Week 8- Socrates

We do not have any writings of Socrates with us. All we know of him is through contemporary records and writings of his disciples like Plato and Xenophon. He is still considered one of the most influential philosophers in history, perhaps thanks to Plato who glorified his teacher and mentor, and used Socrates in his writings as a contributor to the discourse and discussion. I am inspired by Socrates for his thoughts as well his life. He brought out philosophy from understanding the world around us to understanding us. He emphasized on importance of moral in a man’s decision. If we take decisions that are morally wrong but advance our self-interest, then we need to learn to take correct decision beyond self-survival. We need to be educated to look beyond self and adopt ethical principles that would lead us towards common good and benefits as a society. The way his life ended was exactly what he was teaching. Courage, wisdom, rebellion, honesty, curiosity, wit, humour, leadership were all key traits of personality of Socrates, and that is why he is so admired.

(source: https://www.recode.net/2014/12/19/11633932/socrates-in-silicon-valley)

He has been given the place that otherwise has only be given to prophets and founders of religions. His ethics however is not rooted in religion; it was more focused on the city state of Athens. He wanted to develop good citizens for the benefit of Athens. We shall ask, if an irreligious man (an atheist) should not be ethical? A common dilemma till date in religious people. Ethics is not bound to religion, although all religions emphasize on ethics and moral.

We know that there are theories around morality and human beings, some argue that it is the material relations that play a part in shaping morals of people in a society. Poverty and hunger knows no morals. Some argue that morality can only be achieved by fear of a deity or the consequences. In industrial age, we are capable to teach morality across a society. Health and Education are considered universal rights. Education certainly is a key factor in how societies can be shaped. However, the Athens of Socrates was a society where equal rights were not imaginable, it was a society of citizens and slaves, depending on wars. Socrates has no objection on it, he was not beyond his time. He was worried about the survival of Athens and its people. He was a loyal citizen of the state. It is impressive that he sacrificed his life but he did not opt to leave Athens. His questions on morality of people were valid.

So, shall we ask how can we build character in people that enable them think beyond self for collective good? Is it just material relations or class structure? And we can leave morality on means of production? Can we leave morality on the fear of hell or fruits of heaven? Can we leave morality on the justice system or the apparatus of state? Can we leave morality on the organizational culture? Can we leave morality on profitability and competition? How can we tackle the question of morality? What was there that produced Mandela? What was there that produced Gandhi? What was there that made people sacrifice for each other in Nazi concentration camps? Morality is interesting, ethics is necessary. We need to be good decision makers for survival of our own being. We need to be good decision makers to build our societies. We need to think beyond profit and loss.

(source: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/7a/63/34/7a6334bfc3ad335b5d629b1154685696–socrates-quotes-freedom.jpg)

I am impressed how Socrates used dialogue as a mean of inquiry and learning. It may not be a scientific method, but dialogue enables human beings to reflect and learn. It is the most engaging and productive way of development whether individual, organizational, national or international. Socratic Method evolved from dialogue to be a method of inquiry; putting it simply, it was to consider a statement as true until proven wrong or vice versa. Hence, it was to be challenged through all the questions possible.

Socrates was also of opinion that knowledge builds the ethics and judgment. This who make selfish decisions are ignorant. To go beyond self is to know more than ordinary. We see this in action, when we see people as Madame Curie, Martin Luther King Jr., Mandela, Copernicus and so many others.

For Socrates, the idea of virtue is very important. It is not the virtue but how one uses that virtue is important. Hence having virtue is not enough, but to know how to use a virtue is the real quality and an ability that distinguishes a man of virtue. He therefore thinks that all virtue is knowledge. ‘An unexamined life is not worth living.’

Socrates was a voice of doubt, change, morality, wisdom, knowledge and learning. He was a teacher that ignited the minds with questions and let them find the answers themselves. He was not a preacher but a teacher, a true benefactor of his pupil. He never forced himself on anyone, but asked people to form their ideas, achieve knowledge and be reflective for their own good. He said that ‘I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.’

 

Week7 – Thomas Alva Edison

What is so fascinating about Edison? If you ask me, I would say ‘he did not believe in giving up’, and that is a lesson for entrepreneurs, explorers and inventors. Failures for Edison were lessons on how not to do it. He famously said that ““I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” This quote has always been an admiration and a principle.

Thomas Edison (http://cdn.history.com/sites/2/2013/11/101237103-H.jpeg)

Edison was not just an innovator, he was testing his inventions and products and improving them. He was listening to the market, a key idea in today’s disruptive strategies and product innovation. When he created his electric pen, it was not accepted by people because it was heavy and noisy. Edison improved the design and tried to reduce noise and weight.

He was very quick to accept failures and fast to take corrective actions. He introduced his talking dolls in market and as soon as he learned about the problems and reaction of the market, he was quick to remove them from the market, so as they were never there. There was no fear or shame, it was simply a lesson for him.

A good number of his innovations and ideas failed, but paved for other innovations. ‘When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this – you haven’t’, he said. In the world of innovation and entrepreneurship, it is very common. People start with something and end up with something else, an idea that does not work for its intended purpose is adopted to solve another problem. We shall never end our quest to solve problems; we shall adapt, learn, unlearn and relearn. Edison hold over one thousand patents in his name across different countries, mainly USA. Some of his inventions became a contributor in major developments in communication, electric power, automobiles, and electronics.

