Researchers Dilemma

I don’t know whether anyone have used this term before I coin; but I am sure that there is a dilemma for every researchers, but the point of occurrence varies.  Before move further I should define what researcher dilemma. Many of us are familiar with prisoner’s dilemma, personnel dilemma and incumbent dilemma. The Researcher dilemma is the situation where researcher’s idea contradicts with the manifold opinions of experts. It is not a tussle between multiple options or a predicament to choose the best, but it’s an impasse. Rather than his likes, he may force to satisfy the populace. Here the dilemma starts. The idea may crush and chew among the dossiers and these discussions end with new dimensions. Here a researcher creeps by the interest of his guide, faculty members and the audience. Ultimately the victims of Researchers dilemma last with a disaster. The researcher fails to satisfy his global listeners and he loses in his own mission. When the researcher comes out with a problem, he may perturb with multitude of value additions by various trespassers. Problem definition, methodology, inference development and even in conclusions the dominance of ‘the other’ creates researchers dilemma.

Is there any way out for this laborious dilemma? Stick on our own conclusions rather than go for the trend, other or popular. But only a real researcher can validate his problem. Unless and until he becomes competent in this aspect, this dilemma will dominate the researchers mind. It is vital to consider the opinions of experts, but the conclusion should from the researcher side. Never be panic or anxious about the result, obviously it’s a trial and error and a complete document is not a research. The gap and scope it leaves for research or the researchability of the outcome decides the worth of a research. Instead of solving problems it will create any menace to the research community. Valid, reliable and viable problem and modus operandi determines the quality of research. Here the mind, thinking and discussions make the researcher competent. It is effective discussions with experts give reflections and these reflections produce concrete conclusions. This is what a real researcher should take care of.   

Paul V Mathew

May this Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) be a magic cure for corruption

A year ago, prime minister of India Manmohan Sing desperately commended there is no panacea to curb corruption. Now the time has come to prove that newly launched program DBT is a magic mechanism, now UPA bets on magic cure for corruption. Jawaharlal Nehru lamented only Rs.14 out 100 reaches the beneficiary and a Planning Commission report mentioned 2/3 of the spending is for executive action. Adding more vigor to democracy, this electronic payments system is going to save an estimated amount of Rs. One trillion a year, nearly 10% of the total payments flow between the government and households (McKinsey, 2010). The Aadhar enabled scheme to ensure transferring benefit/subsidy directly to the hands of beneficiary will definitely make a huge impetus. Various countries including Jamica, Philippines, Mexico, China, Indonesia, Chile, Turkey, South Africa, United Staes, and Brazil have been successfully implemented the DBT under Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT). The ‘Bolsa Familia Program (BFP) in Brazil is one among the most successful initiatives.

While moving with the program, we need to tackle myriad issues in Information Communication and Technology (ICT). It is a fact that more than 50% Indians still abide in rural dwellings and technology and banking services are not near dream for these poor and illiterate people. Before implementing such revolutionary programs government focus should be on the empowerment of grass root people that incorporates accessibility banking service, financial literacy and inclusion, and related awareness programs. There is no doubt that when the whole project would be made functional with an inclusive approach, the fundamental objectives of the DBT will be surely accomplished.

Paul V Mathew

A green Question

Amidst hue and cry over environmental protection and bio diversity preservation, convincing the need for green credentials becoming a difficult task. Whilst mull over development and growth environmental consideration force to keep a back seat. Business is for making profit and stringent regulations will badly affect the economy and investment.

When time moves we strive to manage a balance; conservation and development. The concept biological diversity and biodiversity conservation came to our attention when the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) opened at Rio de Janeiro in 1992 famously called ‘Earth Summit’. After 20 years the 11^th Conference of Parties (CoP), CBD took place in Hydrabad, India. India is home to the three of the world mega diversity hot spots, the Western Ghatz Srilanka region, Indo Burma region and the east Himalayan region. Also certain flag initiatives Project Tiger and Project Elephant are doing a reasonably good job. Our   special based approach for bio diversity protection has already gained global attention. The only population of Asiatic Lion in the world, in the Gir National Park, have more than doubled in numbers, moving from ‘critically endangered’ to ‘endangered’. The story of the Chambal Gharials is also inspiring. The one horned rhino in Manaas, Kaziranga etc. shown a tremendous come back, from about 200 to nearly 3,000.

