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Better
counsel prevails Tata
hopeful on India |
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Insuring
personal assets
Between
reality and rhetoric
Season
of mist and snow
While peer pressure
can be a driving force, it can also be thwarting. A look at how group
influence impacts life choices and how to deal with it
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Tata hopeful on India
In
an uncertain, gloomy economic scenario Ratan Tata of the Rs 4,44,000-crore Tata group has sent out a message of hope about India’s growth. Although the Tata group has made large investments abroad in recent years, acquiring some prestigious brand names like Jaguar, Corus and Tetley, and 58 per cent of the group revenue now comes from overseas, Ratan Tata finds India a profitable place for doing business. Though he had the unpleasant experience of having to move his pet Nano project from Singur in West Bengal to Sanand in Gujarat, Tata is not bitter about it. The only regret he seems to have is that “We never really got our act together for the first 1,00,000 Nanos”. A couple of weeks ago India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, too sounded optimistic about India. At the December 23 meeting of the Prime Minister’s Council on Trade and Industry, Ambani told Dr Manmohan Singh: “Sir, I don’t share the gloom and pessimism on India. I plan to invest Rs 70,000 crore in India over the next two years. To me, India remains the best investment destination”. The Prime Minister hoped that “others also follow your example”. Those present at the elite gathering included N. R. Narayana Murthy, Sunil Bharti Mittal and Sunil Munjal and they all stressed that they were not planning to shift business overseas. India certainly holds out hope for fast growth, but business is driven by profit and the government must make the over-all environment conducive to industrial growth by removing bottlenecks and taking policy initiatives. Policy inaction and the retail FDI fiasco have only added to the sense of disillusionment. The government has to get back to business and put in place reforms like a direct taxes code and the goods and services tax (GST), strengthen infrastructure, and sort out land, mining and environment issues. Corruption and governance are issues the government is conscious of but it has not yet delivered on these fronts to the satisfaction of the public.
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Insuring personal assets
Natalie
Thomas, 36, of London is not the first one to get the posteriors move to the front (pages). Jenifer Lopez’s personal fame had pretty much been eclipsed by her own behind. If Natalie Thomas, who is in the hospitality business, assigned with the rare job of testing the softness of guest’s beds with a rather euphemistic designation of ‘director bed bouncing’ has got her bottom insured for 4 million pounds, J Lo’s object of veneration, along with some other ‘assets’ of hers was rumoured to be insured for $1 billion. Though she vehemently denied the insured ‘parts’ as well as the insured sum, tabloids made calculations on how much per square inch her derriere would come to! Insurance companies have used celebrities to make consumers believe, that , like car, house, jewellery and gadgets, body parts too are ‘assets’, which can be insured, if, the ‘asset’ concerned has a premium on it. If sportspersons can get their body insured as an ‘instrument’, why not celebrities, who too use their body to make a living. Sprinter Donovan Bailey actually got an extensive policy to get his entire body parts covered under insurance. Holly Madison, the porn artist got her most valuable asset, her breasts, insured for $1 million with Lloyd’s of London. In creative arts too, insurance companies insist upon ‘vocal insurance’, citing examples of Julie Andrews and Leann Rimes who lost their voice and had to cancel shows, suffering losses worth millions of dollars. The most expensive diva, Celine Dion too had her vocal chords insured for a whopping undisclosed sum. Insurance companies are not alone in rating body parts higher than the sum of a person. Mariah Carey, the singer, was awarded the title of ‘Legs of a Goddess’ by a company that makes shaving blades, by insuring her legs for 1 billion dollars. One would wonder — like Michael Jackson’s face became a constant work in progress, changing contours and complexion, what would happen to the premium paid per square inch, if these ‘assets’ lose or gain weight? The bottom line is, to protect the ‘assets’, one has to ensure that the assets are completely ‘covered’ ( no pun intended).