As a child, he was considered a difficult personality (Thomas Edison), He was pulled from school to be taught at home. Most of his education was done by his own self. He has been selling paper on streets as a boy. As an entrepreneur, his first major endeavor was the newspaper ‘Grand Trunk Herald’ which he started after reserving rights to sell newspapers. While working, he built a laboratory in a train compartment. Years ago, I watched a television drama on his life, where he was shown performing experiments in this lab, the scenes are still alive in my memory. One day, he was experimenting with chemicals, the compartment caught fire. He was kicked out of the station. Well he was fired from another job, because of his night time experiments in workplace, but that must be another lesson for him. He said that ‘Negative results are just what I want. They’re just as valuable to me as positive results. I can never find the thing that does the job best until I find the ones that don’t.’ (Quotes of Edison)

Edison (https://www.biography.com/people/thomas-edison-9284349)

His first patent was electric vote recorder which was not well received. He then built a stock ticker which was received well in the market. He developed and sold quadruplex telegraph and built his own capability, a laboratory with employees in New Jersey. He was not to look back and moved on as a successful businessman and innovator. He invented the phonograph to record voices, and the kinetograph (and kinetoscope) to record and show videos that contributed to the development of music and film industries. Contrary to widespread believe, he was not the inventor of the light bulb. He was however accredited to make the bulb feasible for mass consumption and ready to be used in homes and commercial facilities. The light bulb was going to change the life style of the masses across the world. It would be a great contributor to the economy, production industries, supply, transportation, retail, services and what not.

He founded Edison Illuminating Company that was to become General Electric. He was probably one of the first inventors who founded successful corporation. He also started power generation and provided electric supply to the consumers.

He was a vocal supporter of nonviolence. ‘Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages.’ (Quotes of Edison). During world war 1, he was appointed by the government of USA as head of Naval consulting board, he was instrumental in support of the design of many innovations, all geared towards the defense system rather than offence and destruction.

He was a tough competitor, and to undermine his competitors he adopted violence to the animals as a technique (Tesla was not God, Edison was not Devil) , this is a sad chapter of his life. To prove alternate current harmful and dangerous, he arranged electrocution of animals in public. He was also very harsh on his employees. In fact, he was not very fond of large corporations and companies. He was happy to work in teams which were disruptive, not structured and developed towards innovation and design. As a businessman, he was successful but it was not the place where he was at home. He however was aware of the management and structured governance and he adopted the strategies to create efficient organizations for production and selling of his goods. And probably, his failures and lessons learned led him to be a strict manager and leader to induce discipline and efficiency.

His time was the time when management on an industrial and corporate scale was in infancy and social and political struggles were underway for the workers. His time was time of chaos and his aim was to achieve order. Survival was his quest and he was able to survive; he left legacy as one of the most successful men of his time.

‘Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.’
Thomas Alva Edison

Week6 – Farid Khan (Sher Shah Suri)

Very few men have made a great impact in a short time as done by Farid Khan. We know him by the title of Sher Shah literary the lion king. He was from Sur tribe of Pushtoons and that is why called Suri and thus the title ‘Sher Shah Suri’. He was a master strategist, exemplary administrator and brave commander and thus a great king. Akbar the great adopted the government system developed by Farid Khan and developed it further to build the foundations of the Mughal empire. Later the British adopted same system and introduced further reforms. Farid’s silver coin, the Rupiya is the predecessor of the Rupee the currency we see today in India and Pakistan.

Sher Shah (https://anjanadesigns.blogspot.com/2014/07/sher-shah-suri-lion-king-of-india.html)

Since childhood I have read the stories of the great king. A fascinating one is when he was in service of the governor of Bihar. The king was on a hunt when a tiger attacked him and Farid save the king, he killed the tiger by first pushing him away with bare hands.

He was son of a landlord and was raised to learn how to administer the lands and revenue. He was also trained in warfare. It was the time when Pathans (Pushtoons) have migrated and settled across India from their north western homeland which is part of Afghanistan and Pakistan today. They have ruled India as Lodhi and Khilji dynasties and it is the Lodhis that were defeated by Babar the first Mughal king in India. The Pathans had strong hold and positions across North India and a good number of them was present in the nobility and military across varied states in North and administrative units of the Dehli Sultanate.

Farid from beginning was a sharp mind, a rebel and an intelligent maneuverer. He fled his father’s estate in Bihar when young and found a patron in Jaunpur UP. The cause was his step mother who wanted the estate to be given to her son and his step brother. These situations made Farid Khan learn the art of survival. After his father’s death he was awarded the estates by Ibrahim Lodhi but the step brothers continued to fight over control of the estate and found patrons to have support. Farid eventually ended up in the Mughal camp in order to survive and recapture the control over his father’s estate.

As the Mughals defeated the Lodhis, the balance of power turned towards Farid and with their help he was able to recover the control of the estate. Through his patron Junaid Birlas, he was introduced to the Mughal Emperor Babar. Farid server Babar in expedition of Chanderi. He observed the Mughal administration and military very closely and this learning helped him defeating Humayun the son of Babar.

There is an interesting story that once while in the presence of the Emperor Babar, the meal was served and there was a solid dish (some accounts say it was fish) for which there was nothing but spoon to eat with. Farid took out his dagger and cut the food to be able to consume through the spoon. Babar was watching him and said to his minister “Keep an eye on Sher Khan, he is a clever man, and the marks of royalty are visible on his forehead” (Sher Shah) . It is during this time Farid said that ““if luck and fortune favor me, I will very shortly expel the Mughals from Hind”. This statement made its way to the emperor and Farid had to fled the camp.

Farid kept on escalating in his career and faced Babar once again in Bihar as a regent to the Sultan Jalal Khan of Bihar. Babar ended up defeating a united from of the Pathans, but pardoned Farid and Jalal and restored their status. Soon Farid took over control and made conquests that gave him a strong position in Bihar and Bengal. That’s where he became a target of Humayun the son of late emperor Babar. HUmayun demanded Farid to give up Bihar and Bengal. Farid resisted and defeated the Mughals in the Battle of Chausa (Sher Shah and his times) on 26^th June 1539. Its where Faris titled himself Farid al Din Sher Shah.

The defeat of Humayun was made possible by Farid because of Humayun’s conflict with the Sultan Bahadur of Gujrat. Interestingly the Portuguese were involved in the conflict and supported Bahadur. Humayun was caught between two strong enemies and he was able to defeat Bahadur. However, the beneficiary was Farid who strengthen himself and took control over Bengal that gave him the monetary power to establish a strong army. Humayun made tactical mistakes and delayed to face Farid in the battle. Humayun’s conflicts with his brothers went to the advantage of Farid as well.

