Ayodhya verdict - An analysis

PodUniversal Edition 113

Ayodhya verdict delivered by the 3 Judges Division bench of Allahabad High Court (India) has been received by the Indian citziens with maturity. Centuries old conflict between Hindus and Muslims on the disputed site has witnessed the loss of thousands of lives in the past due to various communal clashes.  Fearing such backlash, Indian Government had made elaborate security arrangements throughout India on 30th September 2010 when the judgement was delivered.

S Sethuraman, Advocate

Earlier, Indian political leaders and religious leaders had appealed to receive the judgement peacefully.  Indian citizens have shown high degree of maturity, when they received the judgement. Even the media, political and religious leaders played highly positive role in containing the emotions.  

The verdict is one of the landmark judgements in the history of Indian judiciary.  While, all the three judges have confirmed the fact that a temple was in existence before the construction of mosque, two judges ordered one-third portion of the property to Muslims.  It is based on the fact that in the past both Hindus and Muslims were using that property simultaneously for prayers.

Though Hindus and Muslims may have a feeling that they are not given the full possession of the disputed proerty, the judgement has provided a win-win situation to both and none of them are the losers.

Some of the intellectual and constituional experts also criticise this judgement as "Panchayat type of judgement". Pakistan leaders have condemned this judgement and are provoking Indian Muslims.  Fortunately, Indian Muslim leaders are also showing high sense of maturity, not to fall in the trap laid by Pakistan. Though, both the parties have option to appeal in the Supreme Court, this judgement has given some avenues for reconciliation to end the centuries old dispute. 

On behalf of PodUniversal, we spoke to Mr S Sethuraman, one of the senior civil advocates of Chennai High Court and Supreme Court over phone.  In this interview, he has explained the background of the case and analyses the important aspects of the judgement.

Mr Sethuraman feels that though the judgement may be criticised by some intellectuals as a flawed one, this has provided a best possible solution for the centuries old problem.  He also added that he would prefer a flawed judgement if it provided a solution to the problem in the national interest, rather than a legally correct judgement, which could create more tensions.  Since the citizens of this country have accepted this judgement with maturity and calmly, he said that this solution could bring more communal harmony and peace.

Please listen to his interview by clicking 'play' button (14 minuts).  The streaming of the audio will be smooth in broadband connections.  If you find any difficulty, you may download the audio (13 mb) by right clicking this link and saving to your desktop in mp3 format.

The podcast may also be listened from the following link also:

http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857520

Read More

Miscommunication

PodUniversal Edition 112
Sep 2010 issue of ezine PreSense deals with the concept of Miscommunication. In the communication process between the sender and the receiver (oral, written and body language), the receiver may not perceive the message, in the same manner the sender had thought of. Such miscommunication happens due to various factors.

In this edition, we have explained the many factors contributing to such miscommunication along with some examples. We have also given the tips to avoid such miscommunication.

This issue is guest edited by the students of Business Communication Course of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai as part of their project. Please also watch the podcast produced by them sharing their interesting personal experiences of miscommunication.

The ezine in pdf format (690 k) may be downloaded from the following link

http://www.prpoint.com/ezine/presense0910.pdf 

Please watch the podcast produced by the guest editors.

Preview of the ezine

Read More

Stress Management through Meditation - Simple techniques

PodUniversal Edition 111

Brahmakumaris, one of the leading spiritual organisations conducted a three-day National Media Conference 2010 from 17th September 2010 at Mount Abu.

Dr Sanddhya (extreme right)  interviewing B K  Binny (middle).
K. Srinivasan (left) recording the conversation

As part of this event, they had requested me to conduct a 'workshop on Podcasting'.  During the workshop, to give an hands-on experience to the participants, we asked them  to conduct an interview among themselves and to edit the audio live.

Accordingly, Dr Sanddhya from Pune, one of the workshop participants, interviewed Sister B K Binny, Public Relations Manager of Global Hospitals, Mount Abu (Rajasthan), who was also a participant.  Since B K Binny is already teaching Stress Management through Meditation at various places, the participants in the workshop decided that the topic could be on "Stress Management through Meditation" itself, for the benefit of all. The audio was edited by Kunal C Panchal, another participant from Mumbai.

