Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Tuesday 19 March 2019

L&T Culture


L&T CULTURE 



I was with L&T from 1957 to 1978. I noticed two different cultures during this period. One before 1974 and one after 1974. Some changes were very obvious and some not so clear.


I had very little to do with the company after I left them except for occasional visits on behalf of the World Bank when the Bank was studying Cement sub sector and Capital Goods sector. But always read about the company as a tiny shareholder. I used to analyze the annual reports with great interest and raised questions. A few times, I was denied answers just because I was an ex L&Tite. 


There was a time when HHL personally interviewed candidates as it happened to me in 1956. 


Some of us, who were present at the function to celebrate the Magsaysay Award to HHL, will remember I recollected some of these stories. NMD used to have Shri Ganesh puja at his house and used to invite employees and some customers as well. HHL had once invited me to his house in Denmark when I was visiting Denmark. 


What is the culture now, I don’t know. I wish I knew but things are different now. I have no grouse as the world cannot remain static. Old things fade away and new things take their place. I suffer from one problem that I know inside story of how the company changed from one culture to another and who were the players of that game. Perhaps, I will take story to the other world with me. 


Some in the group were my colleagues during my career with L&T and they know what I did and what I did not. I have no regrets. L&T made a man out of this rusty individual from Rawalpindi who was sent to IIMA and HBS. I cannot ever forget these kindnesses. 


Best regards to all L&Tites.



SPG  [  s  p  goel  ]


========================================

On Sun, Jul 8, 2018 at 7:07 PM Haridas Shenoy <hrshenoy1941@gmail.com> wrote:


What is L&T Culture?


I am not sure whether it should read as ‘What was L&T Culture”. Because, most of us retired people are not in touch with “What is”.


There is an email from UV Rao to DN. I am in the process of formatting it properly and adding a couple of small details. I will circulate that separately; you can read it if you have not already. It brought out a few points of L&T Culture, one of them was customer orientation.


John B Monteiro, in his Preface to the book L&T Switchgear & Other Stories, has highlighted the word 'gratitude' flowing all over the place in various articles.



1                    HCP now seems to have started by analysing an article which he and I wrote about Ramesh D Grover which appeared in L&T Switchgear & Other Stories. In fact, when I wrote and edited that, I did not analyse the way HCP did.


2          In response I received the following email from Gurudatt Kundapurkar 
ex-Parts Dept., Earthmoving & Mining Equipment, Group I. [service from 1960 to 1997] addressed to DN and cc to me.



To: Dr. Nath,

Your sharing the summarized tabulation of L&T Culture motivated me to share the following experience. 


Non-Hierarchical :  

I had the privilege of briefly jotting down the Parts Department’s initiatives and achievements in a particular year.  You will be amused to know that this was asked for by the then Parts Manager for filling up his annual evaluation form. To my embarrassment he large-heartedly told me that I could do it better than he himself could.


Can there be any greater or more generous non-hierarchical spirit in L&T than this, I wonder! For obvious ethical reason I cannot divulge the name of this manager even though he is not alive now. Trust you understand my predicament and also my belief that my sharing the spirit of this instance   gives us yet another dimension of the L&T’s healthy Non-hierarchical Culture.

 3                   My (HRS) own view

L&T Culture comprised of many elements. I have been highly influenced by the caring culture, making one feel important (genuine appreciation) and (internal) customer orientation (since I have no role in dealing with external customers.


3.1      Caring culture


HCP was a part of this. He was my boss from 1965-1971. In 1967, I wanted to pursue higher studies. The only part time option was Costing – evening classes.

For 1 year, he allowed me the option of working 38.5 hours a week, instead of 47 hours – a privilege available to unionised office staff, of course sacrificing a part of my salary.  

I did not appear for the final examination but what I learnt during that one year helped me a lot and is helping me right now as a part of Tejora Technologies.


He cared for his subordinates.



3.2      Making one feel important


KL Kanthan. In 1971, I had to make a choice between two bosses – whom I should be reporting to. Luckily, I did not have to. KLK told in no uncertain terms to the other one “Shenoy is my man.”


VS Shiroor. In 1991. Fast forward twenty years. Group XI had been formed. Service Departments were to be split. Group XI wanted me to move over there. I was reluctant. But it would have been suicidal to declare so. I kept silent.


One day RK Gogia summoned both of us. He gave a 15 minute sales talk on why I should move over. We both silently listened.


I remember only one sentence from VSSr, as he was called then. “My Department needs me more than yours.” No comments needed.