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Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it. — Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Between reality and rhetoric A
string
of assembly elections, especially in Uttar Pradesh, is always an indicator of the shape of things to come, but the forthcoming polls are particularly significant for two reasons. The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance has been having a rough time, with its coalition partners, its opponents and a fifth wheel to the Opposition, Anna Hazare and his team. Second, the fledgling leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party between the leaders of Opposition of the two houses of Parliament has played such a cynical political game over the Lokpal issue and in its voting pattern that seldom has national politics plumbed the depth it has in relation to one of the two national parties. Against this backdrop, it was hardly surprising that the BJP had egg on its face by immediately taking the sacked UP minister of the Mayawati government, Mr Babu Singh Kushwaha, into the party. UP has been reverberating to reports of a massive scam in the portfolio in charge of the former Family Welfare Ministry. There is an Allahabad High Court directive to probe the misuse of funds. And scarcely had Mr Kushwaha stepped into the portals of the BJP than the Central Bureau of Investigation stepped up its probe into his premises and those of a chain of health centres. There are few angels in our political system, but no one has displayed the total lack of principles as done by the aspiring leadership of the BJP. Winning is the name of the game. The country has been familiar with the party’s studious ambiguity over the Lokpal: while praising it in general terms and displaying solidarity with the movement, the party reneged on voting to support a constitutional amendment in the Lok Sabha. Even for understudying the leadership role, the opportunist nature of the new leadership was so transparent and shameful that the party spokesman said it was not intended to give Mr Kushwaha a ticket to contest the election — the denial of a Bahujan Samaj Party ticket had led Mr Kushwaha to shed copious tears and seek the BJP’s shelter. There has always been a contradiction between Mr L.K. Advani’s addiction to taking a dressed-up Toyota van on a rath yatra, preferably on an anti-corruption campaign. It was something of a gratuitous insult to the leader to gift him Mr Kushwaha. Indeed, Mr Advani’s disillusionment with his junior leaders can only strengthen him in his refusal to say in so many words that he is not a contestant for the title of aspiring Prime Minister. If the BJP has invited self-inflicted wounds, the Congress’s own predicament is not edifying. Ms Mamata Banerjee is not only opposing her party vis-ŕ-vis her main coalition partner on major pieces of legislation and in humbling the Congress on the Lokpal Bill in Parliament but the brusque manner in which she has done so is little short of insulting. For the present, the Congress is turning the other cheek, but the limit of the party’s patience is not limitless. Much will depend upon the assembly results, primarily in UP. Mr Rahul Gandhi has chosen a most difficult terrain for the Congress to make his political mark and has been spending much of his time in UP. Judging by the political landscape as it is, the pointers are in the direction of a hung assembly. But the key question will remain: Can the young Gandhi more than double or treble his party’s strength? Much is, therefore, riding on Mr Gandhi’s performance. Of the other states, Punjab looks more favourable for the Congress. UP is more than usually beset with the caste and sub-caste factors. Ms Mayawati’s feat was to knit together the lower castes and sprinkle rewards among other communities to obtain a majority. At the same time, she is a great believer in the Oscar Wildean adage of nothing succeeding like excess. In seeking to rid herself of allegedly tainted ministers, she sacked nearly 20 ministers to cultivate a better image. Given her vulnerability, Mr Rahul Gandhi has been single-handedly taking aim at her throughout his campaigning in the state. The Lokpal issue has added a new dimension to the political contest but the issues that will be thrown up by the assembly elections will give some answers to the shape of political parties and the future leaders who will be thrown up. In political terms, Ms Mayawati is still young and her signal contribution has been to strike up a formula to elevate her to the top spot in UP under her own strength. While the fate of the Lokayukta has become enmeshed in the nature of federalism obtaining in India, it is ironical that parties in addition to the BJP are fighting shy of guidelines in appointing ombudsmen where they are needed most. Gujarat has not had a Lokayukta for years. The contrast between rhetoric and political reality could not be starker. For months together, the public discourse has centred round lessening, if not abolishing, graft. One would have assumed that something of the moral argument would have rubbed off on political conduct. Judging by the BJP’s conduct in particular, the effect of the Lokpal debate has been quite contrary. As we have seen, the new leadership has wholeheartedly embraced the god of cynicism. It is not a pretty picture on the political firmament. Are we then to assume that in the thick of the political battle, issues of morality do not count? On the government’s side, it has been one series of fire-fighting exercises after another: first to douse the flames set alight by the Anna movement, then to cobble a Lokpal Bill and then to be bloodied by one’s own coalition partners, the Trinamool. The respite before the Budget session is a relief for the government even as the battles in the states must be fought. The UPA-II is facing its most difficult days yet. It is, of course, hoping that there will be a rainbow at the end of the next electoral exercise. For one thing, its longevity may be determined by the outcome. For another, the cynicism that has overtaken the BJP is a bad omen for the health of the political party
system.
