We are smarter than Me

Make way for "Crowd-sourcing"

Roles reversed

The roles were reversed yesterday.

For a change, and a very welcome one, Australia choked yesterday towards the end of the match and frittered away a match they could have easily won.

Nothing like a nice upset to inject interest into a quotidian tournament.

Priyadarshini Mattoo, Arumugam Kounder and India's judicial system

On the 23rd of January 1996, a Delhi University student by the name of Priyadarshini Mattoo was found murdered at her Vasant Kunj flat in south Delhi.

A trial court in 1999 had acquitted the accused, Santosh Singh, a lawyer by profession, citing lack of evidence even though the judge admitted he knew that Santosh was the killer.

10 years and almost 10 months later after the day of the crime, on the 17th of October 2006, justice was served. The killer was convicted by a High Court, after the trial courts decision was termed as one "that shocked the conscience of the judiciary". Chronology of events in the case

The case captured national headlines and prime airtime on news channels, because of the gruesomeness of the crime and the callousness of the investigating authorities.

The judgement brings a ray of hope to cases like the Jessica Lall case, and others.

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Yesterdays HT carried a story of a 45 year old man Arumugam Kounder who came to Mumbai to work. He was Tamil, knew no English, Hindi or Marathi and was arrested in a rape case of a minor. He was poor, and was innocent. He was not aware of the charges that are levelled against him.

Kounder was arrested just three months after he arrived in Mumbai from Tamil Nadu, hoping to find a good job. He was working as a civic garbage cleaner at the time he was charged with rape and murder.

He spent 11 and a half years in prison before he was freed because the Inspector who implicated him left a note before committing suicide that he had falsely implicated Kounder on the orders of a senior officer.

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I leave you to ponder over the cases.

For every known Mattoo, Lal and Katara, there are a dozen other nondescript men and women who have been killed and their killers never been convicted.

A Google search on Arumugam Kounder yields no results. Which is not the case with 'Priyadarshini Mattoo'.

So many innocent people like Arumugam Kounder languish in jails for crimes they have never committed.

Think over it. Some food for thought. And, say a prayer or two for the Indian judicial system, one that takes the responsibility of imparting justice and fairness in the world's largest democracy.

Dear Dad

Dear Dad,

It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you, but I'm leavin home.

I had to elope with my new boyfriend Randy because I wanted to avoid a scene with Mom and you. Ive been findin real passion with Randy n he is so nice 2 me. I know when u meet him ull like him too - even wit all his piercin, tattoos, n motorcycle clothes.But its not only d passion Dad, I'm pregnant and Randy said tht he wants me 2 hav the kid n tht v can be very happy
together. Even though Randy is much older than me (neway, 42 isnt so old these
days is it?) and has no money, really these things shouldnt stand in d way of our relationship, dont u agree?

Randy has a gr8 CD collectn; he already owns a trailer in the woods n has a stack of firewood 4 d whole winter.Its true he has othr girlfrnds as well but I know he'll be faithful 2 me in his own way. He wants to have many more children wit me and thats now 1 of my
dreams too.

Randy taught me that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone and he'll be growing it for us and we'll trade it with our friends for all the cocaine and ecstasy we want. In the meantime, we'll pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Randy can get better; he sure deserves ! it!!

Dont worry Dad, Im 15 yrs old now n I knw how 2 take care of myself. Someday Im sure we'll be back to visit so u can get 2 knw ur grandchildren.

Your loving daughter,
Rosie.

PTO

PS: Dad, none of the above is true.
I'm over at the neighbour's house.
I jus wantd to remind you tht thr r worse things in life than my report
card that's in my desk centre drawer!

"goo-goo-goo-google"

Kingfisher Gas Cylinders

What if Vijay Mallya gets into the LPG Gas business??

Lessons for budding entrepreneurs

1. It always takes a long time to establish a company.

2. It always costs more (than you thought it would) to start a company.

3. We need leaders, not managers, for an enterprise to succeed.

4. Perseverance pays. You have to believe in what you are creating, and keep the faith. In 2001, many people told us we were over, but we are still here.

5. History does not always repeat itself.

6. Communication is key. Listening is extremely important. You should have the ability to listen to your employees.

7. Be prepared for the culture factor in the US and in India, though a lot of cross-pollination has taken place by now.

8. In good times, be prepared for the bad times. Good times will not last forever. Business is cyclical.

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