EXPERIMENTERÉ

 At the end of the day, we must be a part of solving a problem (defined or not, expected or not). Hence. The last decade can't be the ones we have endured in past. #समाधान  Maango Naya karo. Karekto Padi

How about this?

Perhaps my first and last visit with the legend Soumitra in Kolkata's Rabindra Sadan

Hearing the news of Bengali actor and legend Mr. Soumitra Chatterjee (85) passing away was (not) shocking, but saddening and painful. TODAY is Diwali and I've just finished cleaning up my house until I surfed the news of the legendary actor passing away at a private hospital Belle View near Park Street area in Kolkata. He was admitted in the hospital for sometime now. One can just imagine the amount of pain Mr. Soumitra must have underwent. went through ever since #covid2019 virus started impacting all of us wef March 2020. As of today 15th November 2020, 129,674 Indians are dead and as per statistica over 1.3 million people are already dead, primarily after contracting this deadly respiratory virus #covid.  I was in the Fiji Islands, when the outbreak started and went on covering 215 countries entangling global territories those been affected by #COVID19 disease. Till date it went on killing people and our legendary actor Soumitra was added on the list of ...

Was crossing this billboard, yesterday at Chowringhee, and the name of this coaching institute PACE was clearly visible from a distance. Something rattled inside and went for a small dive, just to understand the SOW. The size of coaching in India and how much a geographic location can be of any advantage. In my research, read how a dusty, sleepy, bustling industrial KOTA is now as per our hon PM Mr. Narendra Modi is now the Kashi of assisted education.  “Indians, prefer spending more on education over healthcare”, however what happens when schools and colleges are closed and social distancing is the biggest keyword, we have read in last 6 months. Like every other industry, big or small, has been impacted by Covid19. In this paper, we will analyze, to what extent, education, especially a traditional coaching institute such as Pathfinder will be affected and the ongoing relationship between a Coach and a Coachee (student).     Unfortunately, every industry ...

“Taking an image, freezing a moment, reveals how rich reality truly is.” — Anonymous They say, what a nice picture, I'd say how nicely a picture is taken. So, what is a nice picture?  On the occasion of #worldphotographyday, myself a small learner and observer of life, who happens to document them, as is, it is, ofcourse there would be a story hidden, behind each photograph.  As a child, I was never to be seen in pictures, because yours truly was a defacto family photographer. Those days, analog camera, the roll and printing and subsequent Joy and excitement enveloped the printed versions, #matt finish... It's like the pre instant maggi time, where a picture equalled to hard toil, sweat and dirt, like giving a birth. Don't want to sound like a dinosaur, in 2020, I do not have a camera. Just a mobile phone. My last spoil was a Samsung #s10, and happy so far. Graduated from rigid and  fixated Microsoft  Nokia to flexi and modern Android. Hmm. Th...

Leading from the front Mamata Banerjee has reinvented West Bengal to take it to the top of the SKOCH State of Governance charts in 2018. In the process, from villages to cities, Panchayat offices to chief minister's office, West Bengal has witnessed a governance transformation. India is a land of contradictions. Digital goes hand in hand with agrarian; and modern looks well matched with traditional. And one state that seems to reflect this fabric of India in recent times is West Bengal. Clad in a white saree with blue border and the quintessential blue slippers, the leader of West Bengal is known as Mamata didi. A stranger to Mamata Banerjee’s stature wouldn’t believe in the grit she holds within but holds she does, and she holds steely determination and firebrand social activism. Leading from the front, Mamata Banerjee has reinvented West Bengal and in the process, from villages to cities, Panchayat offices to chief minister’s office, the state has witnessed a governan...

In a recent press note, FICCI recommends, that being vigilant (about everything) is going to decide how India defeats Corona, in this #covid19 health battle. As MHA issued guidelines, on easing lockdown wef August 3rd. FICCI beleives, that vigilance is the core thing. The body recommended, to ease prohibitions in aviation, sports, schools and tourism sector. As the world continues to battle the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that a strategy of long-term total lockdown is simply unsustainable for most economies. As lockdown orders continue to be enforced in many parts of the country, businesses and livelihoods are under tremendous pressure due to the collapsed demand, layoffs, and wage reductions. Towards this, the Government of India has proactively responded to the concerns raised by both citizenry and industry to enable staggered reopening of the economy. As we approach the end of ‘Unlock 2’ on July 31, 2020 and prepare ourselves for ‘Un...

In a giant leap, the government of the Federal Republic of Germany has offered to join hands with the government of India along with the World Bank In its efforts to provide for an social protection system catering to the needs of especially urban poor and vulnerable groups such as migrant workers in the wake of COVID 19 pandemic. As an emergency support measure, a fast disbursing loan in the volume of EUR 460 Million (Rs 3893 Crores) has been committed to support India's move towards a systematic social protection scheme. The salient features of the intended system based social protection are: ·         develop systems and processes which will allow coordinated action across ministries and states ·         achieve a good balance between social assistance and social insurance programmes ·         allow for portability of ' in kind benefits' which could improve outreach to vulnerable groups e.g.  ...

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued new guidelines today, for opening up of more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones. In Unlock 3, which will come into effect from August 1, 2020, the process of phased re-opening of activities has been extended further. The new guidelines, issued today, are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments.  Salient features of the new guidelines Restrictions on movement of individuals during night (Night curfew) have been removed. Yoga institutes and gymnasiums will be allowed to open from August 5, 2020. In this regard, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) for ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19. Independence Day functions will be allowed with social distancing and by following other health protocols, e.g., wearing of masks etc. In this regard in...

