About the Nursing Uprising in Kerala

Let me try to put things in perspective: Nursing profession got attractive among Kerala youth not because they thought that they will get great jobs in Kerala or to that matter in India. They were dreaming/aiming at working and migrating to abroad. That's why they took huge loans and studied in nursing colleges mostly outside Kerala giving hefty capitation fees. They just wanted jobs for 2-3 years in prestigious Kerala hospitals to get working experience. But now because of GFC and the impending GFC II, the would nursing market is coming down and our nurses are no more welcome in those countries as in the past (They just implement tough IELTS condition, etc, etc which our new nurses cant get). The nursing community realize the danger. They are stuck. Also our medical field/industry is growing at a phenomenal rate. Nurses see that. They want a share of it. Fair, but the effect will be rocketing hospital/medical fees/expenses in Kerala. No more cheap labor, which is good, but that will result in a situation medical assistance going away from the reach of poor masses in Kerala, in the near future. We can also expect a cut in the number of nursing positions in hospitals, which means lesser job opportunities for new nursing students and deteriorating nursing care in hospitals. What we need is a balance. Nursing should remain as a noble profession of serving and not to be considered as a profession to make money. At the same time improve the working and salary conditions of the nurses to just-wage levels so that nurses can continue this serving ministry with dignity. Feel free to express your creative responses. No abuse please.

Published at MarunadanMalayalee

India bashing

Comment by Peggy O'Connor as a reply to my facebook post:

Obama started his 20 hr journey to Indian and will be in India for three days, the longest single stretch he has spent
in any foreign country. He will stay in Taj Mumbai - sending a very strong message to terrorists of all sorts. Good. And hope Obama's plan to increase trade wont re-colonize India. I think, this time we know how to deal it :)

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Peggy O'Connor:

"America has been built by persons of all nations. Labor was hard, pay was not always fair, nor were conditions good. People in America struggled, worked hard to stop explotation of the worker. Formed Unions to protect workers that they shou...ld not have to work as slaves for slaves wages. To earn a decent, deserving wage. Many people fought hard, died, suffered to make this Country a place where so obviously today so many people want to live because of the fair chances for success. Because we have rules that govern the workplace. Protection of law for the working people. These other Countries, such as India, what have they done for their working poor, or just plain poor? What Unions have they started to protect workers rights for fair wage? What are the regulations on Child labor? What chance for "Untouchables" to have live a decent life? What "Justice" is owed to India. England colonized India. Not America. It is and has been India's responsibility to take care of it's people. India does not take care of it's people. It's people are exploited regularly. We don't want that in America. We don't want to be bought down to the level of slave work and slave wage. We expect more. We expect a fair pay for a fair days work. We don't accept Child labor. We don't make slaves of untouchables. I do not want my Country to ever be like India. With the tremendous human rights violations I detest our jobs going to India. You have atomic bombs but your people starve and live in filth and poverty...and you want justice??? Justice for what??? Why don't you start with Justice for the Untouchables? We, the United States, did not make India. India, as all other Countries is what it's people have made it."

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PS: I took this post out of my facebook page, because I found that this was too much of India bashing to demoralize Indian people, which I dont support. I publish it in a separate blog to protect the freedom of expression of Peggy O'Connor.

Climate Change/Global Warming politics

Climate Change/Global Warming politics is simple.. if the highest emitters (per capita & of historic footprint) dont act and compensate (mostly developed nations), the lowest emitters (mostly developing nations) have the right to raise the living standards of their people cheaply, as most of the highest emitters did in the past.

Then highest emitters have to keep quite (no preaching) and lowest emitters (per capita and historic footprint) of populous countries of China and India will get the license to emit more.

In the past we could have "told" China or India to "stop" emitting. But not any more.

Only incentive for China or India to focus on global warming could be the "green" economy that may develop in the developed nations. China and India wont like to "miss that bus" (They already missed industrial revolution). If that's to happen, developed nations (who are indeed biggest emitters) should turn to "green" economies. That is, we need ETS or something similar.