Since the podcast interview was very useful, we decided to share this audio in public for the benefit of all. After the interview, we have also added one minute 'mild music'.  The listners may listen to the music and sit in silence with positive thoughts, to enjoy the power of meditation.

Please listen to the audio interview by clicking 'play' button (11 minutes).  The audio was recorded live during the workshop in the presence of all the participants and edited immediately.  The audio streaming will be smooth in broadband connections.  If you find any difficulty, you may download the audio in mp3 format, by right clicking this link and save to your desktop.

If you want to contact B K Binny for more details on stress management and meditation, you may write to her at bkbinny@gmail.com  

While listening to the interview, please also watch the photographs taken during the workshop.

The podcast interview may also be listened from the following link.

http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857519

Read More

Corporate and Media communication are extremely tainted

PodUniversal Edition 110

Press Council of India is the Statutory  Regulatory Authority in India to govern the conduct of print and broadcast media. The Chairman of this body is selected by a high power committee, which includes the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of Rajya Sabha.  The Chairman is selected from the panel of retired Supreme Court Judges.  

Brahma Kumaris, one of the leading spiritual organisations, organised a three-day  National Media Conference 2010 at Mount Abu from 17th Sep 2010.  The Conference was inaugurated by Hon'ble Justice G N Ray, Chairman, Press Council of India.  

K. Srinivasan interviewing Justice G N Ray

After the inauguration of National Media Conference 2010, we recorded an exclusive interview for PodUniversal, with Justice G N Ray.  During our podcast interview, Justice G N Ray covered the following aspects.

1.  Freedom of speech in India and cross media ownership, as compared to the other countries.

2.  "Paid News syndrome".  Justice Ray  condemns the paid news syndrome adopted by some of the media houses and calls it as 'unfortunate'.  He says, Press Council of India has also submitted their recommendations to Election Commission of India.

3.  He also feels that Corporate Communication is extremely tainted. Now, some of the media houses enter into an agreement with corporates and acquire a certain percentage of shares.  He expressed concern over this phenomenon.  He also quoted the example of Reliance Power, who priced their shares at Rs.425/- at the time of IPO.  Immediately within a week, the price fell and he says, till date, the price has not reached even Rs.200/-.  He expresses concern over the hype created by the communication professionals and the media.

Since the above concerns are being expressed by a person of the stature of Chairman of Press Council of India and a former Supreme Court Judge, Indian Corporate communication/PR professionals and Media houses should introspect the present situation and restore the past glory.

Please listen to his full interview by clicking 'play' button.  (8 minutes). The streaming of audio will be smooth in broadband connections.  If there is any difficulty, you may download the audio, by right clicking this link and saving to your desktop in mp3 format (7 mb).

This podcast may also be listened from the following link.

http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857518

Read More

Lord Ganesha symbolises an ideal CEO

PodUniversal Edition 109

Today (11th September 2010) is Ganesh Chaturthi and Hindus across the world celebrate this day  and  worship their favourite God Lord Ganesha popularly known as Lord Vigneshwara or Lord Vinayaka.  Lord Ganesha with His big elephant head, an elephant trunk, two large ears, two small sharp eyes, two tusks (of which one is broken), four hands, a big pot belly with a mouse under His feet symbolises the role of a CEO, to render better governance.

Picture courtesy and source: YGOY

Prof. Bala Balachandran, the Founder of Greatlakes Institute and a globally well known Management Guru during his recent visit to India gave a podcast interview to PodUniversal over phone on the various symbolism of Lord Ganesh.

Please watch / listen to his explanation (12 minutes).

This video may also be watched from the following link.
http://youtu.be/S69bE6OthlY 

Read More

Managing events - tips to overcome challenges

PodUniversal Edition 108

Dr S Manivannan being
interviewed by Ms Janani

Dr S Manivannan, CEO, Medicall, the largest organiser of Medical equipment exhibition in India shared his views on the 'event management' with the participants of Business Communication course at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on 29th August 2010.  
Ms Janani, one of the participants interviewed him on various aspects of event management, including the challenges.  

Please listen to his interview by clicking 'play' button in the flash player.  The audio streaming will be smooth in broadband connections.  If you face any difficulty in audio streaming, you may download the audio in mp3 format, by right clicking this link and saving to your desktop.

