The Bored Exams – Finally here !

D-Day is finally here. Tomorrow are Freia’s Board exams. The ICSE Board Exams. Or as popularly known, the Xth Standard exams. An important event as it’s the 1st time that students are giving an exam that their school will not be evaluating. The assessments will be done by the ICSE Board.

For some strange reason, the Xth exams have always been considered important. And the preparation for the momentous event starts more than 2 years prior. The students get to choose their Section 2 subjects, the most preferred choice being Math and Science, as well as an optional subject when they enter the IX. Whilst there are several choices, Computer Applications and Technical Drawing are probably the top 2 favorites.

The IXth is a compressed and condensed course, with most of it being part of the Xth exams. And the class ends in February, with the Xth starting in March, instead of the traditional June. Most students spend their summer break attending classes. And then they do several practice exams, preliminary exams, and sometimes even final preliminary exams. A typical student would have given around 100+ exams in preparation for the Board exams.

Come January, the students are given holidays to study at home. And even before that, the attendance drops dramatically after the prelim exams. With parents encouraging students to sit and home and study and not waste time going to school. At Freia's school attendance only perked up when the Principal sent an SMS saying that all absentees would need to get a medical certificate.

In January and February, parents pressurize the kids to study, since their life depends on it. Unfortunately, I was no exception. And as I said to a friend who checked on how Freia’s studies were going. “She’s studying twice as much as I did, but half as much as I’d like her to.”

By the time the actual exams are over, all of us are bored. There’s just so much one can do. And if it's someone like Freia, who is neither a believer in the exam system or a hard worker, it becomes doubly difficult. And so, January and February were spent mostly by Freia studying a little between TV breaks.

The primary reason for the importance of the Boards was that the results would be the basis on which admissions to college would be given. Wait a minute. That is no longer true. Most students have already got and paid for admissions in various colleges. On the basis of the IXth exams. Or on the basis of entrance exams held by the colleges. And the CBSE Board has now made the Xth Board exams itself optional. So the magic of the Xth is slowly but surely fading.

And as we go to bed on the eve of the exam, Freia comes to me and says, “Pa, can you please wake me up at 6”. I’m touched. I have tears in my eyes. Finally my little daughter on the eve of here exams has realized the significance of exams and the ICSE Boards. Until, I’m brought out of my dream by her next statement. "The Oscars are being telecast live tomorrow morning".

Jumping to Conclusions !

2 years ago, for several weeks the news channels were filled with the murder of Aarushi, a teenage girl from Delhi. Here’s a brief outline:

“On the morning of May 16, 2008, Aarushi Talwar, a 14-year-old Class IX student of Delhi Public School in Noida and the daughter of a successful dentist couple, was found dead with her throat slit in her parents' home at Jalvayu Vihar in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The prime suspect was their domestic help Hemraj. However, the police found the dead body of the missing domestic help, Hemraj, on the terrace, 2 days later.

After a disorganized investigation, the police arrested Dr. Rajesh Talwar, the father of Aarushi on May 23, 2008, charging him with having committed the double murder. His wife, Dr. Nupur Talwar accused the police of framing him, and requested Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati to transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The Central Bureau of Investigation took over the investigation into the murders of Aarushi and Hemraj on June 1, 2008, forming a 25-member team in an attempt to crack the case. The CBI declared that Rajesh Talwar was innocent and he was released. A few days later, 3 persons who were friends of Hemraj, including an assistant of the Talwars were arrested. They too were subsequently released."

2 years later, the CBI filed a closure report saying that there was insufficient evidence to identify the murderer.
And that’s when the whole saga re-opened. The Talwars moved court, requesting that the CBI not be allowed to close the case. And what they though would get them justice for their daughter turned into a nightmare. At the hearing the CBI revealed that the only suspect was Dr. Rajesh Talwar. The court then ordered the prosecution of not only Dr. Talwar, but also his wife Dr. Nupur for the murders. And the media had a field day. Everybody had an opinion. And most were convinced that the Talwars were guilty. Theories were in plenty. Ranging from honor to immoral lifestyle to …

And then the media released sections of the closure report. Based on what was spoon fed to them. Convenient parts. Their reasoning for the suspicions.
1. No one other than the Talwar’s had access to the house. And there was no break in.
2. The parents claimed to be sleeping next door. How is that possible, when a brutal murder is being committed.
3. The keys to the terrace where the body of Hemraj was found was not provided by the Talwars.
4. The golf stick suspected to have been used was cleaned.
5. There was internet activity from the router in Aarushi’s room on the night of the murder from 12 - 3 a.m.

No wonder the nation was convinced. And so was the media and the talk show celebrities. Not many bothered to even look beyond what was being said. I found it a little strange that if the case was this straight forward, then why wasn’t it closed 2 years ago ? And so wanted to know more. And was shocked and dismayed with what I found.

Here are some of the facts, all available in the public domain and part of the records. Let me just throw light on the 5 charges.