In Chausa, Farid showed his strategic and tactical abilities to defeat Mughals. His objective was to defeat the Mughals while Humayun was on a survival strategy. As the armies collided, none was able to have an edge. The result was a strange negotiation that ended up in an agreement to keep the honour and hence a retreat by both. However, Farid saw an opportunity when he found Mughals to be relaxed and attacked the Mughal camp. Babar was proving right and history was rewritten by this clever man.

Humayun was to be defeated once again by Farid on 17^th May 1540 in Kannuj. Humayun fled towards Lahore and from there to take refuge in Iran via Sindh where Akbar was born. This was the start of the very short reign of Farid the Sher Shah over North India. He reigned around five years and continue to expand his control over north west and east. He led conquests in Malwa, Punjab, Sindh, Ranthambhor, Raisin, Marwar, Chittor and Kalinjar. It was in Kalinjar where he was injured, succumbed to the injuries and died.

India under Sher Shah (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:India_under_Sher_Shah.png)

Within five years of his government, Farid was able to evolve a system of governance that is alive to date in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Mughals adopted and further enhanced his system and so the British. He divided the empire into fourty seven sarkars (divisions) and the sarkars were further divided into parganas. He founded the postal system that became the foundation of the efficient communication and decision making across his government. He administered a survey of the lands on a scale which was unprecedented considering the limited time he had. He improved the revenue policies and implemented a universal system of revenue collection across the empire. He kept the record of the selection of soldiers in his army along with the horses, and took personal interest in training of the army.

One of his remarkable achievements in the construction of roads. The famous grand trunk road was a big achievement and it was known as the great road in his time. He was very focused to improve trade and trade routes. He administered the safety and security of travellers and traders across the empire. He was the visionary builder of these bloodlines of the empires that would survive for over four hundred years under Mughals and the British. If we call him, the founder of the Mughal empire, it may be incorrect dynastically but correct administratively by all means.

Week5- Amir Khusrow

( Picture from https://tribune.com.pk/story/1041381/getting-into-amir-khusros-trance/)

Mun tu shudam tu mun shudi,mun tun shudam tu jaan shudi
Taakas na guyad baad azeen, mun deegaram tu deegari

Translation:
I have become you, and you me. I am the body, you are the soul.
So that no one can say hereafter, that you are other, and me someone else.

This is a famous and fascinating couplet of Khusrow; I rather remember him for his riddles that I heard in childhood. Later, I read more about him and it was amazing to know that the person who wrote in simple Hindustani or Hindi was a master in Persian or Farsi, a musician, a poet, a sufi, a writer, a soldier and member of royal courts. He saw the reign of Turks, the Khiljis, and the Tughlaqs in what we call the Saltanate times in India. He is said to serve seven kings along with a number of nobles and princes. He was disciple to Nizam Uddin Aulia, the notable sufi saint of his time.

He was born to a Turk father and Indian mother and he was raised by his maternal grandfather and so he grew up in strong Indian roots. In him we see the start of the fusion of Central Asian and Persian culture with the Indian culture, these are the times when the foreign invaders were adopting India as their home never to return back. It was the time when a new language was born and the Sufis were spreading their message of tolerance and acceptance and Hindi version of Sufism was emerging. It is the time when Khusrow wrote:

Kafir-e-ishqam musalmani mara darkaar neest
Har rag-e mun taar gashta hajat-e zunnaar neest;
Az sar-e baaleen-e mun bar khez ay naadaan tabeeb
Dard mand-e ishq ra daroo bajuz deedaar neest;
Nakhuda dar kashti-e maagar nabashad go mubaash
Makhuda daareem mara nakhuda darkaar neest;
Khalq mi goyad ki Khusrau but parasti mi kunad
Aarey aarey mi kunam ba khalq mara kaar neest.

 I am an infidel of love: the creed of Muslims I do not need;
Every vein of mine has become taunt like a wire,
the girdle I do not need.
Leave my bedside, you ignorant physician!
The only cure for the patient of love is the sight of his beloved –
other than this, no medicine does he need.
If there be no pilot in our boat, let there be none:
We have God in our midst: the sea we do not need.
The people of the world say that Khusrau worships idols.
So he does, so he does; the world he does not need.

(https://blogs.harvard.edu/sulaymanibnqiddees/tag/amir-khusrow/)

(Picture from: http://shivsangels.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/i-become-you-you-become-me-amir-khusro.html)

He was a prolific poet and writer. There are around eighteen books attributed to him which include poetry and prose. His contribution to music is debated while there are legends that he invented instruments like Sitar and Tabla and ragas along with few genres. His knowledge of music cannot be denied. He may have not invented them but he definitely contributed towards Qawwali and Naqsh-e-Gul or Tarana. He has contributed to the music same way he contributed to the language and poetry by creating a fusion of cultures and civilizations, thus a true Indian tradition.

What is unique about Khusrow is his fame amongst masses, the common as well as the elite. He is famous in the world by his Persian poetry, but in India, he is famous through his Hindavi or Hindi poetry, qawwalis and riddles. He was one of the first poets, if not very first, of the Sultanate times that is popular in masses till today. As mentioned by Nehru, he is known by what he wrote for common man in the language understood by common man. In his writings we see the lives of people, he speaks their language and writes their emotions. Why we remember Khusrow, but not his contemporary poets and artisans from the royal courts? Because Khusrow was deep rooted in his people and culture.

I heard his riddles from my grandmother, aunt and mother at a young age.

Beeson ka sir kaat liya

Na maara na khoon kiya

A: Naakhoon

Twenty heads were taken off,

There was no killing no murder

A: Nails

(http://myfavestories.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/amir-khusro-dehwali-riddles-ii.html)

The language used by him in his Hindavi poetry is language of people. Interestingly, he has adopted the language of a woman in love to express his feelings. Weather it is union or separation, it is happiness or sadness, it is affection or pain, Khusrow uses the expression of a woman and takes the reader to a level of devotion, self-endowment and consigning that is specific to women and hence very pure, light and affectionate.

Chhap tilak sab cheeni ray mosay naina milaikay
Chhap tilak sab cheeni ray mosay naina milaikay
Prem bhatee ka madhva pilaikay
Matvali kar leeni ray mosay naina milaikay
Gori gori bayyan, hari hari churiyan
Bayyan pakar dhar leeni ray mosay naina milaikay
Bal bal jaaon mein toray rang rajwa
Apni see kar leeni ray mosay naina milaikay
Khusrau Nijaam kay bal bal jayyiye
Mohay Suhaagan keeni ray mosay naina milaikay
Chhap tilak sab cheeni ray mosay naina milaikay

Translation
You’ve taken away my looks, my identity, by just a glance.
By making me drink the wine of love-potion,
You’ve intoxicated me by just a glance;
My fair, delicate wrists with green bangles in them,
Have been held tightly by you with just a glance.
I give my life to you, Oh my cloth-dyer,
You’ve dyed me in yourself, by just a glance.
I give my whole life to you Oh, Nijam,
You’ve made me your bride, by just a glance.

(https://allpoetry.com/Chaap-Tilak-?page=3)

And there is a unique poem, in which first line of a couplet is in Persian and the second is in Hindi, this could only be done by Khusrow.

Zehaal-e-miskeen makun taghaful,
Duraye naina banaye batiyan.

Do not overlook my misery,
by blandishing your eyes and weaving tales,

Ke taab-e-hijran nadaram ay jaan,
Na leho kahe lagaye chatiyan.

My patience has over-brimmed, O sweetheart!
why do you not take me to your bosom.

Shaban-e-hijran daraz chun zulf,
Wa roz-e-waslat cho umer kotah.

Long like curls in the night of separation
short like life on the day of our union.

Sakhi piya ko jo main na dekhun,
To kaise kaTun andheri ratiyan.

My dear, how will I pass the dark dungeon night
without your face before.

Yakayak az dil do chashm-e-jadu,
Basad farebam baburd taskin.

Suddenly, using a thousand tricks
the enchanting eyes robbed me of my tranquil mind.

Kisay pari hai jo ja sunave,
Piyare pi ko hamari batiyan,

Who would care to go and report
this matter to my darling.

Cho shama sozan cho zaraa hairan,
Hamesha giryan be ishq an meh.

Tossed and bewildered, like a flickering candle,
I roam about in the fire of love.

Na nind naina na ang chaina,
Na aap aaven na bhejen patiyan,

Sleepless eyes, restless body,
neither comes she, nor any message.

Bahaq-e-roz-e-visaal-e-dilbar,
Ke daad mara gharib Khusro.

In honour of the day I meet my beloved
who has lured me so long, O Khusro!

Sapet man ke varaye rakhun,
Jo jaye pauN piya ke khatiyan.

I shall keep my heart suppressed
if ever I get a chance to get to her trick.

(https://sufipoetry.wordpress.com/category/amir-khusro/)

Week4- Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott

I am always inspired by stories of Amundsen and Scott. Amundsen was the first man to reach the South Pole. Scott at the same time was attempting to reach the South pole and he was able to make it more than a month after Amundsen. In return journey Scott and his men died, they were 20 km from a supply depot (Scott of Antarctic). We know Scott as Scott of Antarctic, and his ship Terra Nova has remained a fascination. Roald became the first man to reach both poles when in 1926 he landed at North Pole by the airship named Norge.

Terra Nova (Picture from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TerraNova.jpg)

A journey to unknown is filled with surprises, disappointments and setbacks, and it takes extraordinary courage and planning to achieve what is not achieved before. It is amazing how men inspired by curiosity and will to make a difference took these journeys, they suffered from hardships but triumphed. The expedition to the South Pole led by both explorers is one great story to be told. Both explorers started their journeys based on their past experience and expertise throughout their careers. They had successful careers and trust of people behind them. They both took different journeys towards same destination with strategy and plans in line with their strengths and experience.

Amundsen was planning for expedition towards North Pole in 1909 when he heard the news of Robert Peary reaching there first. In an extraordinary decision he decided to switch towards South. He was in debt and it was necessary for him to have a success. He on boarded the ship FRAM in 1910. He kept his mission secret and the crew was not informed till a specific time. He sent Scott a telegram informing him of his decision (Leadership Lessons from the Race to the South Pole). Amundsen ‘s planning and means of expedition were completely different from Scott. Supply was the key factor in success of the expedition, so as the means of journey from the base camp to the North Pole. It is interesting that Roald chose Inuit type of skin cloths to wear along with sledges and dogs as means of transport. It was his earlier knowledge through the Canadian expedition of the Northwest Passage that helped him making his decisions.

Roald and his team at the South Pole (At the South Pole (Wikipedia))

Scott on the other hand has faced difficult conditions and uncertainties for obvious unknown variables such as tough weather conditions and storms. His strategy and plans were different. He has a different route and supply posts; he has chosen ponies for transportation to the base camp and supply depots. The ponies died along the route. The journey to the pole was taken along with horses, dogs and motor sledges. Scott and his team approached the pole after Amundsen is merely a fact, it was not intended by them to have this race, although Scott was aware of Roald’s expedition and he was also aware of certain advantages Roald has taken due to his planning. Scott in his own right has done what he could to achieve his goals and he was not a failure, not at all. The return journey from the pole faced the disaster due to extreme weather and failure of the troop at the base camp to follow orders delivered by Scott (Scott of Antarctic could have been saved).

Scott and his team at the South Pole ( Terra Nova (Wikipedia))

This is the irony of fate that Roald left the tent which he called the Polheim, at the South Pole for Scott. He left some equipment and a letter for the King of Norway for Scott to deliver (South Pole Expedition). He was not sure if he would be able to make it but he was confident of Scott’s capabilities and abilities.

Last three lines of the poem Ulysses are:

One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

The final line of the poem is craved on the cross on Observation Hill in memory of Scott and his team.

The cross on Observation Hill (http://www.antarctic-circle.org/tennyson.htm)

Week3 – George Washington

I remember George Washington as a man of leadership, strategy and commitment. He was committed with democracy and the republic and he fulfilled his commitment when in 1783 the war of independence ended in victory of allies.

The resignation of George Washington (Image source: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/5a/ec/96/5aec96ee5eb6bbf9b8141b2d62925bd0.jpg)

During the war of independence, he led his colonial army and transformed it from a poorly organised, ill equipped and badly supplied to a force that eventually took down the British. He motivated his men to set their goals and developed the determination that kept them going in difficult situations. He led his men not in victories but in retreats and managed to manoeuvre according to ground realities. Leadership and strategy is not just about wining, it is also about how to get to the back foot, save your energies and emerge back. George Washington’s career is a great insight into manoeuvring and steering through difficult choices and decisions.

He showed his ability to see greater good and long term national interest by giving up his commission and returning back to his estate after the war was won. Had it been difficult for him to seize power? Probably not. It was an act of wisdom and commitment to the national cause. He was able to command respect from people through his commitment towards them both in times of war and peace. His commitment with democratic process and the republic directed United States towards growth rather than further conflicts and internal war. He was able to save the country from further exploitation in hands of foreign powers and consolidated the transfer of power towards people.

He was a master in negotiation and showed his abilities in complex situations. During his presidency, he was able to organize and manage his cabinet with men of opposing ideologies and believes (George Washington). This was a master act of leadership, how he managed his cabinet of powerful, strong yet conflict personalities like Hamilton and Jefferson.

During his presidency his strategy was that of non-alignment and no involvement in international conflicts such as between Britain and France (after the French revolution). He focused on the stability of the United States and her economic progress. He went into treaties with Great Britain that avoided further conflicts and grew trade and commerce. There was a risk of endangering relation with France which was tackled politically. France had been a strong support to the Americans during the war. The European political situation was complex, the French revolutionary wars created challenges for leadership in America. The decision to be neutral was remarkable and the contributor towards future emergence of United States as a world power. This decision helped the leadership focused on domestic challenges and internal growth rather than exploiting energies on foreign conflicts.

He was an entrepreneur and invested his efforts in development of his estates in Mount Vernon (The Entrepreneur ). He took risk and accepted positions that demanded self believe and determination. He was able to see what others could not and hence he led his people towards unforeseeable results with strategic focus and masterful planning. He was able to build supply chains and resources for his military and civil undertakings. He was a financial planner and reader of contemporary economical ideas, he adopted and supported the use of technology.

We see a man of action and ideology in George Washington, his leadership was the critical success factor for the newly born country. He consolidated power for the republic and created policies that contributed for the growth and future of the country. He was against involvement in conflicts and military expeditions, a policy that has been adopted by leaders around the world. He was a believer in the power of people continuity of the democratic process. He left an example by moving out of power twice, first as a general and then as a president. This was the foundation stone of the democratic tradition of the United States.

Week2 – Dr Muhammad Yunus

Muhammad Yunus does not need any introduction, he is an accomplished entrepreneur, economist and anthropologist. He has given us the concepts and frameworks for micro finance and social business. He is a Nobel laureate. I remember him as the ‘Banker to the poor’, the title of his autobiography.

(Photo: http://offbeatexplorers.com/book-review-banker-to-the-poor/)

The Grameen Bank and Micro-credit

Establishment of Grameen bank and the principles it was founded on, the strategy and the product; it is all very impressive. The bank started to give credit to a groups of people. The idea was to help them to be independent and start selling their products directly to the market without the middle man. Mostly these group members were women and most of the products were hand made. The credit was provided to two members and as they started to pay the installments then the credit was provided to other members. The program was structured in a way that group members were responsible to ensure that the installments are paid. They had representatives of bank meeting them regularly, discussing their progress and providing them guidance on day to day issues.

“All human beings are born entrepreneurs. Some get a chance to unleash that capacity. Some never got the chance, never knew that he or she has that capacity.” Muhammad Yunus

Grameen Telecom and the subsequent business Grameen Phone was an initiative for the same people, it is very impressive. Idea was to help them utilize the telecommunication service to improve their channels and bring efficiency to the product delivery and serve the demand. Grameen Phone is a joint venture between Telenor and Grameen Telecom.

There are many other ventures that have been initiated under the leadership of Dr. Yunus. These ventures are for-profit, not-for-profit or a social business. Danone France, went into a partnership with Grameen to produce fortified yoghurt for malnourished children. Grameen Veolia Water Ltd, is a joint venture aimed to provide water production and treatment plants to the poor in Bangladesh. This is a social business, aimed at selling WHO standard drinking water at 1 takka (0.012 US $) per 10 litres. (We are all entrepreneurs).

A social business is a unique model combining the for-profit business model with social service based model. Social entrepreneurship has gained a currency in recent times and there are numerous social businesses working around the globe. The basic model is to build business to address a social problem. The investment is arranged from traditional investment means. Objective is to return the investors their investment through the profits made and then utilize further profits for business growth and development. There are no further dividends once the original investment has been returned based on agreement done at the time of investment. Furthermore, the founders and owners do not get any dividends continuously and hence the profits are geared towards improving the services and their scope, creating the social impact that is the primary aim.

“Poverty is not created by the people; poverty is created by the system. Our mindsets have created the poverty. ” Muhammed Yunus

Here you can watch and listen to the man and his story:

https://youtu.be/XvwllE33cy4

Criticism on Micro credit Model

There has been criticism on the man and his initiatives. The major criticism is on the viability of micro credit, citing that the interest rate is very high (The micro credit delusion) and the claims on impacts of micro credit are exaggerated (Micro credit does not end poverty). Most of the critics are of opinion that micro credit in itself is not the ultimate solution to curb poverty. An interesting idea is to provide cash transfers to the people instead of providing micro credits and here is an interesting book on this idea : Just give money to the poor (Give money to the poor). In an interesting article by The Economist studies was cited that find no reasonable evidence that micro credit overcome poverty, but they mention that the study period was only three years which is not enough to see the real impact. They however find no evidence that returning the loans had an impact on the borrowers (Micro Credit). There was no evidence to see an impact on the domestic relations as mostly the borrowers are women and the men may see a challenge with the eventual control women obtain in the household. It perhaps is a long debate between the schools, the micro credit model is not a traditional banking model and it overlooks the political, social and anthropological side of the poverty. It has been mentioned by critics that poverty elevation is a political task as well, hence improvement in the government and legislation is also necessary. The society, class structure and relations are important so as education, democracy and awareness about the right of people. Poverty is a social and political challenge, not just an economical one.

Conclusion

Achievements of Dr. Yunus however have lessons for all of us. At his age, he is very active and mobile. He is an example of self believe, determination and being the change he wishes to bring about. He has achieved a lot, perhaps his decision to enter in politics was a big mistake and so we know that a man can make mistakes, no one is ideal. His ideas are no ordinary ideas, they have impressed us and they have motivated us to take decisions and do our bid to achieve our aims. Social business is now a well-known and well adopted model. Micro credit has adopted by third world and it has impacted the life of millions. This impact is no ordinary impact, initiated by one man. We must acknowledge it.

2018 Week1- Arunima Sinha

I am starting this new blog posts series. I will write on personalities that have inspired me. There will be one post each week.

The personality I have chosen for first week of 2018 is Arunima Sinha. She is world’s first woman amputee who climbed Mount Everest. Her introduction itself is challenging, the words do not sound good and I feel awkward. Being a woman shall not be a problem for anyone, but sadly it is. In the part of world from where Sinha belongs, it definitely is challenging to be a woman. There are obstacles for woman deep root in culture, norms and behavior of society. Woman in South Asia has a long walk to go before freedom. That freedom would be to be who they are, without fear of repercussion and abuse. Sinha definitely is a torch bearer in her society. Her life is filled with challenges and obstacles, accidents and struggles. She overcome them with consistency, determination and dedication.

At Mount Everest

(Photo from http://arunimasinha.com/viewphotogallery.php?p_id=7)

About Her

Arunima was born in Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pardesh India. She became a volleyball player and played at national level. In order to have a stable and secure future, she decided to go for selection in CIFS. Life was normal abide challenges till April 2011. On 11^th of April 2011, she was on-board a train while robbed. She resisted the robbers and in the struggle, she was pushed out of the train. She fell on the tracks, unfortunately there was another train coming on those tracks and she was not able to get up and move. The train ran over and her leg was crushed.

This accident was a turning point in her life. She suffered from not just physical injuries but her world turned upside down. There were false news and misbehaviour. The treatment only started when sports institutes got involved. She was compensated by Indian Railway on orders of the Illahabad high court. She was also provided with a prosthetic leg (http://www.makingpeacewithlife.com/uncategorized/arunima-sinha-biography/).

It was months before she was recovered. It was a time of reflection and decision. There were choices for her, easy choice was to compromise with situation and live an obscure dark life with an amputated leg. But, it was not what she wanted with her life. She decided to climb the highest peaks across continents. That decision was not a normal decision. People must have sympathized or laughed if they would have heard her. But she was determined and calculated to achieve what she decided. She wanted to prove that she can lead an exemplary life despite being special. She did not want sympathy and was not ready to live on other’s shoulders. She had blessings and support of her family. They stayed with her and backed her up in her decision.

Her Achievement

In 2012, Arunima joined Tata Steel Adventure Foundation, under the training from Bachendri Pal (indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/bachendri-pal/1/674965.html). Same year she climbed Island Peak in Nepal. In April 2013, she was on her way to Everest. On May 21^st 2013, she reached the summit of Mount Everest (Arunima Sinha).

Climbing Everest is not easy, the altitude is so high that it put climbers in danger of death. Major obstacle is deficiency of oxygen and thus a certain time frame in which one can make the final climb. The most common cause of death is fall (Why Everest is so risky?). Now imagine how a person would be making this climb? What it takes to be prepared for it? Both physical and mental strength is necessary. It also takes hard training to be ready for the mission. There is nothing ordinary about mountain climbing.

This is her story in her own words:

Arunima’s Motivational Speech

She has climbed following peaks so far:

• Mount Everest Nepal Asia 8, 848 meters (May 2013)
  
• Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania Africa 5,895 meters (May 2014)
  
• Mount Elbrus in Russia Europe 5,642 meters (July 2014)
  
• Mount Kosciuszko in Australia 2,642 meters (April 2015)
  
• Mount Aconcagua in Argentina South America 6,962 meters (Dec 2015)
  
• Mount Carstensz in Indonesia Asia 4,884 meters (July 2016)
  

Arunima’s story is impressive and inspiring. She reminded me of Alexey Maresyev, the Russian pilot who lost both his legs after being shot down by the Nazis in 1942. He returned as a fighter pilot in 1943, and took part in missions. I will probably write about him later. Arunima has set an example of hard work, dedication and making possible what we call impossible. Her life is extra ordinary life, she overcome the challenges and utilized what resources she had to achieve her objectives.

We do not see her complaining about the problems but finding ways to solve them. We see her mustering the strength and building herself to be ready for the climb. We see her not waiting for life to be smooth and streamlined, she was put way out of the comfort zone and she decided to remain there to change the outlook of her life. She clearly had a choice and she choose the most difficult path, she chooses discomfort and struggle with rare chances of success. She took a very high risk of putting her life in danger in order to achieve her objective.

What we learn from Arunima Sinha?

• Be ready to change the course of your life, you have the reigns of your fate in your hands
• Be ready for unexpected: stop-reflect-change-plan-act
• Do not give up in hardest of times
• Do not just think; instead Plan and Act, action is necessary to achieve your goals
• Once you act, you get the help and resources to move on your path
• Commitment and persistence takes you an extra mile, and that extra mile takes you to your destination

Where is She now?

Now she works to help physically challenged and established her academy called ‘Shaheed Chandershekhar Azad Divyang Khel Academy (http://azadsports.com). She is running her foundation Arunima Foundation. Her book ‘Born Again on the Mountain’ was published in 2014. She was awarded Padma Shiri the fourth highest civilian award of India in 2015.

Security Concerns around Cloud Computing

Wang And Laszewski (2011) have defined cloud computing as: “A computing Cloud is a set of network enabled services, providing scalable, QoS guaranteed, normally personalized, inexpensive computing infrastructures on demand, which could be accessed in a simple and pervasive way.” Cloud based services are usually distributed in four broad categories (Jullsch and Hall, 2010, Buyya et al., Wang and Laszewski, 2011):

• Infrastructure as a service
• Platform as a service
• Software as a service
• Cloud storage service

Many organizations are acquiring a separate space in a cloud offering or there is a possibility to share cloud based services, hence there are two generic types of clouds:

• Private clouds
• Public clouds

Real strength of cloud computing is the enabling technology used in a cloud based service offering, some examples (Wang and Laszewski (2011), Vouk, 2008) are:

• Virtualization technologies
• Data storage technologies
• Web 2.0
• Web services
• Service oriented architecture
• Workflows
• Programming tools and APIs

There are many emerging and promising cloud platforms like Amazon EC2, Google App Engine, Microsoft Azure, Aneka and cloud computing is expected to be a $160 billion market (Buyya et al. )

Cloud computing is an emerging trend and although technology behind cloud computing is very mature, areas such as standardization, compliance, regulations and security are still in developing phase and hence overall cloud offerings may still have potential drawbacks. Greg (2010) has pointed out several such concerns and suggested what customers should be careful to assess while reviewing a cloud offering. In summary Greg (2010) has pointed to following questions:

• Where is the data?
• Who has access?
• What are your regulatory requirements?
• Do you have the right to audit?
• What type of training does the provider offer their employees?
• What type of data classification system does the provider use?
• What are the service level agreement (SLA) terms?
• What is the long-term viability of the provider?
• What happens if there is security breach?
• What is the disaster recovery/business continuity plan (DR/BCP)?

Moreover in an article published in Credit Union Magazine (‘Core Operations to the Cloud’ 2011), following loops are identified in cloud computing

• Loss of control over data
• Reduced ability to customize application
• Industry standards are still evolving
• Regulators response not yet clarified
• Security standards are still in development

These concerns can be classified in following broad categories:

• Security
• Regulation and Compliance
• Service Management
• Availability and Reliability

These concerns are present when an organization is considering to outsource and acquiring services from a service provider, moreover there is always progress and evolution in these areas and overall standards in IT (with respect to these areas) have been evolved to a great length so as there is progress in cloud computing as mentioned by Edwards (2009). In order to avoid these risks a company should evaluate the cloud service offering as suggested by different writers (Edwards, 2009, ‘Core Operations to the Cloud’ 2011, Scott, 2010):

• Understand the cloud
• Demand transparency
• reinforce internal security
• Consider the legal implications
• Pay attention
• Due diligence in vendor selection

Security is a major concern in adoption of cloud computing. Zhao et al (2010) have suggested different deployment models for a cloud computing based solution to eliminate security concerns:

1. Separation model: suggests that separating the role or duty in different clouds, so at least two different cloud computing service providers are involved in a single transaction.
2. Availability model: suggests to replicate each service between two providers hence it will be running services in a high availability cluster type framework
3. Migration service: where data can be migrated between two providers to make sure that it will be available and user will not be forced to keep with one provider.
4. Tunnel Model: to make sure service providers will not be able to collide with each other, a secure tunnel can be created between different services. This tunnel will itself be a service.
5. Cryptographic Model: can complement any of above models to make sure defence against unauthorized access to data.

Technological development is addressing the key security issues in cloud computing, such as encryption of the stored data (Edwards, 2009) these developments are enabling secure cloud offering a reality as mentioned by Zhao et al (2010) that cloud computing can be deployed as a security solution. Morsy, Grundy and Muller (2010) have identified following technology enablers in cloud computing infrastructure which make the cloud offerings secure and robust:

• Identity and access management and federation
• Key management
• Secure software development life-cycle
• Security performance trade-off life cycle
• Federation of security among multi clouds

Similarly Zissis and Lekkas (2010) have discussed how secure communication technologies such as IPSec, certificate based authorization using PKI certificates, digital signatures, and a combination of other security features such as domains and cryptography can enable delivery of a secure communication channel between service provider and clients, they (Zissis and Lekkas,2010) have mentioned following steps to enable trust:

• Low and high level confidentiality
• Server and Client authentication
• Creation of security domains
• Cryptographic separation of data
• Certificate based authorization

Following industry standards and obtaining external audit and security certification such as SAS 70 audits will also help cloud service providers to create a goodwill and industry accreditation (Edwards, 2009). Scot (2010) points out that “if business’s security concerns are being addressed, the location of data should be of little concern”.

Moreover the emphasis should be on business benefits and productivity, such as how cloud computing can support businesses such as SMEs (Scott, 2010, Cohen 2012). As happened with emerging technologies in past, realization of business benefits has resulted in investment, evolution and standardization.

