My Viewpoint

  Getting Paid to Watch Videos, Comment, and Engage: Is It Real? Short answer: While platforms have offered rewards for online activities, the model has evolved, and it's essential to approach such opportunities with caution. The Evolution of Paid Online Engagement In the past, some companies experimented with paying users to watch videos, comment, or engage with their products. This was often tied to market research or gathering user feedback. However, the landscape has changed significantly. Early Models: These platforms often relied on a points-based system, where users earned points for completing tasks like watching videos, taking surveys, or trying out products. These points could then be redeemed for rewards or cash. Shift Towards User-Generated Content: The focus has shifted towards user-generated content platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, where creators earn revenue through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise. Micro-Influencer Economy: Influencers with smalle...

  Rakshasas and Devas: A Duel for Destiny The ancient Indian mythology of Rakshasas and Devas, often painted in stark, contrasting hues, offers a surprisingly complex lens through which to examine the intricate tapestry of modern geopolitics. Far from mere caricatures of good and evil, these mythical figures embody the perennial human struggle between order and chaos, tradition and progress, and self-preservation and altruism. The Rakshasa, traditionally viewed as a monstrous villain, is in fact a more nuanced character. Beneath the fearsome exterior lies a rigid adherence to rules and a desperate defense of the status quo. They are the guardians of a world they believe to be perfect, and any deviation from this ideal is met with fierce opposition. Though often destructive, their actions stem from a deep-seated fear of change. On the other side, the Devas are more than benevolent deities. They are the architects of a better world, willing to challenge the established order to ...

When the Telangana agitation slipped out of TRS leader K Chandrasekhar Rao's hands and taken by students of Osmania University in Hyderabad, there were violent incidents witnessed and infiltration of radicals, the students’ wing of Maoists in the campus of Osmania, created panic in Union home ministry. The home ministry pressed the panic button based on intelligence reports warning of a possible resurgence of Maoist violence in Telangana around the sentiment for a separate state. Home minister P Chidambaram pushed the assessment based on intelligence reports to the core committee that met to resolve the Telangana issue and there was a hasty decision taken on Telangana statehood. With the decision of the centre to let Andhra break up, the demand from other regions for separation is gathering some speed. Leaders in Vidharba, Bundelkhand , UP, WB, Tamilnadu, Gujrat see a window of opportunity to break away from the larger entities of which they are now a part. Letting Telangana separa...

The Centre plans to bring a "state-of-the-art" legislation in the Winter session of Parliament to deal with complaints of corruption against judges and ensure accountability in higher judiciary, says the Law and Justice Minister M Veerappa Moily. Good and thank you Mr Moily how about a similar bill to deal with the corruption of Politicians, Babus, police and doctors?

Following is the preamble of the constitution of India. I wonder, how relevant is the preamble and the constitution, today. Is India truly a socialist while we opened up our economy? Are we democratic in its true sense? Is there LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship? Do we experience EQUALITY of status and of opportunity? The political class and those who are in power made fun of the constitution and its spirit by their shameful actions. THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA Preamble WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a [SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC] and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the [unity and integrity of the Nation]; IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREB...

The strategic importance of Arunachal Pradesh or Tawang in Chinese parlance the following need to be recognized: Arunachal Pradesh provides strategic depth to India’s Brahmaputra Valley and India’s other North Eastern states. Arunachal Pradesh provides security to Bhutan on it entire Eastern flank by geographical contiguity. Bhutan would be then be in a pincer group of China on both it flanks if Tawang is given away. This would be detrimental to India’s security. China’s borders would then rest on the plains of Assam; India might as well write off its other North Eastern states. The Chinese obsession with the Tawang Region is strategic in its aims. In any future conflict with China and if India singly or in coalition with some other power develops offensive capabilities against China, this region offers the shortest cut to China proper and to Tibet. India’s communications infrastructure in this region developed in World War II for US military aid to China is existent and can be further...

Going by the news reports on the spending of tax payers money by the MPs and ministers and governments one would wonder when will we the people of India get a break and how long these political class test our patience. At times during national calamities we in corporate or in private sector donate a days salary to the prime minister's relief fund etc. During economic down turn some of the corporate leaders take a cut in their salaries and employees were asked to reduce the travel costs etc. The political leaders who are supposed to lead by an example are not willing to do the same way as the salaried class. They do not want to give up their luxuries like stay in five star hotels or business class travel in air. They come out with all the excuses why they should not be giving up the luxuries. They spend a lakh a night in the five star hotels at the expense of taxpayer money. In simple words, the political leaders and ministers do not want to mingle with the common person, interact w...

Anti-corruption reforms have a good chance of success only when they are moved by a top leader and persistent enough to overcome bureaucratic resistance and inertia, according to experts. They also have to involve civil society and be free from political manipulation. When corruption becomes ingrained in the culture or is seen as part of, the daily struggle for survival, reforming governance becomes particularly difficult. When people get used to bribes, when they have financial obligations supported by bribes, it is very difficult to stop.

Way back in 1998 I did a case study along with my batch during my MBA at International Management Institute, New Delhi. Dr. Ajit Prasad a professor in strategy, gave us a case study titled “Should TTD be taken over by Government and maintain?” We all debated and concluded that it would be better if government does not meddle with TTD as governments lacks credibility and haunted filled with corrupt people. I had little idea then that I would be witnessing those scenarios we discussed, 10 years later. Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara the powerful God of Hindu faith managed by TTD is a richest temple next to Vatican City in the world, is in the news for all the wrong reasons. Upon hearing the news on corruption in TTD like many Hindus, my feelings were hurt. I am not particularly in support of any political party and do not want to be branded either. However, I must say ever since congress government in Andhra Pradesh took over the reins of government it encouraged and indulged in...

Pervasive corruption in our country tarnishes our image. It also discourages investors, who expect fair treatment and transparent dealings. As the country grows and integrates with the world economy, corruption continues to be an impediment to harnessing the best technology and resources," Today I was chatting with a few fellow residents of our society. One of them narreted his experience with Pune traffic police and their rude and corrupt behavior. His vehicle has a number plate, which does not belong to Maharashtra. He was carrying original driving license, original PUC and photocopies of all other documents that include NOC. To his surprise, the traffic constable asked him to pay Rs 3000/ as fine since the vehicle is not registered in Maharashtra. After arguing and wasting much of his time, he settled down for Rs 200 and let him go without giving him any receipt. Very familiar story is not it. We come across many such cases involving traffic police who lurk in the shadow, away ...