Mumbai Terror 26th November 2008 - What Next?

Last few days I was glued to the television broadcast and it was all about the Mumbai Terror Attack. I have been thinking of writing my thoughts on it but then the developments at South Mumbai kept my desire at bay.
The operation was over yesterday and I will not delve into what exactly happened since there is anyway enough in the media and the net. I just wanted to capture some thoughts here for the sake of myself given the extremely poor readership of my blog.

The Background:
Terrorists came by sea route from Karachi to Mumbai. Entered two luxury hotels and a building where Jews were staying. Kept people on hostage, killed them, damaged property and managed to keep Mumbai out of action for 3 days. Finally the commandos captured one of them while the balance were shot. More than 200 innocents dies while scores were injured.
My thoughts on the issue:
What should the authorities do?
1. Sack the Home minister (This has been done).
2. Sack the Maharashtra Chief Minister and Home Minister (This is yet to be done).
3. Make the police professional autonomous bodies without ANY political interference in their work. A zero interference policy needs to be followed.
4. Make crime/terrorism related laws same all over the country. This different strokes for different folks does not work and created confusion.
5. Create a National Anti Terrorism squad with a Hub and Spoke concept throughout the country. They should own and have full control over logistics.
6. The security cover for politicians and dignitaries should be a state and center subject for their respective state and Central Government. NSG should be transformed into the agency suggested in Point No. 5.
7. Have civilian participation in policing. Community policing with prpper training and methods and ammunition should be given.
8. Have a proper communication channel for all the intelligence units. Maybe have specialized units for terror related intelligence.
What should the media do?
1. Have regular debates and discussions on terror related issues.
2. Have journalists follow up on all the old promises to soldiers, policemen and others who have shown bravery and follow up on those cases. The delivery is important and not the promise.
3. Create chapters and forums in each town where media meets civilians and account for the deliveries the local politicians have made.
4. Be impartial while showing, printing and moderating.
5. Do not play the religion game and fall flat on your face and be careful.
I am sure we will change and lets change now. Sphere: Related Content

Six Questions - Market Crash - (On the spur of the moment)

1. Would we get some money back from the investment banker/s, own personal equity, who advised the good banks on sub prime related investment?

2. Would'nt you like to meet the Risk Heads and Managers of these banks and ask them to give a talk on Risk Management?

3. Would'nt you like to meet up with the mathematical and statistics graduate analysts researching stock markets and ask them there views on how to predict a recession?

4. Would'nt you like to know as to how Dubai spends on the Atlantis party the same day when Citibank was collapsing?

5. Would'nt you like to know why such a hyped hotel now does not get guests to stay and have had to reduce prices?

6. Would'nt you like to know as to how most private business have no concern for human assets capital whenever business is low?

Sphere: Related Content

Follow the Leader - NDTV India

I chanced upon this program broadcast by NDTV yesterday. The TV Journalist was not just following the leader, they were going along with the leader. The camera was not concerned with what's the feedback from the gentry around the leader.

The Leaders love this proposal from NDTV since its after all using TV Time for their own campaigns for FREE.

The bonus for the viewer was that we knew how Sheila Dixit can sing songs from Taare Zameen Par and how Uma Bharti loves and hates LK Advani.

Rest was free publicity of the election campaign. What a waste of time!!

Sphere: Related Content

Conspicuous Consumption

I have been reading articles and news items in the media about how people in UAE are prone to diabetes and obesity. I have been in Dubai now for about one and a half years and I tend to believe that conspicuous consumption of food during working hours seem to be a major factor. A major percentage of colleagues are extremely prone to junk food. I may be wrong but most people bringing food from home belong to India.

A lot of guys and gals come in to office in the morning with a coffee in one hand and a croissant or a chicken mayo sandwich in the other to kick off the day. Candies, gums, dry fruits, cookies, chocolates can be found in almost every alternate desk and mind you they are not for guests. I know of people going for ice cream breaks like others go for a smoke.

