Politics of Technology

Internet has simplified computing manifold, in 1990s, and thereby taking technology to every walk of life. First decade of the new millennium has seen it evolving increasingly into a platform for social collaboration. By and large, collective human endeavor has been behind this success with open and free interaction.

Popularity and adoption has also led to burgeoning trends in attack of malicious intent on this wonderland, and sometimes with political undertones. This runs counter to spirit of largely trust based interaction of professionals and volunteers. But, then, it is a natural consequence of social adoption of technology and cannot be wished away.

As is made out sometimes, problem is neither with technology nor with social adoption but the recklessness of its adoption. Technology is often adoption without adequate cost-benefit analysis; obviously, cost-benefit mentioned here is not just from economic perspectives

I think it is time for sociologist take a serious look at unprecedented social changes triggered by evolving technology, to contain its negative impacts, before it turns out to be a frankenstein

Sociological challenges in a changing world!

I tend to agree Grady Booch's advice that "not everything we want to build, can be built. Not everything we want to build, should be built". By extension, we should not be doing everything we want to; there are moral, social and political limits. Yet the social landscape is changing.

Advancements in science and technology is changing the world we live in beyond recognition, whether we like it or not. While fundamental human values may not be at risk, social norms are. They are being challenged and tested, albeit in pockets in isolation.

It seems that notion of building blocks of society like family, community, nation etc requires a new definition in the light of new possibilities emerging; and that need to happen at global scale in a shrinking world

Innocence lost

Child in me is lost somewhere here? Well, this is where I was born. This is where I spend my childhood and teens. As I went in search of future, I lost my past somewhere; changed in an irreversible manner! I am still looking around... Do you see me around? Do you see me in you?


View My Hometown in a larger map

This used to be part of a small village during my childhood, people around so well known but now a crowded with old timers sparsely spread. Buzz of beetles are now replaced by roar of the concrete jungle; a nostalgic past is being lost into a dream of future. Frightening peace of quiet nights are no more around. Culture has become a show piece and celebrations too have become urbanized

Oh Janus, where are you? Tell us the art of looking into past yet keeping future in sight

Fear vs Respect

Fear and Respect. Surprisingly, these are words often used synonymously. Have you not heard of people talking about being 'god-fearing' instead of being 'god-believing'?

Fear is a negative feeling coming from a position of weakness. It comes either out of guilt or sheer helplessness. Fear gets exploited everywhere. In the places of work, workshop, with friends and even at home. Fear terrifies you of consequences and stops you from an action. Fear blocks your mind and hinders free thinking. Fear is demanded by the weak from the weak. Fear comes out of ignorance; not knowing what is in other person's mind, what is to happen next, what if ......

Respect is a positive feeling, comes from a position of strength. You respect a person when you see a person (or an entity) better in some aspect; may be knowledge, power, position, money... be it whatever, it energizes your mind and propels you into action. Respect is commanded by the strong and respect is given by the strong. Respect comes knowledge; knowing you, knowing your choices, knowing others and knowing the world

Fear breaks; Respect mends.
Fear hurts; Respect heals.
Fear suffocates; Respect motivates.
Fear arrests; Respect enables.

For a better life, better family, better business, better world, nurture respect always and everywhere. Destroy fear always, everywhere

My parents

An old snap from archives (from 2006 photos)

Divine inspiration

Blending past, present and future

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Where the time stands still...

Tribute to the timeless, limitness, absolute, ...

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Again, another year is coming to a end. It is time for a new beginning.

Personally for me, 2008 represented a successful completion of a journey commenced in 2002, and 2009 was a new beginning. Foundation is being built yet for my new dream, and realization of that is a long journey; a journey that may probably take about 10 years. Therefore, 2010 represents a continuity for me personally rather than totally a new beginning

Yet it make sense to look back into the times gone by and then look ahead. Year 2009 started on a gloomy note with the world in the grip of recession. As we see the world gradually wriggling out of recession, the coming year 2010 promises to be better.

2009 was a mixed bag, in general. As I look back into 2009, what comes to the top of my mind, on a positive note, is Oscar awards coming to India for the first time. What I recall on a melancholic note is the unexpected loss of an icon of our times 'Michael Jackson'

Professionally, software development is poised for further challenges with computing set to scale new horizons in collaboration and natural user interface. Software engineering has undergone severe churning under apparently conflicting pulls from visionaries, theoriticians, methodologists, practitioner and tool vendors. It seems now that world of software engineering is ready to be settling into a dynamic equilibrium centered around delivering value to success critical stakeholders in a healthy business environment

Future beckons and that seems to exciting!

