Madras Kaapi

T.Nagar.  No flyover, not much hype about T.Nagar. Early morning driving lessons. Valli Driving School.  Instructor's meeting point, Pondy Bazar bus stand.  Early morning 6 am. No median wall on the road. Crows have not found their prey. They are making a noisy complaint for not getting food. Driving Instructor Babu arrives driving a Kinetic Honda, the precursor for women's lib  in Indian Metros.  Grinning at you he parks his bike. Before putting the scooter stand he calls out, enna sare, babu is from Kanyakumari, oru kapi kudikkalamaa? It is more of an information than a request. We enter the hotel behind the bus stop.  Portly cashier looks like lord Shiva with a hair cut. Few customers. Mostly, persugal, who took the first opportunity to get outdoor under the pretext of morning walk.  They are complaining against Rajiv Gandhi for their sons going to work on saturdays also. Babu and I take a table.  The server; network servers not known to general public those days; knows babus routine and brings two tabara coffees. Tabara is about 2.5 inches high. Coffee foam frothing above finds a dome shaped equilibrium.  An elderly foreign couple enter and get seated beside us. Man in the proverbial tourist attire, a black bermuda and a khaki t.shirt.  The lady in a purple and white long gown with large pattern flowers.  They order for coffee.  Our server dishes out madras brahmanal kapi.  They stare at that with trepidation. They politely  ask for coffee again.  Now the shiva sitting at the cash comes to the rescue. The bermuda man asks for coffee.  Cashier says this is coffee. The coffee exporter in me explains to the couple this is some what similar to cafe latte, the world famous Madras kaapi. But they insist on American black coffee.  Shiva now understands what his clients need and brings black coffee in rosemilk glass tumbler. The lady wipes the rim with tissue and sips. Thunderbolt.  Her eyes widen in pleasant surprise and exclaims this is the best coffee so far she had in their world tour.  Black or white madras kapi madras kapi thaan, Babu jokes and asks polaama sare.       =mdr=

Are We Financing China to Fight With Us

Are we financing China to fight with us?  

Look at what we have been doing to our country when we buy  Chinese products.  

Let us take a look at India's imports from China.  As per ITC (United Nations Comtrade) data, in the year 2016, India imported Chinese products valued US dollars 6,048 crores 31 lakhs and 3,000. In Indian Rupees 4 lakhs 23 thousand and115 crores approximately.

China imported from India products valued at nearly one fifth of this value only. What are the products that we are so very keen in buying from the Chinese?

Top 25 products are electrical machinery, machinery, organic chemicals, plastic products, ships and boats, iron and steel and articles thereof, fertilizers. LCD devices, optical  instruments,parts and accessories for tractors, motor vehicles.  Furniture, bedding, mattresses, aluminium articles.  inorganic chemicals and compounds of precious metals.  toys and games, rubber and articles thereof.  The product list goes on.  

80% of our toys imports are from China. 94% of our umbrella imports are from them.  

India - Toy Imports 2016 (Blue bubble:China)

India - Umbrella Imports : 2016 (Blue Bubble: China)

Concerned with India's digital security, Govt. of India has recently brought in some control measures. Government has started a review of the massive import of electronics and information technology products from China. The scanner has been put due to concerns over security and data leakages. The worth of Chinese products in India's IT and electronic industry is $22 billion.

What Indian citizens can do on their part?

Don't buy cheap Chinese products.

Make in India.

Create a manufacturing startup, identify products being imported from China by their HS code. Manufacture them in India and replace the Chinese products. Ask specifically for non Chinese make.  

Remember, buying products made in China is retail financing  of Chinese expansionism.

Data: ITC - UNCOMTRADE  

Analysis & Design: M.D. Rajendra Jain

Dr. Jayantilal Jain's Guest Lecture 

At University of  Madras, Department of  Jainology -  Aug.2017

=======================================================================

Kram Baddha Paryay

The principle of  Krama Baddha Paryay  means that the behavior pattern  of the ever changing universe is bound by some order. Whatever modifications in the substances are visible in this world  are happening in a definite orderly manner as if planned. Looking at things from outward conventional aspect, the behaviour pattern of substance appears to be disorderly, but considered deeply, one can discern a well planned orderliness.

The study of Krama Baddha Paryaya (sequence bound modifications) is very important as an understanding is needed about events happening.  Who is doing them, who is responsible.  All philosophies, except Jainism and Buddhism believe in an omnipotent God who is orchestrating these events. The principle of Creator, Regulator and Destroyer.   Jainism does not believe this.  Can somebody design my destiny?  I should be able to decide my destiny.  The resolution of these questions is essential for establishing the true religion.