I was at a client’s office the other day and I could see at least 10 people out of a total thirty having French fries and burgers during lunch. Then there are these salad fetish people giving you that guilt feeling of you are onto something else. The amount of feta cheese, bread croutons in them easily transform those into the junk food category.

There is this 24/7 outlet in the ground floor of our building and the maximum consumption of items are juices (full of sugar), pies and croissants, biscuits, nuts and of course the famous coke.
There is more to the story. The consumptions are not declared at home and that’s the truth!! Sphere: Related Content

Good Food List - Dubai

Chapli Kabab at Afghan Khorasan (AL quoz and Deira I think)
Sheekh Kebab at Daily Restaurants (Karama and Qusais)
Steak Sizzlers at Yoko, Karama
Fish preparations at Fish Market, Regent Palace
Tandoori Rotis at Ravi Restaurant
Dal Makhni at Garden Resturant, Al Nahda 2
Java Chicken at Wok Inn Karama
Jalebi at Bikanerwala
Roast Beef at Lulu’s Take Away Counter
Panner Tikka at Kamat
Hyderabadi Biryani at Travancore, Karama
Beef Fry at Super Kids, Karama
Iddiyapam at Saravana Bhavan
Dosa at Kamats
Chicken at Nandos
Hummus at Karam Beirut, Mall of the Emirates
Fish and Chips at Food Court Deira City Center
Doughnuts at Krispy Kreme, Food Court. Deira City Center
Classic Burger at Chillis
Any burger at Burger King
Medu Vada at Venus Restaurant
Rolls from Kabab Roll, near EMPOST, OFF AL WASL ROAD(near old Belhasa)

....and more to come. Sphere: Related Content

Fish Market : Regent Palace Hotel Dubai

Perhaps the Time OUT Dubai food critics have not been given any invitations and therefore you don’t find the mention of this restaurant anywhere. A friend suggested the other day that this is one place we should visit since a promotion was on. You just needed to spend 110 AED for all you can eat.
We reached the hotel and found quite a few arrivals already occupying their respective tables. The hostess showed us ours and we were well set for the proceedings to start. You basically had to go this large counter where all varieties of fish are kept, just like in a fish market shop. Select the ones that you want and they would pick them and provide you recipe options. You select and walk back to your table and perhaps while enjoying your starter drink the food would start to arrive.
We had mussels, prawns, kalamari, crabs, hammour, salmon and also some rice and noodles to go along. It was an excellent experience and you must try it without falling into the timeoutdubai –only-five-star-food-good trap.
This hotel is opposite the Burjuman Center and the restaurant is on the first floor. Good Stuff!! Sphere: Related Content

Karam Beirut - Lebanese Food in Dubai

Karam Beirut

Week before last we were in the Mall of Emirates and somebody suggested that since we were getting late for dinner why not have some Lebanese food and then head for home. Karam Beirut was an option and as usual it was a long walk in the Mall to reach the place. Its absolutely at the corner overlooking the fabulous ski slope(Dubai has this indoor huge ski park with actual snow!!!)

Thankfully we had done our reservation (getting a table for nine may sometimes become difficult) and on arrival we were gently ushered to our tables. The usual Hommos/Hummus was of course on the cards, but then we ordered for some other exquisite stuff. The starter in the form of a laban drink( butter milk - sort of liquidised yogurt) was excellent with the specific gravity being just right. The flavoured rolled vine leaves were not bad and the group liked it. The sheesh kebabs with pista filling were exquisite. The hummus were smooth and nice and when accompanied with the fresh breads it was a high. The meat balls in a yogurt based gravy were good too. We did not have place for dessert but I recommend that you should visit this place. Some of the reviews in magazines have talked about insipid service but frankly I disagree with that view.

So next time you are in doubt, just zero onto Karam Beirut for a taste of Lebanon in Dubai!! Sphere: Related Content