Happy new year!

Country roads, Take me home

Almost into the fag end of the year 2009, world is set into a festive mood. It is also time for looking back as we move into 2010

I am all set to go back to Kerala for a short vacation. As usual, my vacation is a combination of pilgrimage and connecting to the past, visiting my friends and relatives.

This time around. it is a visit to attend 'Pattamudayam' celebration at Chirakkal Kovilakam, Kodungallur, starting with short visit to Tattamangalam, Pazhayannur, Guruvayur and Paambum Mekkad

A part of this is pilgrimage and a part is connection with the past as always

'Pattamudayam' is an important celebration both as a family get together and religious function. 'Pattamudayam' translates to mean 10th dawn and is celebrated on 11th day of the month 'Dhanu' in Malayalam calendar. As often, it happens to be on December 26th in this year.

I have been to 'Pattamudayam' celebration, a couple of times in the past, both as a child and grown up. I am feeling a greater sense of significance this time around.

My father Sudhakara Raja used to associate a great deal of importance to this celebration and used to religiously attend this celebration. His elder, and only, brother Dinakara Raja has played an instrumental role in reviving 'Pattamudayam' celebration to instill a sense of belonging within the family, a big joint family at that. Now, my father is old and ailing, and is far away in Delhi and his elder brother is no more



I feel a sense of importance in this time now to connect to the past. I am afraid if I do not connect now, I may never be able to connect back.

I am connecting now to one of the last vestiges of a joint family system; a basic structure of social system of yesteryears. All of that is lost in the new world order of nuclear families, threatening to go even into a state of plasma.

I do not believe in holding on the past. Sure, life goes on and the show has to go on. Everything about the past is not good either. Old social order is getting lost and new order is yet to set in

To me, the past, present and future are inexplicably interlinked. I am connecting to the past now to revitalize myself and move into the future

Be the change!

This blog post is inspired a blog from my friend 'Are we losing a long term Vision'

I do not think this is a recent happening. This tendency used to there and will continue to be. It takes conviction in oneself to be different; determination will follow. Conviction, determination, observation, and perseverance are critical to success.

I agree that there is visible mediocrity and lethargy even highest echelons in corporate hierarchy. In my observation, it is intentional rather than accidental. It is a lack of application rather than a lack of skills. It is a matter of convenience, riding the wave created by some other leader in the past.

Well, it happens at the cost of the company. Is any one bothered? Patient is under close medical supervision while admitted into hospital, and under very close monitoring in the ICU. Routine sets in, after being discharged from the hospital. Do we take care even after that? How many of us do strictly follow medical instructions for healthy living? Personal health is one's own priority and responsibility. If that is compromised, there is surprise that organization health is compromised

As many times in the past, this brings me back to Mahatma Gandhi to say 'Be the change you want to see in the world'

Time to go back to Gandhi

Reality check: Brazil and China have been praised, but India criticised, in a new report that evaluates the efforts of developing countries to tackle hunger

Is this what we call progress? Have we forgotten Gandhiji's Talisman?

"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions?

Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."

- One of the last notes left behind by Gandhiji in 1948, expressing his deepest social thought.

Leadership and Character

Life, and business, comes with good times and bad times. Anyone would sound great in good times. Only a strong character takes you through tough times gracefully. Leadership is as much behavioural as much as it is character.

A case for inclusive growth

India has been basking in the glory of new found riches of new generation Indian entrepreneurs and professionals.

What should have been a matter of national pride has unfortunately been only a privilege of a few. This privilege sometimes finds expression bordering on unabashed arrogance as exemplified in "cattle class" remarks of the "elite".

For a nation professing democratic, socialistic ideologies and inspired by simple living style of Gandhiji, we need more than a lopsided growth. Trickle down effect has not yet reached the common man. If you are not convinced, take an open ticket and travel in unreserved compartment in any of India. You will get to see the face of India that you do not want to see. Hard to describe, hard to believe but yes, that is a hard fact.

Concern for common man is expressed as a ritual during the times of National celebrations but soon forgotten. We have almost ignored that the true strength of India lies still in our villages. Our true strength is the silent, tolerant, simple common man of India.

I would have been happier to read from Indian media But I am glad to see this is reported somewhere at least. Fortunately, drive for inclusive growth seems to be slowly gathering momentum, off late.