It appears as though the determinant is our Karma.  It creates health,wealth etc., it maintains and it destroys.  But we are conscious of ourselves and our actions lead to karma, such as dravya karma, bhav karma.  Also there is body making nokarma.  The nigod jivas exist in nitya nigod as gold exists in its ore from beginning less time.  It exists even in Siddhasila without awareness.  To a question how the nigod jiva came to be born in Siddhasila, the answer is puerile obsession with Moksha without any true understanding or following the ways to attain it.  What is the point in people who are obsessed with climbing the Sikarji 99 times without Samyaktva.  A dog  living in the hills of Sammetsikarji also climbs up and down many times.    At best, Karmas are indicators of our actions in the past.  Karma has no place when knowing yourself as soul.  Soul is not made of karma. Soul is Jnan and Darshan.

Whenever any event happens - there are always five essentials (Samvay) operating simultaneously.

1. Nature  of the substance (Swabhav)

2. Future inevitability – Destiny  (Bhavitavya)

3. Fruition of time ( Kaal Labdhi)

4. Self effort (Purushartha)

5. Instrumental causes (Nimitta)

For the event of Moksha, out of the five, three are not in our hands; viz. time, instrumental causes and destiny.  But nature of the pure soul (Swabhav) and self effort (Purushartha) to remain in that nature of the pure self are in our hands.  For evolution into a liberated soul; ripe time is till exhaustion of karmas, destiny is as perceived by Kevaljnani Bagawan, karmic activity is the nimitta.  Hence, to know the soul and being in its true nature is in our hands and rest of other Samvayas will fall into place.

As our experiences increase the knowledge
horizon also increases.  With decreasing ajnan,
jnan increases.  The point of infinite knowledge
is Kevaljnana

NB:  This post is as per my understanding of his lecture and is not verbatim.   Any error either in content or presentation is my inadequacy.  

Deepavali

Deepavali

Bagawan Mahavir, we know his lifestory, birth, diksha, austerities and penances, meditation, omnsicience and liberation.  We celebrate His life as Deepavali, festival of lights for He is our Fordmaker.  

He had asked us to realise His nature in ourselves.  

Happy Deepavali

Best Wishes for a Happy & Prosperous

Vir Nirvan 2542 (2015-16 CE).

=========================

MEETING POINT HARMONY

SAMAYASARAM

Acharya Kund Kunda (1^st AD)

• Know ye that the pure Self is without taste, colour, without smell, imperceptible to touch, without any definite bodily shape, and is characterised by chetana (consciousness).  .. (49)
• In the (pure) soul there is no colour, no smell, no taste, no touch, no visible form, no body, no bodily shape, and  no skeletal structure.  .. (50)
• In the (pure) soul there is no varga (atomic potency), no vargana (molecules or group of atoms), no spardhaka (aggregates of molecules). There is no ego-consciousness of different types and no (karmic) manifestations (resulting in pleasure-pain experience). .. (52)
• In the (pure) soul there is no activity of yoga (through manas, vachana, kaya), no (karmic bondage) no effective manifestation of karma, and no variations according to method of inquiry into the nature of the soul (based upon the principle of classification).  .. (53)
• In the (pure) soul there is no stage of the duration of bondage, or of emotional excitement or of self-purification or of the acquisition of self-control.  .. (54)
• A shackle made of gold is as good as one made of iron for the purpose of chaining a man. Similarly karma whether good or bad equally binds the jiva.  (146)
• Those who are outside the presence of paramartha or Supreme Self even though observe vows, restraints, and rules of conduct and practice austerities are devoid of right knowledge. .. (153)
• Absolutely pure, having the nature of perception and knowledge, always non-corporeal, I am indeed unique. Hence not even an atom of alien things whatsoever (whether living or non-living) is related to me as mine.  ..(38)

NIRVANA SATHAKAM



Adhi Sankara (8^th AD)

I am not the mind, the intellect, the ego or the memory,
I am not the ears, the skin, the nose or the eyes,
I am not space, not earth, not fire, water or wind,
I am the form of consciousness and bliss,
I am the eternal Shiva…






I am not the breath, nor the five elements,
I am not matter, nor the 5 sheaths of consciousness
Nor am I the speech, the hands, or the feet,
I am the form of consciousness and bliss,
I am the eternal Shiva…


