Thursday, June 29, 2006

Sun did It


"As one saith in a brave kind of expression, the sun never sets in the Spanish dominions, but ever shines upon one part or other of them."


The above given comment was made by Bacon for Spain under Habsburg Dynasty. It was made when Britain was not all that big and great empire and reached to level of giant proportion afterwards for which it latter came to be known for. It was latter that the same comment was used for British Empire. Bacon belonged to England.


Gibbon also used the term "The Roman World" in the same tone and tenure to suggest the greatness of the Roman Empire as the biggest empire of the world.


Describing the giant proportion of the British Empire, Webster had said "her morning drumbeat following the sun, and keeping company with the hours, circles the earth daily with one continuous and unbroken strain of its martial airs."


Kaiser William did not like the tone of such quotations. He sought the place in the sun.


Finally, the First World War was fought.


It means Bacon started all this.


Historians used sun to write quotations.
Sun saw history making nations.
A nation saw sun every where.
Other nation sat on sun to see every nation.
In between, the world wept for their sons.


Note: It is re-posting of History Student in a Lighter Mood at Sumir-history.

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Impulsive Internet Use-How Far a Problem


There was a report in The Tribune date January 31, 2005, by Neelam Sharma on a thesis by Dr. Sanjay Khanna wherein it was reported that a percentage of the internet users and surfer are compulsive sufferers suffering from mental disorder.


I introduced this topic (Internet related psychiatric disorder) on Education Forum and the leading administrator John Simkin came out with some supportive remarks. He wrote,
"Am I addicted? Maybe. I definitely get withdrawal symptoms when I am denied access to the web. Therefore, on holiday, I need to search out a local Internet Café every few days."


I had posted it on the Education Forum in the month of February 2005, when there was regular disruption of electricity in Punjab. Whenever the supply was restored, my first act had been to start my computer and log on to Internet. Most of the time, it happened that when I had just browsed through some of the sites and planned to start some substantial work related to my job, the supply went off again. It just gave me bouts of anger. I can not share whom I had been cursing and against whom I passed abuses though I live in a democratic country. In between, that was during the phased out period of electric supply, I read books related to my subject and job or watched television on the inverter supply or just killed time. Now these days, rather since long, I do not write on pages. I directly write on my computer. When electricity was not there, that could have not been done. No doubt, it was a great loss.


This year (in 2006), there is more acute shortage of electricity in Punjab. I do not know that how the present government keeps on boosting of her achievement in the newspapers through the government public relation department by inserting a slip in most of the dailies. The same thing had happened this year also. Whenever, electricity supply was discontinued, I sat idle doing nothing and fought the sultry season of Indian summer. When the electricity was restored, I again opened my computer and logged on to Internet. This year the problem is more acute.


By the way, can any one tell me that is it true India is showing 8% growth in her GDP? How is it being achieved when the basic infrastructure is not at all suited for a growing economy? How is it that when there is so miserable situation of electric supply, pothole decorated roads, increased oil prices, zooming prices of day to day basic life essentials and a sense of fear that all this talk of "India Shinning" may be a bluff played on the countrymen even then the investors are so bullish on India? I am unable to understand an economics wherein the economy is growing even when there is less of electricity, disruptive roads and high cost of basic essential items.


Well coming back to the theme, as I was saying that whenever the electric supply was restored, I just booted my computer and logged on to Internet. In between, I have found good primary sources on Internet which I am trying to review and read. However, the task reamins unaccomplished because of the disruption in the electricity supply. I find myself sitting with the family members playing games and cursing being in a country where there is so much of heat and no standard of life. However, whenever the supply is restored I again come on to the Internet. This thing is going on for a month. I have not been able to do any substantial work. Many tasks which I have planned for myself, are lying incomplete. The worst thing is that I have not able to complete the paper of General Studies Prelims and the posting of all the answers is still pending.