Travel and tourism is one thing that was the biggest hit in the Covid 19 pandemic in year 2020, which they say was supposedly a 'boom' year for the shipping industry. My personal experience in Fiji, and coming home was something. I can tell you, how difficult it can become, if you Outside your home country. Coming home and restricted, largely. Coming back to cruise ships. I used to see the Pacific Explorer tucked at the Port of Suva.  Even if the tourism business is under  pressure ahead of the crucial summer season in the northern hemisphere (Europe and America). Th risk of catching coronavirus, social distancing rules at sea is as good as a log and adds pressure. The ships across the world are merely marooned by a shore or a harbour. Mostly appear ghostly (can imagine though). Thousands of people got laid off in a swipe. Carnival - 32,000 waiting for repratriation, Royal Carribbean - 26000, out of 77,000 (rest assured remaining shall go home sooner)....

last dispatch

COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT Investing in India's digital future Sundar Pichai CEO of Google and Alphabet Editor’s note: Today at Google for India, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced a $10 billion Google for India Digitization Fund to help accelerate India’s digital economy. Below is an edited transcript of his remarks. Google for India is always a really special time, and I only wish I could be there in person. One of the challenges of this moment is that we can’t visit the people we love, or the places we call home. During this time, the ability to be online has been a lifeline to so many of us: whether you’re a small business trying to stay afloat…a parent looking for updates on how to keep your family healthy … or a student trying to keep up with your studies. Being helpful in these moments is at the core of Google’s mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.  A new generation of Indian innovation This mission is d...

Day 7  Oh finally I get to get out (little free) today. Shall be visiting my old hood, Greater Kailash/ Alaknanda area. It's much greener there and familiar too.  Albeit, to be cautious, as the world has changed from the last time I visited Delhi. It's the seventh day, and hopefully have not contracted Covid19, corona virus. Would be clear by the 14 th day. Hence. Not taking any chances.  Am hungrier and eating the missed food. Simple stuff in this hotel Hari Priorko by the boys. The standard vegetarian meal mostly comprising of dal (lentil), rice, roti, subzi, and the breakfast would be porridge, macaroni, poori, alu ki sabzi like that.  In my head, it was immunity all the while... Also believe that immunity is going to be a big keyword in years to come.. Shall now wait for the government officials to come, do a fever test, they shall give me a certificate of the 7 day quarantine.

Day 6  Today I left the Fiji shores. Been almost a week. Spent time in connecting and learning about the new life that awaits outside. Frankly, I am not worried about employment, atleast at this point in time.  Just collecting my thoughts and the next plan of action, but, at my own pace. This hotel at Paharganj was able to keep me safe (atleast for now). Planning to go to a greener, open space, to #breathe 

A normal sordid day, waiting for the seventh day to arrive. Never felt chained and locked inside a room. Tried to catch the sun in the evening.  Thats for first time, saw the sky of Delhi.

Day 4 - Quarantined  Did I tell you why it took approximately 11 hours for me to reach the airport gate? Note - the officials did the best they could do in these (ab)normal circumstance. Forms and forms - write down forms especially if you are coming from top Covid19 infected nations such as USA, Brazil, China, Russia, China and Iran.  Batches  - there will be batches (of 30) as per alphabetics.  Home states  - Segregation of passengers as per home states I:E Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, UP, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu etc.  Self Quarantine or Paid Quarantine - Now either you have booked the hotel or you have not. In either of the case the Delhi Police and Govt officials now take over and punch in details of each passport holder. By the way your passports are taken by the officials. Wait Karo -   you are now waiting at the large hall (scene looked more like a govt hospital, all queing up to enter respective wards)....

Day three  It was raining in Delhi and typically Delhiites get very happy whenever it rains.  Myself in this room since Saturday from the time landed at IG airport. Amidst concerns, one mind was tempting to go out and see the sky, smell the rains, oh no the other mind says, oh it's virus in the air... The Quarantined meal (vegetarian), which arrives three times a day is my only social activity, every time the door is knocked by Abhishek.  Yes, chai. Am savoring the tea given by the boys and even tip them occasionally. Well, the first phase of quarantining should end this week. Have some unfinished business in the capital of India Delhi before I head towards the former capital , Calcutta. 

Like If you had to choose, Which side you’d take? Like or Love Think hard = about the difference what’s better? Like or Love? Like is like a comfortable journey, Whereas love is a crowd... Like is a liberalist (liberalism) Whereas love is an extremist. Ek like ki keemat tum Kya Jano... (Do you know the value of a 'like'?) HATE IS REALLY A STRONG EMOTION. ISN’T it? Why hate is always the opposite of love? Either you love or you hate... Yes, you have an option Swipe right for like, In the end, It’s okay to be merely 'liked', Than not to be loved at all. PD

My last picApic incin Fiji outside the Nadi airport Day 2  Early this morning learnt from friends that Fiji has one covid case (border). Apparently the same flight of Garuda Indonesia which took off from Delhi. One man even died on flight resulting to a 24 hour delay. Such is life. God bless Fiji. Social distancing, was just a concept. Utter chaos inside and outside the plane. Folks shouting for seats, one guy held up the plane for forty minutes at Port Moresby (PNG). Just refused to sit in economy class and parrotted 200 times that how he paid $2700 for business class (yeah no mask)... Now tucked in a Paharganj hotel and under house arrest , literally. It's a little unprecedented, however such are times.

Hello all.  It's Day - 1, New Delhi July 5 Self isolation in making... Covid19 meals, social distancing, 8 step hand wash, sanitizing, health is wealth and immunity being the strongest keyword, which was taken for granted. बीमारी के साथ जीना है announced a tea seller in Delhi... Last 90 days, there is no news, except corona...