US (and the West) has to learn how to deal sensibly with East and Islam

SRK was detained and questioned in US airport. http://bit.ly/11ftFP US is loosing all the goodwill of Muslims in India and over the world. Pity.

The so called security procedure of US is going overboard. Its all about a balance between professionalism and sensitivity to Eastern cultural values, I guess. If this was happened to politicians or celebrities in the West, it would not have created so much fuss. On the other had, the public would have enjoyed it. But in the East respect for the "Elderly, religious, rich and influential" people are paramount. Irreverence to them is less tolerated, even in the public level. The West simply ignored that in the past, coz, the East was subjugated for economic and political reasons. But as the East gets more power and influence, they will start to assert their values. Now, its the time the West start to listen to it and adjust.

Split India, China strategic reporter says! My response is cautious

http://bit.ly/cD4nn

I'm sure, China will play games.. because they fear US has included India to create a circle of enemies around China (India, Japan, Aus, etc). That will annoy China. So they try to create a small circle around India - Pak, SL, Bangla, Nepal, etc and try splitting us).

We need US and China. Even if we ally with US, we have to make it clear to China that we are not their enemies. Then only they wont worry much abt India and India n China will prosper together.

That's the way to go..

China-India hotline soon

China-India hotline soon.. A welcoming news.. The two emerging powers in the region should have it.. I can sense that it is a very positive news. At the moment China has it only with US and India has it only with Russia http://bit.ly/iUtH1

Only improved relations between India and China can bring bargaining power and just deals for these countries with other "Developed nations". I can reflect on India, China, Aus relationships. India wants Uranium from Aus, China wants Iron ore from Aus. But Aus plays a double game with India and China and split them apart and always make sure that their resources and over priced. If this has to end, both India and China should stand together, at least for economic issues like this, setting apart their political differences. Then only India and China will get reasonably priced resources from Australia.

A.R Rahman's "Mustafaa Mustafaa DON'T WORRY mustafaa" from the movie Kadal Desam.

I loved this movie and song, when I saw it as a kid :) The friendship, esp among boys (and also among gals) were so intense and sincere. They never thought abt the word "gay" or "lesbian". We enjoyed friendship. But the import of some Western junk "free thinking" into India may ruin all these innocence, I'm afraid. Many of the Western commentators in this youtube site even fail to understand that it is not a "gay" relationship but only friendship. It's a pity. But the saddest thing is Eastern culture is also getting malicious with these undesirable influence from the West. Our children may not enjoy innocence and friendship as we have enjoyed. If they hold hands, hug, pat.. they will be branded as "gays" and "lesbians". Pity.

God save friendship! Long live friendship and innocence...

Where is Krishna? Australia is punching above its weight!

I watched in a side story of ABC lateline yesterday that Indian foreign minister S M Krishna is in Australia. I saw him on tele coming to Melbourne and received by Victorian premier. Its humiliating in itself! its just like Stephen Smith is been received by CM of Kerala! Moreover Krishna is seen nowhere in today's Australian media - print and online. I am surprised!

What kind of politics is this?

Is Australia is punching above its weight? ..delebarately ignoring Indian FM, who came here in the wake of alleged racial attacks on Indian students? It was Krishna who acted decisively in those events - directing his ambassador to convene a press meet in Vic. I think, Aus is giving back to him. But this is bad politics.. arrogant as always Aus is portrayed internationally.. Aus is confirming its stereotypical status by being so arrogant.. no much difference between Aus and China in this regard, I think (remembering the Hu case).

"..great things england did for india"!