3.3      Internal Customer Orientation

I did not feel it much but there was a perception that Switchboards and Standard Products were step-brothers. I was identified as a Standard Products man though I never felt or acted so.


I retired on 29th April 2000. In the morning I went round Switchboard Assembly Shop, among other shops and offices, announcing that their pain is over. However, one workman, with whom I had interaction because of frequent breakdown of computer terminal, told me in Hindi “Who is there for us now?”.


As if my Department was to shut down because I was retiring.

Let me rest there for the time being.


HR Shenoy, 7666128505

Co-Founder, Tejora Technologies Limited, tejora.com

Monday 18 March 2019

#MainBhiChowkidar





Some 2 days back, Shri Modiji started this campaign, by launching a video , in which people of all ages and from all walks of life are seen singing , “ Main bhi chowkidar “


Idea is to rope in millions of Indian citizens to help catch the corrupt ( -  indeed the job of a Chowkidar )


But the citizens are left wondering :

  I have located a guy in my neighbourhood , who is a proclaimed tax-offender . How do I turn him in ? “




Dear Narendrabhai,

Your very welcome initiative fails to empower ordinary citizens with a tool to truly become a Chowkidar


That tool is a Mobile App , called “ Be-ware “, which I described as follows in my email to the Cabinet Ministers , dated 30  AUG  2016 :


===================================================================


Income Tax department to launch a  Mobile App ( called , " Be-Ware " ? )




Anyone can download it from the web site of IT dept by entering his Aadhar Number / Jan Dhan Bank a/c Number




Be-Ware " will display ( alphabetically ) , names of those Tax Defaulters



Long press on any name , will reveal the person's data ( as seen currently on IT dept web site )




http://office.incometaxindia.gov.in/administration/Pages/tax-defaulters.aspx




Below each data-sheet , will be a button which reads " INFORMER "



Touching it will open a box , wherein the " Informer " can provide information leading to locating / arresting of that defaulter




Just click " SEND " button after typing in the info



That simple !



A return acknowledgement SMS from IT department will give a  REGISTRATION  LINK , clicking which will show the informer , info provided by him , on IT dept web site ( Proof of Pudding ! )



And every time he logs in at this LINK , he will get to know the progress made by IT department in the case



It will also enable him to submit " Supplementary Data " ( about the Defaulter ) , from time to time




A total transparency  , in an atmosphere of Co-operation instead of Confrontation !




Based on info provided , if - and when - IT department recovers any of that TAX DUES , that Informer's  Jan Dhan Bank A/c will get credited with 5 % of the amount recovered ! ( the most welcome and well-earned, DBT ? )




And , the INFORMER will NOT be required to pay any Income Tax , on such deposits  !



One simple rule will apply ( like " Terms and Conditions Apply " )



In case more than one Informer submits similar information about the same Tax Defaulter , the person submitting it FIRST , will get 5 % and each subsequent informer , will get a ENCOURAGEMENT PRIZE of Rs 1,000 / -



In such a case , the decision of the IT department will be final and binding on the informers




If implemented , rest assured that all smart phone manufacturers would want to pre-install " Be-Ware " on each and every phone shipped !



In such cases , the App can be " Activated " by the phone-owner , by registering his Mobile Number on the IT department web site



IT Dept Guys  !


Rope in millions !  Start a " Track-a-Crook " viral fever ! Get back Crores of public money with little effort !



Income Tax Free " manna from heaven " of 5 % , will launch a million sleuths into ,


BRING  THE  CROOK  TO  BOOK " business !


No place for the Corrupts to hide !



But needed , one most important assurance for success :



All " Informers " must be fully protected under " The Whistle-Blower Protection Act " !



Way to Go , with some BOLD / OUT OF BOX , thinking !


======================================================================


Dear Shri Modiji,



My suggestion is a sure way to take this battle against corruption to the people


It will reassure the citizens about your dedication to this cause


It is bound to go viral


It does not violate Model Code of Conduct

 
It can be launched within 4 days  !

=======================================================================
18  March  2019

Rsvp :  hcp@RecruitGuru.com


Thursday 14 March 2019

Anti – Pollution Towers





Congratualations,  Smt Jyotsnaben  Mehta


[  BMC Corporator  /  Counsillor219.d@mcgm.gov.in
  ]




For what ?