But the fact is that among 18 million diverse species, we know only 1.4 million. So many species are becoming extinct before they identify. The biological register, social forestry and artificial forestry are a few programs to protect our indigenous species diversity. Though debating, Western Gahatz Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) throws light to the conservation of bio diversity. An intelligent, democratic and participatory planning for protection and diversity based zonation is a need of this hour. We should work for a environmentalist far sighted plan rather than a politician short sighted plans. The reason underlined behind is that, whilst failing almost all mitigation strategies and binding agreement on emission cutting the only option left with us is the preservation of bio diversity and increasing the spread of bio diversity.

The recent tussle between the National Investment Board (NIB) and Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) over allowing large investments more than 1000 crores without social and environmental clearance raising a serious concern.   Athe same time both MoEF and Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) chastised for “slowing down India’s galloping economy”. The situations invariably prove that, a balanced approach is vital for social and economic development. All our development should meets the need of present and will not be jeopardized the ability of the future to meet their demands.     

Paul V Mathew

Letter of Apology

Dear Sir,

Greetings from your humble subordinate Paul V Mathew

It is time that teaches the truth and there is no better master than experiences. While step in to 27, I contemplate my past - a mix of glories and grieve. With an absolute gratification, I would like to note a sincere gratitude to my ever time awe inspiring model Mr. U.V. Jose

It was GITPAC, my tender life started nurture and foster under a humble and simple master. Even now I feel the warmth of your fatherly affection and friendly instructions. Ignoring the highness, you came down to my ignorance; shedding the self, you pardoned my stupidities. The advices and the learning you have given are engraved in my hearts, still it guides me. Albeit I tried to be faithful, with excruciating pain I should admit that I was mislead by some mischievous and fell in to the traps of complainers. But I amazed at your never ending patience and extremely indebted to the lenient considerations. Sir, nothing was intentional and now I beg your pardon, and vehemently apologize for my wrongs.      

I was closely watching your moves and strategies. Brain storming ideas, meticulous planning, perseverance and continuous experiments are some of the success factors I strive to emulate. To call a spade a spade, I always love to work with innovative, vibrant and studious superiors that create a win win situation. I was very cautious about my life in GITPAC without a creative leader that was prompted me to resign. Fortunately I got a similar luminary as boss in my new job.

Let me conclude. I wish you all the prosperity and pray for the God’s abundance grace.

With Love

Paul

The Confrontation

‘Self’ – has different dimensions; Ego, Confidence, other self and so on. First is the pride and vanity, confidence is a sign of progress and ‘other’ is our consideration for others. Everyone have some level of ego, it’s the sign of lack of self confidence. If we feel uncomfortable and helpless, our ego will start to provoke us. When we shed our ego we will clad the real confidence and the moment we realize the ‘real self’ our eyes will open to see the ‘other self’. Yes, it is ‘to know our ignorance is the real knowledge’.

The confrontation I titled in this context. This ‘Ego’ creates confrontation purely interpersonal especially between weak individuals. The incident was in connection with ‘the World Environmental Day’. The real confrontation started with in me when to idiots on the dais engaged in an open conversations and discussions while the chief speaker strives to pathetically strives to prove his eloquence and wisdom. While at the real field, a lady started quarrel with his colleague. Both of them are professors in the engineering department, but the former doest know any what is a bore well and how a rain harvest system looks like.  The self proclamation incepted, she (JCB Operator) had taken around 100 pits (but like a small pond) in the last night for planting trees, but none of them were with her. With high dissatisfaction she asked – where were you all these time? The latter replied in tantamount, ‘’things are always like that and while I was painting the whole hostel no one was there to support me’’. In the other side, one professor raised a serious concern about the absence of his name in the flux. While things moved, we planted around 50 trees.  

Let’s go back to the philosophy of Buddha, unless you shed your ego- you won’t be enlightened. How we can achieve salvation without enlightenment? How the Nirvana possible without qualifying the basic step? An eternal ‘bliss’ is associated with ‘Nishkama Karma’ that surely ensures our ego is vanished. It’s the real challenge – to dominate ourselves, and no one can influence the ‘other’ without conquering themselves. Hope you understood the theme. 

Let the confrontation starts in our minds ! 

Paul V Mathew