It was an online discussion on at http://bit.ly/17kgPQ. I wrote this comment to the forum. But I will be lucky, if it gets published. There's a misconception in the minds of white men (and women), especially if they got some connection to England - England made India! That's rubbish. That does not reflect facts. Only problem with India was it was foolish in front of some colonial traders with gun powder in the past. Hope she wont make the same mistakes in the future. That's my prayer (and yesterday India launched its first nuclear submarine, I am really happy. It's a deterrent). This was my reply to an "r of Gold Coast".
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I am an Indian, still a student but resident of Aus.. I thought I wouldnt comment in the forum.. But this remark by "r of gold coast 12:13pm today" compels me to put my two cents into it: "Look at the great things england did for india.." Yes we know what England did for India. When the first colonial traders came to India, India controlled 26-27% world economy. When they left in 1947, India's share in world economy was reduced to less than 2%. Great things indeed, what England had done to India. You must be proud of it (if you claim to be of English descent)! And hope you will give back to India what you have taken from her ?! (I would be lucky, if this gets published :)

Indian Eclipse

This is a wonderful picture of Indian experience of Solar eclipse. Its spiritual, religious, ancient and bit funny too :) I loved this pic.

Australians Greens turning Red (rather yellow)!

Australian Greens prove to be a BIG joke. Not a single serious word, against the proposed new U mine in South Australia. Moreover Peter Garret champions it (he sang passionate songs against N Energy in the past)! It's economy. economy of 1st world.. When that comes Greens of 1st world will shut their mouth conveniently. I've been told bfore 10yrs :) That is coming true.

I posted the above comment (similar one) on twitter few minutes ago. I was browsing "The Australian". Got this amazing poll result. Australia wants to go nuclear! Just couple of months back, I remember a similar poll. The Australians were dead against Nuclear reactors. My supervisor is a Green. May be an year ago I told him that the opposition of Greens to Nuclear power is just bad/baseless/opportunistic. He was defending Green position with an impregnated silence. That was the mood of Australia. Now all on a sudden, Australia wants to go Nuclear! What a joke!



Its not just joke. Its the trait, that disturbs me. These people/culture/countries can change color at the glimmer of a time. All what they preach (whether it is democracy, economy, ecology, international relations) is valid for the period that "benefit" them. After that they can change color at any time - just like in Hollywood movies.

I never saw that kind of attitude in the East.

Since they cannot change color like that, they can easily be fooled. Hope Indian Greens ("the Third World Greens.. haha") will not be fooled to be instruments in the hands of "Developed World Greens" who could really use them for their benefit. Is there a consistent policy about Nuclear Energy for Greens though out the world.. I mean through out different countries in the world? I'm pretty sure there wont be. That's handy, isn't it!

Hilary in India - on TOI

I cant believe. the amount of work Hillary did in India. Here is another interview on TOI. The interviewer fumbles though.





Its remarkable that she stayed at TAJ, Mumbai to show support to India on its efforts against terrorism.

Hilary in India

Worth watching.. Hillary on NDTV.

India marches in Paris, for what?

Indian soldiers marched during the Bastille Day military parade on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris. It's good to see friends flock together. I am just thinking about China. What will they be getting out of it? There was a recent report by an Indian defense journalist that China may attack India in as early as 2012 to divert its attention from internal discomfort. The signs are already seen here in Australia. A Rio Tinto staff is held in China for spying. Growing discomfort of China towards Aus, since Aus did not allow the Chinalco deal to go through. Kevin Rudd played smart. Now he is getting back.

But what about India and China? India should be very very careful and diplomatic. We got a Dalai Lama to be protected. Btw, Australia send a delegation to Dharmasala, India to visit Lama. That's cunning. Even when Lama comes to Aus, they wouldnt meet him. But send a delegation to INDIA to meet Lama! wow.. some nasty game of diplomacy it must be. That was during the delegation's visit to quell discontent about Indian student attack in Aus! Aus seems playing nasty to put India on the back foot.

In nutshell, it's all about INDIA. India has to tread on a narrow rope - very cautiously, especially when people like KRudd is here. God help Man Mohan Singh!

Kapil Sibal's New Education Revolution

Kapil Sibal's New Education Revolution thoughts are shared in NDTV. Good, if that happens! (many of them).