When I was not so immured in Internet activity, I used to read some books. But that activity was not proving useful. I used to make notes and papers used to get piled up in rooms. I have transferred a large quantity of my writing on the computer but an equal amount of activity had gone waste because after sometime I had thrown those papers in garbage. Now in case of Internet and especially through blogging I am able to preserve some of my works. But this lack of electricity supply is hindering my efforts.


I believe somewhere it is also reflecting on my overall behaviour with my family members. When I am able to read some good book, I remain in very good and satisfying mood. But if I am not able to work, or read good work, I become irritated. I think somewhere my family members felt that I was becoming more irritating. They have complained that whenever there is electricity, I remain busy on the Internet but when I am free I remain idle and lethargic. No doubt, I have not been able to do other works related to household responsibilities. They somehow concluded that if I remain busy on my computer, I become more cooperative and productive. Well it was the suggestion of the family members, and they proposed that I should think of getting a generator or a good backup inverter. I questioned about the desirability of making such spending. Secondly I revealed that I would not be able to afford such expenditure. Thirdly I am strongly against putting up a generator. It makes lot of noise and create nuisance. Secondly, it becomes a cause of air pollution. Most of the neighbours have installed it. There are laws against making a noise to a particular level. There are concerns at world level to reduce the atmospheric pollution. But who cares? In India, the people who know better than everyone and they know how to get the things done, at least they do not care. The family members felt that I had gone mad. They believe that I am a misfit. However, they came up with a proposal to contribute for buying a backup inverter on which I could run my computer. I asked the rationale and basis of their concern. They came up with the answer that it would help me to undertake my activity on Internet and also to do some of the work which is desired by them from me which could be accomplished through printing the letters on the computer. I bit the deal. Well here I am again on the Internet. Let us see what will happen when the electricity again goes off. I may be on Internet for a while. The system is of 500 watts with 800 Va specification. The vendor has assured that my computer would run for three to four hours if I run only computer and one fan on the device.


I have completed writing this stuff. The electricity supply was consistent. But, after having the system at place, I am again browsing the Internet. While doing that I have just punched in keys to write this stuff. I wonder if it is an impulsive activity with me now.
Acknowledgement:

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Internet Pirates and Dupes


There is a news report in The Tribune dated June 17, 2006, Ludhiana Supplement. According to the report titled "Lottery Winner ‘Cheated’, a villager of Kanganwal, received a winning notice of a lottery. He was told to keep his winning information hidden before receiving the prize money. He was made to pay some money also. Now the villager is waiting for the money and feels that he is being cheated.

Is the fear and premonition of the villager true? I believe that it is true and feel sorry for the villager. He is cheated.

How can I say that? Well, just now when I am typing this, there are 364 mails in my Spam bin. Out of those discarded mails, many of them, (nearly 50 % and rest of them about sex tablets.) are about the winning notification.

I am receiving such winning notices since last one and a half year. Let me reproduce the contents of some them verbatim. I am virtually posting the copy of the contents of one of those winning letters.
Here is an example.
It is received just now when I open my Spam bin to collect a letter required.

The contents are as follows:

BILL NOTIFICATION DESK
(Customer Services)
3b, Olympic Way,
Sexton Business Park,
Aintree, Liverpool, L30, 1RD,
United Kingdom.
Batch: 12/25/0340
Ref: BIL/101OXI/02
Attn:Lucky Winner,

We happily announce to you the draw (#989) of the BRITISH INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY, online Sweepstakes International program held on 15th June 2006.Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 56475600545188 with Serial number 5368/02 drew the lucky numbers: (13)-(43)-(06)-(15)-(02)-(40)bonus # (09).Which subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd category i.e match 5 plus bonus. You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of£500,000 (Five hundred thousand pounds sterling) in cash credited to file no KTU/9023118308/03. This is from a total cash prize of £2,000,000.00 shared amongst the first four lucky winners in this category i.e Match 5 plus bonus. All participants for the online version were selected randomly from World Wide Web through computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 unions, associations, and corporate bodies that are listed online. This promotion takes place bianually. Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European booklet representative office in Europe as indicated in your play coupon.In view of this, your £500,000 (five hundred thousand pounds sterling) would be released to you by any of our Affiliate courier department.Our agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him/her. For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claim is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize. This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program. Please be warned !!! To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent : MR FRANK DENNIS E MAIL: lotterycompany74@yahoo.co.uk PHONE:+447031942690 PHONE:+447031917488 FAX:+448709127423
Goodluck from me and members of staff of the BRITISH INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY.
Yours faithfully,
ELIZABETH HANKS(Mrs.) Director.International Promotions Unit,