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Season of mist and snow The
seasons change, with these the moods of ‘both man and bird and beast’ undergo a change. There is briskness in the movements. The human mind craves for doing something good and beautiful. Creativity has a long range, from composing a poem, sowing a new plant, producing a new fabric, conceiving a new thought and having a new dream. The process is to make new whatever has become old. That is the reason why gods are worshipped and then consigned to their watery graves. They, of course, reappear, with greater aplomb, in due course. The past year recedes into the repertory of memory, when the New Year dawns. The rising of the sun on the first day of the year infuses a new spirit in the human beings. The New Year’s eve that had slumbered in the chamber of night, emerges with a glow on its face — “Kannan teeken laal”. Suddenly it seems to be a new phenomenon in the firmament as if something has emerged out of nothingness. Then the mind is eager to grasp the significance of those few moments which are like dewdrops on the petals of a flower. In his play Hamlet, William Shakespeare has presented a beautiful image of the rising of the sun — But look, the morn, in russet mantle clad Walks o’er the dew of yon high eastward hill. The New Year beckons the season of mists and snows. The chilly wind that blows in the plains reminds me of my days spent in Shimla, when poet Aatish was young — “Yeh kissa hai jubka ke Aatish jawaan thha.” Once I was standing at Scandal Point, on the eve of the New Year, when there was a sudden onrush of white clouds in the sky. As I started going up to the Ridge, there occurred pindrop silence all around. By the time I reached the Ridge, in just five minutes, snowflakes made their presence felt with unrelenting regularity. They whirled in the spaces and created symphony that had both rhyme and rhythm. In the twinkling of an eye, snowflakes settled down on the roofs, the turrets, the trees and the electric wires, besides the slopes of the Jakhu Hill. The next day was full of hilarity as the white blanket had covered overnight the shivering populace. That was, of course, a happy New Year. Indeed, the New Year is welcomed with good wishes for relatives and friends. Generally, the wishes are intended for a happy and prosperous New Year. The path of progress is expected to be free from all the pitfalls. To be healthy, wealthy and wise is the motto that expresses the belief of humanity. But there are some people who have something else in their minds. In the good old days, Mirza Ghalib once gave an assurance that the New Year would provide solace to the hearts of the persons whose protestations of love had been ignored by their beloveds. He had said so on the basis of the prediction made by a Brahmin that the coming year would augur well for the afflicted hearts — “Dekhiye paate hain ushshak buton se kya faiz Ik Brahmin ne kaha hai ke yeh saal achcha
hai.”