1. No one other than the Talwar’s had access to the house. And there was no break in.
This is probably the silliest charge and I’m disappointed that what a Class 5 student would point out has eluded the CBI. The Talwars had Hemraj living in, and with a set of keys. Anyone who was close to Hemraj had access not only to the keys, but could drop in as Hemraj’s guest and there would be no break in. And that’s just 2 of the several possibilities.

2. The parents claimed to be sleeping next door. How is that possible, when a brutal murder is being committed ?
What has conveniently been left out is that in a recreation of the event the very next night, the police team who were in the same room as the Talwars, and presumably awake, were unable to hear any noises from Nupurs room. So its definitely possible that 2 sleeping persons would hear nothing.

3. The keys to the terrace where the body of Hemraj was found was not provided by the Talwars.
Once again, sounds silly. If you lose a child, and are in shock, and someone asks for the keys of an area, is it unreasonable to not know where they are. And what exactly stopped the police from breaking the lock? A tiny lock.

4. The golf stick suspected to have been used was cleaned.
What’s not mentioned is that the Talwars shifted houses after the event. And the Golf set was transferred to their new home with CBI permission and supervision. And finally the complete set was cleaned as a normal cleaning process, not just 1 golf club. And the CBI asked for it after 1 year of the event. And interestingly the original police claim was that the reason Dr. Talwar was a suspect, was that a surgical incision was made by a medical professional using a surgical knife. Since when has a golf club become a surgical knife ?

5. There was internet activity from the router in Aarushi’s room on the night of the murder from 12 - 3 a.m.
Once again an unbelievable half truth. What is not being said is that there was internet activity from the exact same router at the exact same time on the next day when the police were in the room. And the internet service provided has called it “unexplainable”.

I have no idea whether or not the Talwars are innocent or guilty. What I do know however is that the evidence on the basis of which almost the complete TV watchers have pronounced them guilty is not only not “Beyond reasonable doubt”, but blatantly unfair.

Don't always believe what you read !

On Thursday Feb 10, I woke up to read an headline about a 53 year old person committing a crime in Powai. Since I also live in Powai, I read the article. Interest turned to horror as I realized that the place in question was my building, and the person in question, my neighbor on the 4th floor. A nice, quiet person.

Here's the article:

53-yr-old runs over dog in Powai, booked

MUMBAI: A 53-year-old man was booked for rash and negligent driving after allegedly killing a stray dog on Monday night. The incident occurred around 8.30 pm on the premises of Sunglow Building (A wing) in Raheja Vihar Complex, Chandivli, Powai.

The police said the suspect, Prem Prakash, in an Innova, went in reverse gear and ran over the dog, Brownie, killing it immediately. A security guard who witnessed the incident informed an animal lover Susheela Salian, 62, who stays on the second floor of the building with her son and daughter-in-law. Salian lodged a complaint against Prakash (who lives on the fourth floor) at the Powai police station after persisting for five hours.

"Brownie was close to my life," Salian told TOI. "He was killed minutes after I fed him biscuits and eggs. Prakash and his son are a nuisance to animals."

Prakash responded to the allegation, saying: "It is baseless. These stray dogs are a menace and several people are afraid of them. If Salian is to care about the dogs, she should keep them home."

Salian's son Nitin said: "My mother is a strong lover of animals. She has been looking after several dogs in our locality. She has spent over Rs 7 lakh since 2001 on sterilization and food for them.

"In the past, we complained to the housing society about Prakash and his son's behaviour. They threatened the society members and my mother."

Prakash said he never caused harm to anyone in the building and was being targeted for no reason.

Senior inspector Prakash Jadhav of the Powai police said the matter is being investigated and the department is awaiting the post-mortem report of the dog, the body of which is at the hospital of the Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Lower Parel. "Action will be taken against the suspect if he is found guilty."

Prakash has been booked under the IPC--sections 279 (rash driving in a public place) and 429 (making mischief by killing or maiming animals)--and the Animal Cruelty Act. 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/53/yr/old-runs-over-dog-in-Powai-booked/articleshow/7464085.cms

Whilst the article makes out Mr. Prem Prakash to be a villain and Mrs. Salian an angel, that is nowhere close to the truth. An appeal written by concerned members of the Society, summarizes it well

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February 11, 2011

To,
Residents,
Sunglow CHS

Dear Madam / Sir,

Ref :  Dog Accident at Sunglow Society, Raheja Vihar, Mumbai

As you may be aware an incident happened on the night of Monday, 7th Feb. 2011. The same was covered by the Times of India on the 10th on Page 12. In case you have missed the article, you can check it out at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/53/yr/old-runs-over-dog-in-Powai-booked/articleshow/7464085.cms

The summary was that one of our neighbor Mr. Prem Prakash was alleged to have killed a pet dog willfully while reversing his car. The police were coerced into attempting to arrest him at 12 a.m. and then again at 2 a.m., when they were told to “drag him out of his house”. Fortunately for him the Secretary, Mr. Contractor arrived at that late hour and on enquiring with the watchman realized that the fact was that no one had seen the incident and the police actually had no business harassing him at that hour.