Kindly note the advice in the above letter also. It reads, For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claim is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize. This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program. Please be warned !!!


Now such letters do not come from only one place. They are from different part of Europe, Middle East and South East Asia.


Here I reproduce an extract of another winning notice from Spain.


It reads, (just check what information they are asking from me)
All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from 25,000 names and E-mail addresses from Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America as part of our international lottery program which we conduct twice every year. We hope that with part of your prize, you will part-take next year in our high stakes 1.3billion Euros International Lottery. To begin your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent and Provide him with the information below:
1.Name:
2.Address:
3.Marital
Status:
4.Occupation:
5.Age:
6.Gender:
7.Nationality:
8.CountryofResidence:
9.Telephone
Number:
0.Fax
Number:
11.Draw Number
above:


There are many more such winning notices in the Spam which get deleted after every thirty days.

Now these are not only types of money offering notice. There are different types of notices from Africa, some lesser known European country (East Europe) or from the Pacific region.


I here reproduce an extract of a letter.


It reads;
We discovered an abandoned sum of$12,500,000.00 (Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only) in an account that belongs to one of our customers who died along with his entire family a wife and two children in November 1999 in an auto crash.

After, sharing such a secret of the bank, the person will then try to take you in confidence and propose and deal in such manner that it will be aimed to convincing you that you would pull out this whole affair without any problem.

Please "DO NOT FALL FOR SUCH TYPE OF DEALS" even if you are a NATWARLAL'S Grand Father.

Then there are messages from Sheikhs who are dying because of cancer and want to donate or transfer the money to some good soul. He would report that he has found your profile and believe that you are a good person and want you to inherit his money.


I can reproduce a large number of messages which keep on dropping into my mail box every.


I just suggest to the gullible internet user that they should not fall for that. No body is going to give you money for nothing. Do not get greedy.


It is good the Tribune had taken up this issue. One can not sue such type of people. They are located in foreign countries. Their addresses are a fake. Their computer identities are also tempered with. It is not easy to book them. It is not easy for common man to pursue against them. I dare to say that even our law machinery can not even touch them. The only remedy is to create awareness about such frauds. One should maintain his moral integrity then only he can save himself from such people.


I end this note by saying that do not fall for them. Remember "Dandha Hai Par Ganda Hai".


Secondly, it is good that the Tribune has given space to such reports.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Dear Separatists, “Historians are Definitely not Boring”


In the month of May, 2006 I tried to study the events, sequence and documents of secession before the Civil War of America. I read the World History blog by Miland Brown but somehow I did not read his post titled "The Dominion of British West Florida and Tips for Creating an American Separatist Cause". In the month of June, he reproduced the "Tips" to claim a separate country for oneself if one likes. When I read it, I stopped from making further postings on the American History.


I wondered why Miland talked like that. The second thought which came to mind and remained for long was that how far this could be relevant in case of India. In India, the Kashmir, North East states especially Nagaland, Mizoram, Assam, Tripura, then Hyderabad State, Junagadh State, Goa, Sikkim, even Punjab as it was in 1849, and even for that all the states which were annexed during the period of Dalhousie, must try to understand and read them.