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While peer pressure can be a driving force, it can also be thwarting. A look at how group influence impacts life choices and how to deal with it
“I
dealt
with severe stress at school, both in studies and extra-curricular activities. The ‘class first’ phobia created by teachers, the inevitable comparison of marks among toppers, the pressure to perform well and win at the state and national-level table tennis tournaments I was playing in; all of it exerted its pressure on me - some self inflicted, some by peers, some by others’ expectations from me. The combined impact was terrible for both my health and studies.” Shreethi probably hadn’t grasped the immensity of the stress she was coping with everyday till things slowly started to come apart. She still is one of the most unassumingly brilliant people I have met. But despite the years that are now past, I know that the fear of failure and bitter experiences from high school are hard for her to forget. The thing about peer pressure is that you don’t realise what it is doing to you until you’re already far down the road and turning back can be a difficult option. But such an understanding assumes all peer influence is negative, which is as wrong as an assumption can get. Peers mould you in splendid ways – they teach you confidence, make you more articulate, cheer you when you are on stage, and are amazing at 2am therapy. Mine drew me out from books, forced me to dance, tried (and failed) to make me blog. The problem arises when we aren’t encouraged to think through issues ourselves, to evaluate options, weigh the pros against the cons, and make independent, informed choices. This almost always translates into behavioural difficulties in youngsters, the need to ‘fit in’ with a group, and most of all, in the career decisions we take. Amit Kataria, who is spreading computer literacy in Haryana’s Choma village through Rose Computer Academy, has observed the same pattern among his students. They just do what their friends do, he says, not thinking if it will help or harm them. Only about 10 per cent of his students can “take their own decisions” about their future. Manju Thomas, a student of Company Secretaryship, felt the force of peer influences when she left home and hearth in Bahrain for higher studies in India. “Peer pressure comes in various ways and I would be kidding myself if I say I’ve never succumbed to it.” She believes that knowing where to draw the line and being able to say a firm ‘no’ makes all the difference. “Like any other teenager, I had both good and bad peer influences. I was encouraged to become a less sarcastic person, to faithfully keep my abstinence for Lent, to get a better wardrobe selection (even my parents agree on this one!) - this was the good part. The not-so-good parts came with trying to fit in when everybody else was thinking on a completely different platform, whether in career options or lifestyle preferences. I refused to give in. I guess being arrogant helps sometimes.” Negative peer influences can lead to habits and attitudes you won’t be proud of, or to adolescent experiences you may want to never remember. A study by the Association of Preventive and Social Medicine in Uttar Pradesh found that tobacco addiction almost always begins at adolescence; the most common reason cited by students was peer pressure. And it takes a lifetime for these habits to disappear. Manju’s advice is to “Take a decision you can be proud of. It will help later, even if it sucks at that particular time. But nothing else can give a bigger boost to your self-esteem.” Are youngsters able to make independent choices now, without being adversely swayed by their peers? The jury is still out on this one, and it is difficult to gauge the covert influence others can wield on you. But the advice is the same. Deliberate. Be considerate in the choices you make, and aware of how they impact those around you. But remember, always, to choose. Peer pressure refers to the influence exerted by a peer group in encouraging a person to change his or her attitudes, values or behaviour in order to conform to group norms. Some youngsters on how it influenced them:
Azhar Moideen
Shreethi Kapa
—Amrutha Kuber Somesh Kumar The writer is a student of journalism at Asian College of Journalism, Chennai
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Group influence matters more Over the years there has been a rise in peer group pressure. There is more awareness and parents are open to seeking professional help. Peer pressure has an important influence on young people’s attitudes, beliefs, behaviours as they feel more accepted, get support in times of distress and confusion and form a self-identity. The desire to be accepted, belong, be approved by peers and “fit in” as a part of a cool gang in order to be popular is very crucial at this age.This desire can sometimes make them do things that they do not wish to, yet do. Faulty choices, risk-taking behaviour such as smoking and alcohol abuse and early indulgence in sex leading to teen pregnancies is the result of this pressure. Even the choice of subjects is influenced by what peers are opting for. The causes The reasons are many from changing lifestyles to just to “be happy.” There is the pressure to keep up with the demands of the times, desire to own material possessions to impress others with a trendy appearance and owning latest gizmos like mobile phones, mobikes, cars etc. Unfortunately, the luring through advertisements which convey messages that one is not with the times if he /she does not have a particular brand creates more problems. Youth can indulge in stealing and lying in order to fulfil these needs. The failure to cope with academic pressures, poor emotional climate in homes and breaking up of the family structure add to it. Personality traits like being timid and meek, immature, submissive, being easily led by others, having difficulty in saying ‘no’ to others and being non-assertive for the fear of being rejected are also contributory factors to peer influence. Role of parents, teachers Parents should have a democratic rather than an authoritarian approach and involve children in decision making. The media’s role and that of teachers in school and college counsellors is crucial. Teaching youth to deal with peer group pressure, learning to be more assertive, reaching out for help to trusting family members/friends and staying away and moving out of the group when difficult times arise. Parents and caretakers need to communicate in a warm, loving manner and negotiate. They should give clear dos and donts, set firm expectations and boundaries. They should talk about consequences of a faulty act rather than pointing out the fault. They should be liberal with praise, celebrate and reinforce when the youngster makes good choices. —The writer is a Chandigarh-based clinical psychologist & counsellor
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