This podcast interview may also be listened from the following link.

http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857509

Read More

India will be the education capital of the world in 20 years

PodUniversal Edition 107

Prof. Bala Balachandran, Founder of Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai and a well known International Management Guru interacted with the participants of Business Communication Course at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai on 21st August 2010.  After the interaction session, Mr Narayanan, one of the participants of the course interviewed Prof. Bala for PodUniversal and to get a hands-on experience for podcast making.

Prof. Bala (left) being interviewed
by Mr Narayanan

During his brief interview, Prof. Bala said that India was an education capital of the world 2000 years back and we had great Universities like Dakshaseela, Pushpagiri and Nalanda in India guiding the world.  He was optimistic that India will again be the education capital for the world in 20 years.  We will have Dakshaseela, Pushpagiri and Nalanda in United States too.

Please listen to his interesting  interview (5 minutes) by clicking 'play' button.  This audio streaming will be smooth in broadband connections.  If you find any difficulty, you may right click this link and download the mp3 format of this audio and save to your desktop.

The photo stream of the event:

The audio may also be listened from the following link:

http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857508

Read More

Challenges in the use of internet - A radio interview

(L to R) Mr Sudarshan (Producer),
Prof. Namitha Gopal (interviewer)
and K. Srinivasan (interviewee)

Internet has come to stay globally.  How the internet can be used for the betterment of the society?  What are the challenges provided by the internet?  These are all the questions in the minds of many people.

All India Radio, Chennai broadcast an interview with me on 19th August 2010 on this theme.  Prof. Namitha Gopal was the interviewer and Mr Sudarshan was the Producer of this interview.

During this interview, I have explained the evolution of internt, blogs and the social media.

Please listen to this interview (14 minutes) by clicking 'play' button.  Streaming of the audio will be smooth in broadband connections.  If the streaming is not smooth, you may right click this link and download the mp3 format of this interview to your desktop.

The interview may also be listened form the following link

http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857507

Read More

Spare two hours a week, to achieve Vision 2020

ECE Department of VelTech Dr RR & Dr SR Technical University, Chennai organised a National Technical Symposium known as OMZOIC 10, on 14th August 2010,  inviting students from different engineering colleges.  More than 600 students participated in the event.   I was invited by them to be the Guest of Honour during the inauguration.  Dr Rangarajan, Chancellor and Founder of the University was also present.

K. Srinivasan addressing
OMZOIC 10

The event was organised in a professional manner.  The multimedia presentation (short film) made by the ECE students was highly professional.  Since, it was held on the eve of Independence Day, they had requested me to talk on the role of youth in achieving Vision 2020.

In my short speech of 7 minutes, I reminded the students of the struggle made by our freedom fighters and the role of youngsters in achieving the dream of our elders.  Among other things, I appealed to the students to spare two hours a week for the society, so that we could achieve our Vision 2020 easily.  Please listen to my speech by clicking 'play' button.

This can also be watched from the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMw6cRHPFY0

Read More

e-Governance enables citizens to feel the Government, without seeing it

PodUniversal Edition 106

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai has recently started an executive diploma course on "Business Communication" for working professionals.  The programme was launched by Dr Abdul Kalam last month.  As part of this programme, successful CEOs are being invited every alternate week, to share their views with the participants.  Accordingly, Dr Santhosh Babu IAS, Managing Director, ELCOT and Director of e-Governance, Government of Tamilnadu was invited to share his views on Saturday the 14th August 2010.

Dr Santhosh Babu IAS (left) being
interviewed by Rajadurai

After the session, one of the participants Mr Rajadurai interviewed Dr Santhosh Babu as a  project and this interview was edited in the next session by the participants, to get a hands-on experience on making of podcast. Since this interview contains lot of useful information for the public, we share this podcast here.  (Since this was recorded in the class room, we could not avoid external disturbances during initial part of the interview).

During this interview, Dr Santhosh Babu explained how e-Governance can help to improve the efficiency of the Government system and to reduce the corruption.

Please listen to his interesting and informative interview by clicking 'play' button.  (7 m 28s).  The streaming of audio will be smooth in broadband connections.  If you find any streaming difficulty, you may download the audio in mp3 format, by right clicking this link and saving to your desktop. (6 mb)

Please see the photos taken during that occassion.