While reading the secession declaration of South Carolina and Texas, I was once convinced that they had the reason and legal argument to establish themselves as separate state. Even before that, when I studied American history for the first time, at one stage, I felt that the thirteen colonies had virtually occupied and snatched the country from the Red Indian Tribes. I even once joked that one should enter America and then claim ownership on the land on the basis of their history on the continent. However, a student of history does not sit a judge over the past events. He has to study the past on the basis of the facts as it existed and the cause and effect relation of a period of time and concerning a region or space. He has to identify a fact as it exists and existed. If today, a good lawyer is given chance to plead the case of South Carolina and Texas and all the eleven states which later joined to form the Confederacy of States, he could prove that they had suffered at the hands of the North States and they had valid point to secede.


Well, those who have this a job to read, write, read, ponder and then elaborate, come up with such thoughts and understanding which only the people of their class and ilk can understand. Sometimes, they come out with such amusing thoughts. No doubt, the post in question is of the same genre. I first thought of making this post on sumir-history.blogspot.com but after taking it as a whole, I have brought this on this blog.
The comment of Jennie W of Kent, the blogger of Jennie’s Rumbles, is most pertinent. She says, "This is simply hilarious". Miland knew it at the time of posting it.


He did not boost in vain when he wrote, "I really should start my own separatist cause. With my knowledge of history, the Web, and how to play the separatist game, I could have a lot of fun! Or maybe not...".


The elementaryhistoryteacher really got serious with this post the way I became when I first read it. Jennie W also joined in the comment section and Miland got the chance to take a pinch at them by playing to the gallery. I am sure, while writing the reply to the comment he might have mischievous smile. Now doubt, he remarked, "Hello the CSA lost!"


On the whole, it is really enjoyable to read and share such thoughts because they come to regular readers and scholars now and then. They are not shared only because they are just minor spin off of reasoning faculty.


However, point 4 to 8 are written in lighter vein but they are very pregnant with great possibilities. The present form of Internet may change with change in technology. However, with time, the interconnectivity of internet paradigm will remain and it will be a force. The day, that will become true, the day, many people will join together on world wide web with new devices and formats, the tips of 4 to 8 can work as big bombs. Today, it may be taken in lighter vein, but they can be implemented with deafening results. I do not know why I feel that some separatist is reading those lines again and again.


Miland, get serious. The later part is worth putting in practice. I Will Claim My Share when you succeed.

Friday, June 02, 2006

Peril of Being a Whistle Blower


It is a story concerning my brush with Print Media people.


The story goes somewhat like this.


A report appeared in an additional pull out of a leading national newspaper. In that newspaper, it was reported that a student had cleared the Civil Services Examination. I maintain a civil services blog. This year I have plans to collect the data on the candidates from Punjab who clear the civil services. Therefore, when I read the report, I started looking out for the details of that candidate in the lists published on the government of India web site. I found that the name did not appear in the list. I made some more searches which convinced me that the report was a fake.


First I thought of making a report myself and place it on my blog. It did not appeal to me. I just thought of sending an email to the publication about my search on the authenticity of the report. I did that. Then, as I had saved a phone number of a reporter of the same publication which I had never thought to use, I rang her up and shared my finding. I also told her, that I had already sent an email on the web site of their publication. On her suggestion, I directed that email to an address which she provided. I got interested in this activity. After having emailed the details, I started looking out in the newspaper for report concerning the above mentioned reporting. When it did not appear, I again contacted the above mentioned reporter. She apprised me that as she had inadvertently deleted the folder in which she had received my email and again requested me to resent the emails. She also explained that due to week ends she was not able to check with the authorities whose students had claimed to have cleared the examination. I suggested her to check the upsc site. She showed her failure to locate the result on the site. I told about the link on the upsc site to access the link. Then she also shared the problem of slow down load of the site. On that, I volunteered to send her all the links and reports. I directed her attention that the result was also reproduced by me on my other site at civilservices-prelims.blogspot.com. After that I again started looking out for the news in their newspaper. But in the meantime, I lost the interest in this activity.


