock Throne Wars