There is no like or dislike in me, no greed or delusion,
I know not pride or jealousy,
I have no duty, no desire for wealth, lust or liberation,
I am the form of consciousness and bliss,
I am the eternal Shiva…


No virtue or vice, no pleasure or pain,
I need no mantras, no pilgrimage, no scriptures or rituals,
I am not the experienced, nor the experience itself,
I am the form of consciousness and bliss,
I am the eternal Shiva…


I have no fear of death, no caste or creed,
I have no father, no mother, for I was never born,
I am not a relative, nor a friend, nor a teacher nor a student,
I am the form of consciousness and bliss,
I am the eternal Shiva…


I am devoid of duality, my form is formlessness,
I exist everywhere, pervading all senses,
I am neither attached, neither free nor captive,
I am the form of consciousness and bliss,
I am the eternal Shiva…

(Samayasaram, A Jaina work by Acharya Kunda Kunda and Nirvana Sathakam by Adi Sankara showed me the confluence of ancient Indian ways of looking inward. )

English Translation source: Samayasaram –Prof. A. Chakravarthy Nainar / Nirvana Sathakam - Isha Yoga.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Delhi High Court today ruled in favour of CAG audit of pvt telecom companies having revenue sharing agreement with Govt of India. In the course of the verdit the Hon. Judges have pronounced words of wisdom on Corporate Social Responsibility albeit indirectly.

Times of India (Jan.7, 2014) reported this news:

http://goo.gl/3jmiYz

ToI also published an article titled "CSR: Startups see Opportunity" (Jan 7, 2014)

http://goo.gl/DavFP0

It appears the Corporate Sector and NGOs are conveniently forgetting the "ethics" part of CSR. The concept of CSR originated in early twentieth century in USA, at a period when the large Corporate entities were viewed as "too big, too powerful and anti-social, and they were engaged in anti competitive practices. Efforts were made to curb corporate power through antitrust laws and other regulations - (Business & Society - William C. Frederic and others - McGraw-Hill International)".

In as much as this aspect of regulations, Delhi High Court has reiterated CSR of the Corporate Sector by stating that "circumvention and perversity produce an intensification of the command and this means that one is back to square one".

CSR combines the principles of Stewardship and Charity.

Well before 1912, Jamsetji  Tata, the Founder of the Tata Group said, " We do not claim to  be more unselfish, more philanthropic than other people. But we believe in  sound  and  generous  business principles and regard the health and the welfare of our employees a sure foundation of our prosperity". Tata steel implemented labour welfare measures which paved way of many of Govt. of India's labour welfare measures.  This is Stewardship principle. Employee Welfare, education and health are part of CSR and should form part of CSR activities.  Honouring Stakeholder Interests is integral part of CSR, viz.  

Government: taxation, VAT, legislation, employment, truthful reporting, diversity, legalities, externalities.

Employees: rates of pay, job security, compensation, respect, truthful communication.

Customers: value, quality, customer care, ethical products.

Suppliers: providers of products and services used in the end product for the customer, equitable business                          opportunities.

Creditors:        credit score, new contracts, liquidity.

Community: jobs, involvement, environmental protection, shares, truthful communication.

Trade Unions: quality, worker protection, jobs.

Investors: return on investment, income.

What is the point of implementing CSR if the company does not pay its vendors in time leading them to near bankruptcy,  So many small scale industries in India face this problem. 

It is now on Charity Principle Corporate entities are outsourcing their charitable activities by engaging NGOs. Hopefully there will be quality audit of such activities so that intended beneficiaries receive intended benefits. 

Hopefully India Inc's CSR activities will evolve into including ethical operations. 

Gravity of a situation.

Sandra Bullock and George Clooney engaging in a banter, floating above the earth. Houston warns of an impending danger and before the astronauts could rush into the safety of the shuttle, it hits them and hits hard. She gets detached from safety line and goes into a  float spin.

It also strikes me suddenly.  I have left the keys in the car itself and have locked myself and my wife out.  My mind races for a decision, continue watching the movie or rush out to the basement car park, rush back home to fetch the second key, call a cab, ........

The space debri hurtle towards my face (3D movie) making the decision for me. Having watched Sandra Bullock right from Speed, The Net, Miss Congeniality, The Proposal, Blind Side and so on,  I can't leave the movie.




It was an unforgettable experience, watching that wonderfully made movie with a name reflecting my situation on a  more mundane earth.