When I start working on my computer, I first indulge in frivolous activities. It is at such time, I sometime write about what goes on my mind. Somewhere, this report and incidence remained on my mind and I felt, that one should put up such reporting also one owns blog. On Internet, I talk of democratization of knowledge which is approved by many leading scholars from different countries. They have placed their comments even on the posting where I have talked about such things. Another thing which matters on Internet is the issue of locating the authentic information. Therefore, I always try to discuss and deal in such reporting which are not authentic and genuine. I am not the only person to do it. The serious people keep on discussing such things on the web. I felt that this report comes under that genre. Therefore, I made a small report and placed it on my this very blog. My intentions were clear and pure. I have felt that the newspaper is a respectable organization but in case of this incidence their activity was not leaving any good impression. I had written that report which was determined by such a feeling. It was for the first time, that I was writing a pointed criticism, therefore, I thought it prudent to direct the link in an email to the concerned people also. I had their email address only because they had provided it when they needed some information from me. It became easy for me to send them an email. I opened my send folder, located their email address and sent the link of my posting.


After that I left my place and visited some of my friends in one other state. The incidence was lapsing down in my mind and I was now forgetting it. But, it was not to happen like that.


Just a day back, after returning from my visit, I got engrossed in my reading and writing activities. When I read or write something, I keep my phone away. In the evening I found that there was five missed calls. I checked the phone book. It was from one landline number and one from the reporter whom I had contacted earlier. I first tired the landline number. I learned that it was from the publication of the same reporter. I asked for the reporter as I had guessed that it was she who was calling me.


When the reporter came on the line, she talked about my posting, of which I had sent a link to their office. She told me that they had already reported their follow up to that report. I told about my ignorance about that. She assured me to tell me the date. The talk ended when I told her that I would call back to learn about the date and the edition in which they had reported.


I again called her on her mobile. She told me the date and the page number wherein they had denied the report. Then she also expressed her displeasure and the annoyance of her office on the contents of my posting. I told her that I was expecting a call back from her for which she explained that why she was not able to call back. Then we discussed about removing the post. I told her, even if I would remove it, the cache memory would remain and that bolg is of a long standing and web crawlers cover it also. Secondly, I told that I had written what had happened. The way out was to add some remark about. The talk remained inclusive as her mobile does not remain consistently on the waves. While telling about the annoyance of her group, she expressed some strong feelings also. I never had the idea to hurt anyone. But, I feel concerned if some one feels hurt even if I am right. Therefore, I decided to add some comments to the report.


After that, I received a phone call from a friend. The person is highly educated, highly experienced and well connected. I shared this episode with him. We discussed all the aspects of this episode. I shared with him some of my fears which was induced by talking to that reporter. Being an experienced person, he assured me and advised me to remain calm and unperturbed. He rather suggested different legal means and remedies which I could avail if the newspaper organization became somewhat adventurous. He assured that it was their wrong reporting which started all this activity. They would never be able to defend that reporting.


However, I felt that as a civilized person, I should make some correction to the report. As I had decided earlier, I added some comments.


I made the required changes to the post that irritated the people of the national daily. I thought it in right course of the things to send the link of the edited post to the concerned newspaper organization. I sent the link. After that I thought I should inform them also on telephone. I should maintain my grace even if they had not shown such virtues.


I rang up at their office on their landline number. A person picked the phone. I persuaded her to tell her name. She told that she was Parvinder. I then started telling the motive of my calling them. Before, I could complete, there came a bust of strong contention and threats which were uncalled for. It was an experience to listen to such uncivilized verbal attack. I also reverted back with some strong voice but remaining within civilized limits. But it was an experience to listen that how a big organization behaves and react on their own fault and how far they could go to threat.


I tried to call the earlier reporter who collected data from me. But the phone was disconnected without any response.


This will remain an experience with me. It was an experience of being a whistle blower. Rang De Basti. Page 3. Azad. New Delhi Times. I have just tried to do what the respectable citizens should have done. I tried to maintain a grace of an educated person and expecting a reciprocation from a big organization. What I received back is a lesson for future on how to deal them next time.


The episode revealed above is related to my post at Unconfirmed Story by HT Ludhiana Live which appears in the archive of month May 2006.