Being Indian in Australia!

A wonderful report by Nathasha Jog about "Being Indian in Australia!".

Being Indian in Australia!

A wonderful report by Nathasha Jog about "Being Indian in Australia!".

BRIC's First Summit

I was really impressed by the article of Brazil's President Luiz Ináo Lula da Silva. It was reported in "The Hindu". A good read.. insightful.. a “time for politics”!!

Read it here.

BRIC's First Summit

I was really impressed by the article of Brazil's President Luiz Ináo Lula da Silva. It was reported in "The Hindu". A good read.. insightful.. a “time for politics”!!

Read it here.

A creative suggestion to improve safety of Indian students in Australia

This is the suggestion I send today to the High Commission of India in Australia as a response to the recent violent attacks on Indian students.
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To

Mrs. Sujatha Singh
High Commissioner of India
Canberra, Australia

Sub: A creative suggestion to improve safety of Indian students in Australia - Student Settlement Services by Australian Universities.

Madam,

I represent prestigious Rajagiri group of educational institutions Kochi, Kerala, India in Australia and heads it Australian operations as the Director of “Rajagiri Australia” (www.rajagiri.com.au). Rajagiri Australia has initiated twinning programs between Rajagiri, Kochi and major Australian universities and also serves as student agent for those Australian universities in India and Australia. In the wake the recent attacks on Indian students in Australia, I got the following suggestions to make to improve safety of Indian students in Australia.

1. Insist Australian Universities to provide Student Settlement and safety-net service.

The major problem of students coming to Australia is that they don’t get any other help from universities than the CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment) even after paying heavy fees. They just arrive in airport and don’t know where to go, where to settle and practically no contacts/references. In such desperation, they end up in unsafe suburbs/homes and pushed to take unsafe works and work habits, which eventually make them vulnerable targets.

The solution is to give them hospitality, settlement and reference services as they arrive to Australia. In theory the universities claim that they got these services. But in practice they just don’t have this for many reasons, like – they don’t set apart enough funds and plans for these services, they don’t have the expertise in settlement services, they simply cannot give reference services.

Agencies those have got expertise in these areas can easily provide these services. “Rajagiri Australia” is experimenting this kind of services to students coming through us in our own way. That is to provide students with airport pickup, shared accommodation facilities, availability of ongoing support through an office (presently our Melbourne office) and reference services (provide a network of people who can contact and trust).

Being a student myself, I have gone through all the troubles of student life in Australia. That is why I initiated this service. We can do it because we don’t have much monetary considerations as we are Catholic priests’ group and plan to set apart a big chunk of commission amount we get from Aus Universities(in recruiting students as an agent) to these services. But in general (for all other agencies), this is not possible. Because the commission amount is meant only for recruitment services and not enough/not meant for other additional services.

So, the suggestion is to encourage universities to provide these settlement services – for their students - which include airport pickup, accommodation services, agent office support, reference services - though their “authorized agents”. Universities should set apart a fixed amount (say 5% of first year fee) towards these services on the top of the commission to those agents. This will enable those agents to provide the above services to students.


2. Rate Australian universities and Settlement agencies to enforce higher safely for Indian students.

The Indian government should introduce separate rating/accreditation system for Australian universities and the proposed student settlement agents. Universities who provide this “Settlement services” should be given higher safely ratings by India government. It will provide better advice to prospective students to Australia. India government also shall accredit “Settlement” agencies after scrutiny.

This will give ample impetus to Australian Universities to adopt Settlement services as part of their student recruitment process and their Settlement agencies to perform well to give effective services to their student customers.

I live in Canberra. I will be very happy to give any further inputs regarding this suggestion by coming to your office. Please feel free to contact me.

With regards,

Fr Jaison Paul Mulerikkal CMI
RAJAGIRI AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
ABN: 85 128 322 761
Web: www.rajagiri.com.au