Well, I am not against technology, I am not against growth but I am for is inclusive a growth... A social relation which is truly win-win for all stakeholders. I believe, only such growth is sustainable in the long run


I do not want my house to be walled in on sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all the lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any

Gandhiji

Character, Integrity and Reputation

I came across an interesting write up on the subject. This was pointed to me by one of my friends in facebook

I like the analogy. Taking it further, I would say that integrity is part of character. Character is part of being oneself, being true to yourself to the people around you, and to the world at large. Reputation and respect are fruits of the tree, that is yourself. Character is the seed that grow into making you.

Character determines your behavior. Behavior and performance earns you reputation respect. Interestingly, visibility is in the reverse order. Reputation and respect is the most visible properties of the lot. Character is only visible who cares to see, and it takes time to understand. Character is the true strength, and it is internal; not an item for demonstration. It makes itself visible in a subtle manner through behavior

Well, what it takes to have character? I believe, it is partly nature and partly nurture; nurtured by experience with parents, friends, ..

Back from yet another pilgrimage to Sabarimala

I am just back from yet another pilgrimage to Sabarimala.

I have been going there almost every year since 1992 so far. Every trip has been an experience in itself; a humbling and learning experience. Learning about work and life. It helps me to resolve conflict of theory and practice, maintaining ideological balance in the midst of diverse pulls of daily living.

Every devotee calls each other Swami (master) or Ayyappa (God himself). The spirit is to see God in every one and every where. All of us are unique in how how we feel, how we perceive and how we think. But, we are not in competition with each other. One does not need to perish for another to survive. Success of human race is not based on competition within the race but rather with collaboration of human efforts.

Journey is pleasure or pain, just as life is, depending on how you take it. Problem as big and formidable as mountain is crossed with self belief. Faced with problems, we often get overwhelmed by that with hardly any time to look around.

When we look around, we see that there are many who are even less privileged that we are, going about it easily. Difference between problem or pleasure is only a perspective. What is perceived turns out to pleasure when you learn to enjoy it. Choice is with all of us to curse, lament, keep moving or enjoy every moment.

You also realize that what you are seeking for (call it God, happiness, power ...) is not external. It is within you, yourself. That Tvam Asi which translates to read 'That are Thou'. It is belief in the self that takes you to heights irrespective of challenges ahead.

It also reinforces the power of now. Irrespective of your background, you are in the time now. Past may have been hauntingly attractive or future may be enticingly bright. You can reach out to the future only through the time now.

Focus on goal, working towards goals undeterred by hurdles moving forward as a team, respecting and helping one another, irrespective of power, position, money or education, are a few of the lessons that the pilgrimage

Do we discriminate against Indian in India?

We cry foul when an Indian face discrimination in another country; issues that Indian students had to face in Australia being most recent of them as I can recall.

I did not face any kind of discrimination or animosity specifically against me as a person in the countries that I had been to. My experience, may be limited but I believe is indicative, is that they expect us to respect their personal space and culture. That is only natural.

But I am alarmed when we discriminate against Indian in India.

I wish this is only an aberration, or are we compromising on fundamentals blinded by money?

Employees don't change the company, they change their Boss

Following are my thoughts on question “Employees don't change the company, they change their Boss.?” in in Linkedin

Job shift is a personal decision influenced by curious combination of background, personal needs, skill sets, aspirations, and environment. Environment includes the organization, boss and team. Attributing to just one of the factors is too narrow perspective.

My view and experience is: Organization stands by (and should) its vision, culture, values and goals. Individual stands by (and should) its vision, culture, value and goals. That is fair as well, as these are not matter of convenience but rather goes into the core of being. After all, I think, most (if not all) of us have been in both the roles, right?

I have not seen bad people but I have seen them appearing bad due to circumstances.

What goes wrong is getting a honest communication taking place. If it does, know for sure that you are on a slippery ground.

Time is now

I had expressed concern on collapse of belief systems of yesterday and emphasized need for new ones for tomorrow.

Ardent devotees of respective ideologies may not fully agree with me and would rather try to conjure up the same old wine in a new bottle. Many lives are built on these ideologies and shattered by the same edifice. I am seeking a scientific analysis

Laws of science are expressed with assumptions on validity. Laws of science are continually re-validated based on current observations and assumptions are revised, as happened with newtonian challenged in the context of quantum physics.

I am glad that Debate is on. I am no economist to comment on. But, I hope scientific spirit will prevail because human lives, and heart, are involved, because I am one of them concerned about every one of them; a compassionate human, because world is my family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam)