Thursday 11 February 2016

A Letter By KPS Gill Saab

Buzdilon ke ishq mein,

shaida mujhe kyon kar kiya.

Is namard desh mein paida mujhe kyon kar kiya”- जोश मलीहाबादी
[An excerpt from the press satetement of KPS Gill, Former Director General of Punjab Police]
Full text of the statement at the end of the post.
The ongoing ‘trial by media’ of the Gujarat Police Officers, subsequent to the filing of the ‘first’ charge sheet by the CBI in the ‘Irshat Jehan Encounter Case’ is disturbing. One writer went to the extent of a vicious calumny that “The police in Gujarat wear lawlessness as a badge of honour, …” and another branded the Gujarat Police as “KHAKI DEATH SQUADS” .
Reportedly 12 Police officers of Gujarat are indicted and some of them are incarcerated with the very terrorists they fought! Mr. Vanzara, one of the indicted police officer of Gujarat in particular, is accused as the “lynch pin” common to most, if not all the ‘sensational’ encounter cases.
The ferocity of the nearly unprecedented and allegedly unprincipled inquisition of the Gujarat Police, has raised counter-allegations that the Central Govt’s mechanism for investigation and litigation is disproportionately focused against the Gujarat police and also has led to a confrontation between the two central agencies (one for Investigation and the other for ‘Intelligence’). This allegedly is being orchestrated and the attendant attrition has led to the crossing of a Rubicon, wherein the functioning of the apex national Intelligence agency has been severely compromised.
“The spat between the CBI and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) has become so openly unseemly that it can only hurt the Indian state’s long-term interests. The IB argument, and a fair one at that, is that its officer exercised his judgment in evaluating certain intelligence inputs; in retrospect one can question or disagree with that judgment but it is an altogether different matter to insist that the IB officials were a party to the Gujarat Police’s cold-blooded conspiracy. Now, out of a sense of organisational loyalty, the IB finds itself having to reveal its hand; reporters are being allowed to “access” the armoire of intercepts, reports” – Harish Khare
To place the current goings on in a historical perspective, it is essential to go back in time to a not dissimilar crisis which confronted the Punjab Police wherein also, a vicious campaign of calumny, hostility and the litigation route was adopted as the most convenient strategy for vendetta against the police. This occurred after the Punjab Police had contributed in significant measure towards the latter part of the Punjab crisis of the 1980’s and ‘peace’ was ‘restored’ in that state.

The case of the then SSP Ajit Singh Sandhu of the Punjab Police (somewhat reminiscent of Mr. Vanzara of the Gujarat police, now) and the classic statement of the then Punjab Police chief KPS Gill, unknown to most Indians, require to become a subject of national debate in the context of the “current trial by media”.
SSP Ajit Singh Sandhu, during the 1980’s, was perhaps the police officer most dreaded by terrorists in Punjab, after K P S Gill. A. S. Sandhu came into limelight for liquidating some top terrorists and restoring peace, particularly in the once terrorist hotbed of Tarn Taran police district in Punjab.

In 1997, nearly a decade after normalcy was restored in Punjab, Punjab Police personnel and especially A.S Sandhu began to be probed by the National Human Rights Commission and the courts, for their alleged excesses during the militancy. What were once touted as ‘achievements’ suddenly became ‘excesses’? Reportedly, SSP A.S. Sandhu faced more than 40 cases of alleged excesses, killings and ‘stage-managed encounters’.

On 23 May 1997, at about 11.05 AM, SSP A.S. Sandhu (52), threw himself in front the Kalka-bound `Himalayan Queen’ and committed suicide; 20 km from Chandigarh. He left behind two daughters and a son besides his wife.
The police recovered a suicide note written by the deceased declaring: “Jalil ho ke jeen to changa hai mar jana” (It is better to die than to live a life of humiliation).
By citing the above, no case is being made out for ‘immunity’ for any member of the Gujrat Police. Nor is it being suggested that there will take place any ‘suicides’. It is only to iterate that the investigations and trials be held, according to the laws of the land, and also considering the special circumstances that prevail in dealing with “Terrorism”, while applying the statutes and also that trials should not proceed according to the processes that are seemingly being improvised on a day to day basis to implicate the Gujarat police personnel.
Two points before going on to KPS Gill’s statement .

1. In 1997, when KPS Gill gave the u/m statement, “Low Intensity Wars” were being fought only in Kashmir, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura. Having somehow dealt with the ‘Punjab Crisis’, the national leadership should have taken note of the existing pattern of the “Low Intensity Wars” in the country, that could only be expected to grow in the future. Unfortunately, they did not and continued to dismiss them as ‘non-military threats’ and the ill equipped police of the states and the Home Ministries (both of the states and the centre) dealt with them. The result is that at present, the “Low Intensity War” Zone has got extended to an area stretching right from W Bengal, through Bihar, Odisha, Chattisgarh right down to Andhra and even Kerala( Maoists) ! But that is another subject all together.
2. In 1997, when KPS Gill gave the statement, he spoke of “We are not far from the edge of the abyss”. But, presently, we are perhaps in a state of free-fall in that abyss. That too is another matter all together.
Now on to “Is namard desh mein paida mujhe kyon kar diya” [ Why was I born in this country where there are no men?] which is an excerpt from the classic statement of former Punjab Police chief KPS Gill on the death of AS Sandhu.
Every word in the statement of KPS Gill, made way back in 1997 is very relevant and significant even. Those of ‘US’ who were young Captains’ and Majors’ during the peak of the ‘Punjab Crisis’ and were involved with it in one way or the other, would be able to better connect with the words of KPS Gill.
HERE’S THE CLASSIC STATEMENT OF FORMER PUNJAB POLICE CHIEF KPS GILL. READ IT AND DECIDE FOR YOURSELF.
“Is namard desh mein paida mujhe kyon kar diya”
I have not called this press conference to express my grief at AS Sandhu’s death. My feelings on this count are between his family and myself. What I have to say today is that we have already given up most of this country to criminals, to corrupt politicians, and to unscrupulous lobbyists who will work with any cause that serves their personal ends, whether criminal, political or secessionist.

Nonetheless, in a country dominated by those who prefer to criticise from the safety of their homes, or the comfort of air-conditioned debating societies at Delhi and Chandigarh, there are still a handful of people who are willing to risk everything including their lives and the lives of their family to protect the unity and integrity of their nation, and the lives of citizen’s terrorised by an utterly unprincipled and merciless enemy.

I can say without reservation that AS Sandhu was one such man.

Tarn Taran, at the height of terrorism was sometimes spoken of as the rocket that would propel Punjab out of the Indian Union. The terrorists influence was absolute; for years, it was virtually out of the control of the civil administration, and even the police had no more than a nominal and symbolic presence there.

It was in such a situation that I was looking for an officer who had the courage to mount an effective campaign against militancy in this militant heartland. I spoke to several officers, and each excelled in the invention of ingenious excuses to avoid the responsibility. When I asked Sandhu if he was willing to go to Tan Taran to put down terrorism, he accepted without hesitation. Some will say that he went there to exploit and enjoy the “power of the state”. But the state, when Sandhu went to Tan Taran, had no power there. I know that he was a hair’s breadth away from death throughout his tenure in the district. I know he never compromised. And yet, he achieved everything I could hope for.

Few, today, understand the significance of what happened in Tan Taran. Had we lost control over the district, Punjab’s secession would have become an inevitability. Had we lost Punjab, Kashmir would certainly have followed. And once this process of fission began, every linguistic, ethnic and cultural group would have raised the standard of revolt. Pakistan would have been celebrating this 50th year of its independence through the realisation of its dream of a balkanised India. Delhi and its “think tanks” would have no hinterland to analyse and exploit. The unending supplies of electricity, food, water, and a cornucopia of goods that keep Delhi’s elite in a state of luxury would have come to an abrupt end. And the Government and the Apex court of the land would probably have presided over a jurisdiction from “Delhi to Palam”. Judges may have still continued to write erudite and exquisitely worded judgements. But they would have no relevance for this country. This country, as we know it, would no longer have existed.

The fact that this scenario appears incredible today is testimony to the achievements of men like Sandhu.

All men are heroes in a time of peace. But those who are heading the self-righteous witch hunt against the officers and men of Punjab police today should ask themselves where they were hiding for 10 years when terrorists roamed free, unchallenged by any but the Punjab police and their comrades in uniform from other services – and a handful of courageous farmers who would not succumb to terror? For 10 years the judiciary remained in a state of unmitigated paralysis in Punjab. Where was their commitment to justice then? For 10 years, the press published on the terrorists diktat- with only a single exception that all of you know of. That is a long vacation for the ‘truth’.

I am not here to defend corrupt or venal policemen. The Punjab police took action against such personnel throughout the period of militancy. Action against deviants must be taken even now. But the distortion and manipulation of legal process that is being resorted to by an utterly compromised ‘human rights’ lobby cannot be supported. This lobby understands the nuts and bolts of the judicial engine, and knows every method of the orchestration of the media and the new tyranny of trial by the press. A police officer can effectively fight their designs only if he has a great deal of money to buy the best legal advice in the country – and only the corrupt have that kind of money. Officers like Sandhu are helpless, and stand abandoned by the state itself which denies them competent legal defence on the basis of rules that were framed a century ago.

A sustained campaign was carried out by the Human Rights lobby against A.S. Sandhu on the Goebbelsian Doctrine that an untruth repeated endlessly becomes the truth. He was supposed to have made a lot of money. Now he is dead, so I would like his detractors to tell us what properties he acquired, what wealth he gathered after he joined service. And a little evidence would be greatly appreciated.

Sandhu was incarcerated without trial for an extended period. An assault was engineered against him in jail. One does not know what happened to his attackers. They have possibly been promoted, or been presented with Saropas. …

I do not, despite these circumstances, justify the action of a proud Jat Sikh committing suicide. But I understand the reasons. This is not the action of a coward unable to face the dangers of life. Sandhu faced more dangers during his tenure at Tan Taran than many brave men could in several life-times. It was not fear that drove him to death. I do not think that the man knew the meaning of the word – it was ingratitude.

It is not, of course surprising that having lost the battle for Khalistan through force of arms, the terrorists and their front men should have exploited the human rights angle to target men like Sandhu. What is unforgivable is that the nation he fought to defend, the people who he risked his life to protect, simply turned away in indifference or joined the crescendo against him, when such a plot was engineered; without checking the merits of evidence, without even giving him the opportunity of a fair trail. What is unforgivable is that the State he served and saved participated in his humiliation.

The Guru Granth Sahib speaks of ingratitude – akirt ghan- as the greatest sin. Let the leaders of Punjab remember the teachings of the Gurus.

The Indian state must start educating itself on how it is to tackle individuals and groups trying to destroy the State. And it must learn how to arm and protect those who put their lives at stake in the defence of India’s unity and integrity.

We are not far from the edge of the abyss. Let this nation beware of the hour when no man will risk his life to protect another or to defend the nation,” Josh Malihabadi once wrote, “Buzdilon ke ishq mein, shaida mujhe kyon kar kiya. Is namard desh mein paida mujhe kyon kar kiya”. When men of courage begin to say this, all hope will die. No people who treat their heroes as we have done can expect to survive.

K P S Gill

Chandigarh

Thursday 12 March 2015

IBM plans Bitcoins

Exclusive: IBM looking at adopting bitcoin technology for major currencies

Bitcoin Reuters/Benoit Tessier

International Business Machines Corp is considering adopting the underlying technology behind bitcoin, known as the "blockchain," to create a digital cash and payment system for major currencies, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The objective is to allow people to transfer cash or make payments instantaneously using this technology without a bank or clearing party involved, saving on transaction costs, the person said. The transactions would be in an open ledger of a specific country's currency such as the dollar or euro, said the source, who declined to be identified because of a lack of authorization to discuss the project in public.

The blockchain - a ledger, or list, of all of a digital currency's transactions - is viewed as bitcoin's main technological innovation, allowing users to make payments anonymously, instantly, and without government regulation.

Rather than stored on a separate server and controlled by an individual, company, or bank, the ledger is open and accessible to all participants in the bitcoin network.

The proposed digital currency system would work in a similar way.

"When somebody wants to transact in the system, instead of you trying to acquire a bitcoin, you simply say, here are some U.S. dollars," the source said. "It's sort of a bitcoin but without the bitcoin."

IBM is one of a number of tech companies looking to expand the use of the blockchain technology beyond bitcoin, the digital currency launched six years ago that has spurred a following among investors and tech enthusiasts.

The company has been in informal discussions about a blockchain-tied cash system with a number of central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, the source said. If central banks approve the concept, IBM will build the secure and scalable infrastructure for the project.

IBM media relations office did not respond to Reuters emails about this story and the Fed declined to comment.

However, there are signs that central banks are already thinking about the innovations that could arise through digital currency systems. The Bank of England, in a report in September 2014, described the blockchain's open ledger as a "significant innovation" that could transform the financial system more generally.

Instead of having ledgers maintained by banks that act as a record of an individual's transactions, this kind of open ledger would be viewable by everyone using the system, and would use an agreed-upon process for entering transactions into the system.

The project is still in the early stages and constantly evolving, the source said. It is also unclear how concerns about money-laundering and criminal activities that have hamstrung bitcoin.

Unlike bitcoin, where the network is decentralized and there is no overseer, the proposed digital currency system would be controlled by central banks, the source said.

"These coins will be part of the money supply," the source said. "It's the same money, just not a dollar bill with a serial number on it, but a token that sits on this blockchain."

According to the plans, the digital currency could be linked to a person's bank account, possibly using a wallet software that would integrate that account with the proposed digital currency ledger.

"We are at a tipping point right now. It's making a lot more sense for some type of digital cash in the system, that not only saves our government money, but also is a lot more convenient and secure for individuals to use," the source said.

(Reporting by Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss; Editing byDavid Gaffen and Tomasz Janowski)

Wednesday 14 May 2014

Corporate facts...



While working in a corporate culture, you may face very idiotic situations where you will find yourself so depressed and it will give you a sign of “job dissatisfaction”. One who wants to sustain in industry for longer time then it is utmost important to adopt some basis skillsets at his work. Once you are tied up with your company which is having global presence, your profile is not limited only to your domain / core area. You will be forced to handle unrelated assignments. Despite of this, many people have successfully achieved required skillsets. If you consider following aspects at your workplace, highest position will knock your door soon! Following factors are most effective time wasters in the corporate:
1.      Unwanted telephone interruptions /  calls where you are completely unlinked
2.      Unwanted meetings where you play NIL role
3.      No clarity of action plan
4.      Unwanted resources involved in simple tasks
5.      Rigid processes for execution
6.      Half information
7.      No support from other team members
8.      Escalation tactics
9.      No team work
One of my senior educated me by saying this: 80% of our time wastes to accomplish only 20% of our objects. I feel abovementioned situations are fit case fordisturbance of your corporate growth. TEAM WORK with a proper discipline is essential for corporate growth.
Manage your time effectively:
1.      Block your outlook calendar regularly and from time to time
2.      Plan your personal leaves in advance and keep your boss in loop in well advance
3.      Delegate a right work to right subordinates at right time
4.      Set realistic goals
5.      Short term, medium term and long term planning is important
6.      Prioritize your assignments in the criteria: URGENT>IMPORTANT>ROUTINE
7.      Set deadlines and then start working
8.      Do not work to achieve deadlines, work to achieve objectives in the deadlines set
9.      Outsource routine work to outside consultants which will help you to save your time
10.  Concentrate on managerial decision making process instead of execution of task
These are very small things which will enhance your corporate skillsets in your organization. If you stick to one management principle “Work your plan – plan your work”, I believe 5 days a week will be more than sufficient for you‼!

By:
Ishan Kulkarni

Saturday 26 April 2014

Embezzlement Techniques Illustrated In Arthasastra

1. What is collected earlier is accounted later
2. What is collected later is accounted earlier
3. What ought to be collected is not collected
4. What is hard to collect is shown as collected
5. What is collected is shown as not collected
6. What is not collected is shown as collected
7. What is collected in part is shown as collected in full
8. What is collected in full is shown as collected in part
9. What is collected is of one sort, when what is entered is of another sort, e.g. rice in place of pulses
10. What is realized from one source, is shown as realized from another source
11. What is payable is not paid
12. What is not payable is paid
13. What is payable is not paid in time e.g. delaying payments with a view to receive a bribe
14. What is payable is paid earlier e.g. payment before due date for a consideration
15. Small gifts are accounted as large gifts, when giving gifts
16. Large gifts are accounted as small gifts, when receiving gifts
17. What is gifted is of one sort, when what is entered is of another sort
18. Beneficiary entered in register is different from the one who received the gift
19. Materials received in treasury is removed or materials not received is accounted as received
20. Raw materials paid for are not accounted in the stores, while those that are not paid for are entered as received in stores
21. An aggregate amount received is entered as parts, e.g. tax received from a village is shown as tax received from individuals
22. Parts received are entered as an aggregate, e.g. tax received from individuals is shown as tax received from a village
23. Commodities of greater value exchanged for those of smaller value
24. Commodities of smaller value exchanged for those of greater value
25. Value of goods inflated, by increasing the price
26. Value of goods deflated, by decreasing the price
27. Number of days increased, e.g. with a view of misappropriating wages
28. Number of days decreased, e.g. with a view to collecting lower taxes
29. Discrepancy in the number of months in a year, e.g. not accounting for transactions in all the months
30. Discrepancy in the number of days in a month, e.g. not accounting for transactions in all the days
31. Inconsistency in the transaction carried on under personal supervision
32. Misrepresentation of the source of income
33. Inconsistency in accounting for charities
34. Incongruity in representing work done, e.g. superintendent of boats misappropriating ferry dues, under the false plea that only Brahmins crossed the river
35. Inconsistently in dealing with fixed [regular] items
36. Misrepresentation of the standard of fineness of gold and silver
37. Misrepresentation of the price of commodities
38. Using false weights and measures
39. Deception in counting articles
40. Use of false cubic measures

 
The article is extracted from the book titled “Corporate Disclosures: The Origin of Financial and Business Reporting 1553—2007 AD” by Shankar Jaganathan. ~Via the internet


Friday 25 April 2014

Lessons I Learnt From a Client

Here are a few lessons I took from a client while working for them. I hope these are only a FEW from many many more to come.

1. Started with a Failed Attempt: They started their entrepreneurship journey with a failed attempt, but later changed tracks and reinvented themselves. They struggled initially but later on figured how to make things happen.

Lesson: So Entrepreneurs, it’s okay to have a few "issues" here and there. What matters is the attitude to fight and survive. 


2. "Job" Comfort "Monetary" Comfort is a distant dream:They don't know whats in store for them in the future however their spirit keeps them going. They are out there to create their destiny.Tirelessly working day in and day out to make their dreams come true.....

Lesson: Rings that feeling? This is not really a lesson, but a comfort feeling that yes here are the future leaders of the industry...


3. Passion never ceases:Using your entrepreneurial skills to fulfill your passion towards cricket and football (sports)..?? Heard of this..? You will hear it soon...

Lesson: Do what you love, and love what you do. Have a goal and put all your energies in achieving the same.

4. Persistence: ....

Lesson: One of the most vital qualities needed to succeed in business. 

I can draw the same lessons by looking at Sachin Tendulkar. For startup's these pointers should help... 

The path chosen is correct, way to go guys, all the best from Team Propelis.

One Person Company (OPC)



After the implementation of new Companies Act, 2013, the concept of "One Person Company" has become buzz word. Corporate industry recognizes only one type i.w. "Limited Company:. Nowadays Limited Liability Partnership vehicle is getting best response because its own advantages. I was studying new rules and regulations of OPCs and found interesting stuff in this. Less complex structure, less legal formlities, easy conversion option into Private / Public Limited Company and less Government intervention are the plus points of OPC. Any person who is running business as a proprietor may consider this option. The biggest benefit is it gets "Corporate" status being a legal entity formed under the Companies Act.

While analyzing few provisions of the Act, it is clear that this is a small vehicle like Maruti 800 and not any other hatchback or sedan car. You cannot drive your Maruti 800 on expressways with full speed because of its own limitations. I believe you will understand this example! Let me come straight to the point. OPCs have its own limits, once you gets close to maximum limits, by virtue of law, your OPC will get converted into Private / Public Limited Company. Provisions of the law states that when any OPC crosses a turnover of Rs. 2 crores or paid up capital exceeds Rs. 50 lakhs, you have to switch onto Limited Company without any option. I think for small businessmen or traders can take advantage of this form of vehicle at initial stage at least for 2 years. Because once you form OPC, you cannot apply for conversion before expiry of 2 years from the date of formation. 

I am sure coming days will decide the direction and the good response to One Person Companies, otherwise LLPs have already proven excellent form of an organization.

--Ishan Kulkarni

Saturday 22 March 2014

Key Highlights: Companies Act 2013 Part II

Continued Post...

8. Inter corporate loans / investments

  • Loans, guarantee and security made to any person and not just body corporates will attract the 2013 Act compliance requirements. The scope has been widened.
  • Rate of interest on loans granted cannot be lower than the prevailing yield of 1 year, 3 year, 5 year or 10 year Government Security closest to the tenure of the loan
  • The list of exemptions has been curtailed. Basically the norms have become stricter.

 9. Loan to Directors

  • No loans to be extended directly or indirectly. Also no loan can be extended by a book debt. Company cant give guarantee or provide security in connection with such loan to any director / related persons

– Exception to the rule is for MD or a whole time director (WTD) if such loan is in
accordance with the terms of services extended to all employees or is approved by shareholders
by special resolution
  • These provisions are applicable to private companies  as well

10. Mergers & Acquisitions

  • Restriction on multi-layer investment
  • Merger of Indian company with a foreign companyis now possible
  • Fast track merger for small companies and between holding company and its wholly owned subsidiary introduced
  • Persons holding 90% or more equity shares can purchase the remaining shares from minority shareholders
  • Any valuation of shares / assets etc. required under 2013 Act to be performed by a Registered Valuer

11. Measures for investor protection

  • Provisions relating class action suits introduced
  • Exit options for minority holders on reorganization

12. National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)

  • Replacement of the High Court with NCLT

13. Miscellaneous

  • Transfer of profits to reserves for dividend declaration removed
  • Inability to pay debts is one of the reason to be considered a sick company
  • Provisions of revival and rehabilitation of sick companies to all companies 
  • Serious Fraud Investigation Office will be constituted 
  • Any person representing the company is made liable for punishment for fraudulently obtaining credit facilities from any bank or financial institutions for making any false, deceptive or misleading statement, promise or forecast