This did not end here. Mr. Prem Prakash had to visit the police station in the morning and the police were once again being coerced to arrest him based on an unsubstantiated allegation. Fortunately better sense prevailed and the police did not arrest him. Nevertheless they have charged him with several serious crimes.
“Prakash has been booked under the IPC--sections 279 (rash driving in a public place) and 429 (making mischief by killing or maiming animals)--and the Animal Cruelty Act.”

Additionally Mr. Nitin Salian, Mrs. Salian’s son has also alleged in the ToI article that:
‘’…Prakash and his son are a nuisance to animals.”
"In the past, we complained to the housing society about Prakash and his son's behaviour. They threatened the society members and my mother."

It’s very unfortunate and sad, that these kind of untrue allegations are being made. It becomes completely unacceptable in a civilized society when the word “nuisance” and “threatened”  are being used in reference to an autistic child, who has not harmed even a fly.

We were sympathetic and realized that if we do not do something today, tomorrow it could be one of us. More importantly, it’s the right thing to do. Hence members got together to hold an impromptu meeting yesterday, (Feb. 12), in the lobby of the C - Wing. Over 20 concerned members attended. Mr. and Mrs. Prem Prakash also attended. We checked with Mr. Prem Prakash about how we could support him and help him resolve his case without further harassment. He requested that a letter signed by members stating the facts with respect to the stray dogs, would be helpful. All of us who attended the meeting agreed that this is the least we can do.

In this connection, we have drafted a letter. We would request you to go through the same and if you believe it to be factual, then please sign it.

Thanking you,
Concerned residents of Sunglow Society.

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The residents signed a letter to the police, which again is self explanatory

---------------------------------------------

February 12, 2011

To,
The Inspector-in-Charge,
Powai Police Station,
Mumbai

Dear Sir,

Ref :  Dog Accident at Sunglow Society, Raheja Vihar, Mumbai

We, the below signed are presently residing at Sunglow CHS, Raheja Vihar, Chandivali, Mumbai. Recently, one of our neighbor, Mr. Prem Prakash, a resident of Flat 402 has been charged with allegedly running over a stray dog.

We would like to inform you that there are several stray dogs in the building. These stray dogs are being fed by Mrs. Salian, a resident of Flat No. 202 in the building. She never allows these dogs to be driven out of the Society Compound and insists that no one has the power to get these dogs removed from our Society compound. This is in spite of several objections by the society members.

These stray dogs are a nuisance and a danger, especially to the children and older members of our Society and also poses  a health hazard to the residents. Additionally, there is always a danger of them being accidentally hurt, especially during the night. Many of us have on many occasions been close to accidentally running over the stray dogs.

We request you to take adequate steps to get these dogs removed from our Society Compound.

Thanking you,
Residents of Sunglow Society

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Yet another incident to show that in our current system, no one cares for the truth and fairness. The person with the most connections and power and friends in the police can virtually get away with murder, as well as accusing others of the same crime.

TIPS for Life from a wise stock broker

Yesterday I met Mr. Jagmohan a 70+ year young man. A stock broker by profession, Mr. Jagmohan is anything but a typical stock broker.

My Dad met Mr. Jagmohan and they became friends at MILT, a couple of decades ago. Those were the days when the stock exchange was manual and the only person who really knew what was going on, was the broker. My dad used to dabble in stocks and ever broker he used was a cheat. Conveniently when you wanted to buy, the price they claimed was always the highest as reported in the Economic Times. On several occasions, it was even higher than that. And the price at which you sold, no prizes for getting this right. The lowest reported by the ET and sometimes even lower.

Mr. Jagmohan changed all that. My Dad suddenly realized that you could get a reasonable deal from a stockbroker. And more importantly good advise. Not intended to make only him money. But also based on what he perceived as the client's risk appetite.Mr. Jagmohan advised Dad to buy HDFC when it was around Rs. 40. Today its a 50 bagger. This is just 1 of several examples.

And 2 decades later, little has changes. He had lots of advise. All meaningful and extremely refreshing when coming from a successful business person in today's times.

3 principles to follow in life

1. Don't become greedy

2. Don't advice incorrectly

3. Don't betray


3 principles to follow in the stock market

1. Draw the line. And then don't cross it. Exit as per plan. Whether profit or loss.

2. Don't worry about what price you had once upon a time bought or sold a stock. Today is a new day. Evaluate afresh whether the stock is worth buying at current levels. Or worth selling ?

3. Don't overtrade. And definitely, don't overextend.

And finally his sign off advise.
"Most importantly, trading is as much of a science as an art. It requires time, effort and dedication. If you work very, very hard, and smart at the same time, you could make a very good living."