This podcast may also be listened from the following site.
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857506

Read More

Historic event of temple entry by Harijans at Madurai - Rare pictures

PodUniversal Edition 105 - Independence Day Special Podcast

Independence Day Greetings to all.  Jai Hind

Prior to 1940, Harijans, otherwise considered as low caste persons were not allowed into any Hindu temples by customs and usage.  In those days, if any Harijan entered into a temple, he could be prosecuted for violating the customs and punished as a trespasser.  Mahatma Gandhi wanted to eradicate this un-touchability from the country and tried to change the mind-set of upper caste people through persuasion.

Mr Vadiyanatha Iyer

Mr Vaidyanatha Iyer, a leading lawyer at Madurai was very closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi and the freedom movement.  He and his wife spent their time for the upliftment of the poor Harijans and downtrodden.  In those days of acute orthodoxy, he was inviting harijan childen to his house and taking food with them.

After Congress party assumed power in 1936 in Madras Province under the Prime Minstership (in those days, the post was called as Prime Minister) of Mr C Rajagopalachari (popularly known as Rajaji), the mvement for eradicating the untouchability grew up.  Mr Vaidyanatha Iyer started persuading upper caste people in Madurai to change the customs and to allow Harijans also inside the temple.  Though many accepted the suggestion, some of the radical people were opposing the entry of Harijans into temples.

Rare picture -
 Harijan entry into Madurai temple on
8th July 1939 

On 8th July 1939, Mr Vaidyanatha Iyer took 4 Harijans (including Mr Kakkan, who later became Minister in Mr Kamaraj ministry) and one Nadar community person.  (see the rare photo).  The temple entry was opposed by a group of radical people.  Since entry of Harijans was prohibited in those days by custom, the radical people filed criminal complaint against Mr Vaidyanatha Iyer and the Harijans for 'trespassing into temple'.  This was punishable under law then.

Immediately, then Prime Minister of Madras Province Mr Rajaji issued an ordinance permitting Harijans into all temples retrospectively  and it was made as a law subsequently.  This historic event and the ordinance by Rajaji were pioneers in Indian history.  Mahatma Gandhi was running a magazine called 'Harijan'. In the issue dated 22nd July 1939, Mahatma Gandhi praised Mr Vaidyanatha Iyer and his team for the temple entry. (See the photo slide show)

Mr Vaidyanatha Iyer was arrested for his participation in the Quit India Movement.  He was released from the prison in 1945, after nearly 3 years.  He was one of the leading practising lawyers at that time.  The Government filed a case against him to prevent him from practising as an Advocate, as he had undergone imprisonment under criminal charges.  The case came up before Justice Sir Lionel Leach, who advised him to seek an apology so that he could continue to be an advocate.  But Mr Vaidyanatha Iyer refused to apologise in the Court for all his acts and said that he would prefer not to practise as an Advocate, rather than apologising.  Impressed with his conviction, the Judge acquitted him and permitted him to continue as an Advocate as a special case.

Mr Sthanunathan

On the 64th Independence day, PodUniversal wanted to remember and pay respects to such great Heroes and bring out their courage and conviction to the new generation.  In an exclusive conversation with K. Srinivasan, Editor of Poduniversal, Mr Sthanunathan, (now 90), son-in-law of Mr Vaidyanatha Iyer shared his memories.

Please listen to the exciting podcast interview by clicking play button (14 minutes).  The audio streaming will be smooth in broadband connections.  If the streaming is not smooth, you may download the audio (13 mb) by right clicking this link and saving to your desktop in mp3 format.

Mr Sthanunathan may be reached at sthanunathank (at) yahoo.com 
The audio may also be listened from

http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857504

Read More

India's largest medical equipment expo Medicall 2010

PodUniversal Edition 104

India's largest and Asia's third largest medical equipment expo was opened on 6th August 2010.  In this three-day expo, more than 400 exhibitors from China, Germany, Taiwan, England and India have displayed their latest medical equipments.  More than 8000 medical professionals are expected to visit the expo.  

During this three days, various seminars are being held on different medical themes.  This podcast brings out the birds-eye-view of the expo.

Please click 'play button' to watch this visual podcast.

This podcast may also be listened from the following link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQc-qUqF0y0

Read More