References:-

• Wang, L, Von Laszewski, G, 2008, “Cloud Computing: a Perspective Study” Steinbuch Centre for Computing, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany, EBSCOhost, viewed 25 January 2012.
• Buyyaa, R, Yeo, CS, Venugopala, S, James B & Brandic I, 2008, “Cloud computing and emerging IT platforms: Vision, hype, and reality for delivering computing as the 5th utility”. Grid Computing and Distributed Systems (GRIDS) Laboratory, Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Australia, EBSCOhost, viewed 25 January 2012.
• Vouk, MA 2008, “Cloud Computing – Issues, Research and Implementations”. Department of Computer Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Journal of Computing and Information Technology – CIT 16, 2008, 4, pp. 235-246, EBSCOhost, viewed 25 January 2012.
• Gregg Michael, 2010, “10 Security Concerns for cloud computing”, http://www.globalknowledge.ae/knowledge%20centre/white%20papers/virtualisation%20white%20papers/10%20security%20concerns%20for%20cloud.aspx, viewed 25 January 2012
• Morsy A.M, Grundy J, Muller I, 2010, “An Analysis of the cloud computing security problem”, In Proceedings of APSEC 2010 Cloud Workshop, Sydney, Australia, http://org.ntnu.no/cloudsecurity/thesis/Trusted%20Computing/resources/An%20Analysis%20of%20The%20Cloud%20Computing%20Security%20Problem.pdf, viewed 25 January 2012
• ‘Core Operations to the Cloud’ 2011, Credit Union Magazine, 77, 9, pp. 34-38, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 30 January 2012.
• Zhao G, Rong C, Jaatun MG & Sandnes FE, 2010, “Reference deployment models for eliminating user concerns on cloud security“,http://www.springerlink.com/content/74112128p2065232/, viewed 25 January 2012
• Edwards J, 2009, ‘Cutting Through the Fog of Cloud Security’, Computerworld, 43, 8, pp. 26-29, Computers & Applied Sciences Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 27 January 2012.
• Julisch, K 2010, ‘Security and Control in the Cloud’, Information Security Journal: A Global Perspective, 19, 6, pp. 299-309, Health Business Elite, EBSCOhost, viewed 27 January 2012.
• Scott W, 2010, “Cloud security: is it really an issue for SMBs?”, Computer Fraud & Security, Volume 2010, Issue 10, October 2010, Pages 14-15, ISSN 1361-3723, 10.1016/S1361-3723(10)70133-0. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1361372310701330, viewed 26 January 2012
• Zissis D & Lekkas D, 2012, “Addressing cloud computing security issues”, Future Generation Computer Systems, Volume 28, Issue 3, March 2012, Pages 583-592, ISSN 0167-739X, 10.1016/j.future.2010.12.006.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167739X10002554, viewed 26 January 2012

Bandwidth-To Connect and Grow

Decision makers specially in developing world may fail to understand the important role of technology infrastructure specially Telecommunication and Internet. World Wide Web and Mobile communication is growing and revolutionizing both business and consumer behaviour. An important key performance indicator of many growing economies such as India, China, Israel or Canada is their IT exports and outsourcing services. Not only that but their telecommunication infrastructure is supporting their growth in other sectors as well, because competitive businesses are relying on fast and reliable information communication more than ever. There was an interesting report from India dated 2000, that anticipated a loss of US $22.5 billion in export revenues in next eight years if bandwidth shortage is not met (1). India since then has come forward greatly with an infrastructure supporting some of the largest outsourcing and services operations.

To be able to compete these countries are highly depended on internet connectivity with the rest of world. It is important not only to have reliable connectivity but capacity is also important to keep standards and meet requirements and dead lines. In 2005, a problem with submarine cable, caused an interruption to communication services in Pakistan, Internet access was almost unavailable and caused losses to E-business and e-commerce sector, ISPs, Call Centres and software developers (2). This was a special case and lesson for many that how much important is this almost ignored infrastructure component generally called internet access. Many tried to switch to alternates such as satellite connections and faced yet another dilemma i.e. insufficient bandwidth to carry on business as usual. Bandwidth is required to deliver services involved data, voice or video communication such as streaming, conferencing, software and BPO, call centres etc.

Sothern Cross Cable Networks, an international bandwidth provider in the Pacific region, is delivering 295 GB/s and anticipates to grow it to 1.2 TB/s as demand is growing (3). It is a complex under sea submarine cable infrastructure from continent to continent and countries to countries as shown in figure below (4). Providers include Alcatel, Ericsson Cable, Fujitsu, Hitachi, OCC, Siemens and many others (5).   There are cables dedicated for scientific purposes (6) along those used for commercial purposes (7).

Satellite communication is another method of international internet connectivity. There can be more than 300 communication satellites in geostationary orbit ( 8), Intelsat, New skies, ITC Global and Eutelsat are few of international satellite services providers. Satellite communication has various drawbacks, nevertheless it is a good backup source for service providers highly reliant on internet bandwidth, moreover for countries which are landlocked such as in Africa (9), it is a cheap alternate.

International bandwidth has reached around 40 TB in 2010 with an increase of 13 TB in that year alone (10). By end of 2010, there were 2 billion internet users around the globe and 5.3 billion cellular subscriptions(11). With rise of mobile users around the globe, saturation of cellular market in developed world but a high growth rate in developing world, demand of international bandwidth will increase.

References:-

1. Achar, Arapna, ISPs expect bandwidth supply boom- Internet service provider- Industry trend or event, http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0TLC/is_11_34/ai_67447054/, last viewed 20th May 2011

2. Afzal,Muhammad, Effect of fiber cut in Pakistan, http://www.sanog.org/resources/sanog6/idrees-pk-fibercut.pdf, last viewed 20th May 2011

3. Network, http://www.southerncrosscables.com/public/Network/default.cfm, last viewed 20th May 2011

4. The internet’s under sea world  http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Technology/Pix/pictures/2008/02/01/SeaCableHi.jpg, last viewed 20th May 2011

5. http://www.kidorf.com/DBSuppliers.php, last viewed 20th May 2011

6. Scientific Cables, http://www.iscpc.org/cabledb/Scientific_Cable_db.htm, last viewed 20th May 2011

7. Cable Database, http://www.iscpc.org/, last viewed 20th May 2011

8. Satellite internet: broadband service providers and dish pointing – worldwide, http://www.satsig.net/, last viewed 20th May 2011

9. Why we need affordable international bandwidth, http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?conds[0][category……..]=%27Why%20we%20need%20affordable%20international%20bandwidth%27&als[select]=4051582&als[MYALIAS6]=Why%20we%20need%20affordable%20international%20bandwidth, last viewed 20th May 2011

10. Now that’s bandwidth, http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/10/now-thats-bandwidth-international-net-links-add-13tbps-in-2010.ars , last viewed 20th May 2011

11. The world in 2010, ICT facts and figures, http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/material/FactsFigures2010.pdf, last viewed 20th May 2011