For moving a notice of motion to set up Anti Pollution Towers in Mumbai to combat air pollution

(   Mumbai: In a bid to breathe clean, BJP corporator demands anti-pollution tower    )



While moving the notice, Smt Mehta said :


" Delhi and other states have already installed the anti-pollution tower that can remove nearly 90 per cent of the particulate matter ".


She added that the tower can clean air up to 3 km radius and over 75000 people will get clean air to breathe.



Has this been tried abroad ?

Yes

In Chinese city of Xian, a 100 meter ( 328 feet ) tall air filtration tower was erected last year . It consumes very little electric power and has managed to reduce pollution by 15 %



The full-size version could reach as high as 500 meters ( 1,640 feet  ) while the surrounding greenhouses could cover nearly 30 square kilometers ( 11.6 square miles ).







Any examples of this technology in India ?

 Yes

A startup named Kurin System in India has come up with plans for a "City Cleaner" that will be 40 feet tall and 20 feet wide on each side . It could purify 32 million cubic meters of air everyday  


As per the report, Kurin’s co-founder, Pavneet Singh Puri said that the new air purifier will scrub air in the vicinity of three kms and provide clean air for 75,000 people.


It will feature 48 fans to pull in the polluted air and push out clean air, which will run on electricity generated using solar panels. It will be constructed with locally sourced materials.


The company says that the air purifier tower can be completed within four months once the project gets a green light from the authorities and is expected to cost Rs 1.75 crores to 2 crores per tower






How many towers will be needed and what would these cost ?

Each tower ( of Kurin Systems ) claims to purify air in an area of 28.27 sq km ( radius of 3 km )


#   Delhi ( NCR ) , with an area of 1484 sq km will need at least  53 towers ( Rs 106 cr @ Rs 2 cr per tower )


#   Mumbai with an area of 603 sq km will need 20 towers ( Rs 40 cr @ Rs 2 cr per tower )


     Even if the claims of the tower manufacturers are exaggerated and the actual number of towers required is
     three times , the capital funds required are insignificant in the annual expense budgets of the municipalities


     This requirement of funds must be viewed in the context of BMC ( MCGM ) having a Fixed Deposit of Rs
    69,135 crores !



     
Where can these be erected ? 

Having a base of 20 feet X 20 feet ( = 400 sq ft ), these towers cannot be erected on the footpaths



Ideal places would be


#   Public Gardens

#   Compounds of Government Offices / Municipal Schools

#   Compounds of Residential Complexes  /  Co-Op Housing Societies





Can we think of offering any “ incentives “ to Resi Complexes / Housing Societies ?

If following incentives are offered , builders and societies will rush to set up such towers , in all the polluted cities :


[ A ]     Incentive by the Municipal Corporation

           #  No licensing fees for tower-sides used as hoardings



[ B ]    Incentive by the State Government

           #   20 % rebate from Property Tax payable by the Societies which put up such towers



[ C ]    Incentive by the Central Government

           #   No income tax on “ Adverising Revenue “ earned by the Housing Society, by renting out the sides of the
                Tower that can be used as HOARDINGS ( 20 feet wide x 40 feet tall )


                At present , in metro cities, road-side hoardings cost anywhere between Rs 30,000 to Rs 30 lakh per
                month to rent out . 



At these rates, Housing Societies can earn a very substantial monthly income by
               offering to rent out these towers – as with renting their terraces for mobile towers





  
If using towers as hoardings is commercially lucrative , why not Bombay Municipality do it on its own ?

Absolutely !  Why not ?





Can the tower manufacturers be motivated to sell these for FREE or for 50 % discount to municipalities  ?

Of course !

Just give them the advertising / leasing / renting rights , on the towers for 10 years – and no Income Tax


As simple as that . No other motivation required !




Why does this proposal needs URGENT / TOP PRIORITY examination ?


Just one look at the following statistics will convince you :


#   33 % of global edible food is wasted

#   56 % of such wastage happens in rich countries

#   Meat production currently uses 77 % of agricultural land

#   Agri production consumes 70 % of global water

#   8 million tons of plastic goes into oceans each year

#   Exposure to indoor/outdoor air and water 
pollution costs at least 9 MILLION lives annually


#   Top 10 % emitting countries emit 45 % of total global GHG emissions


#   Bottom 50 % emitters emit only 13 % of total global GHG emissions


#   Climate mitigation actions for achieving Paris Agreement target will cost US $ 22 trillion


#   Combined health benefits from reduced air pollution could amount to $  54 trillion


#   Air pollution causes 6 – 7 million early deaths annually



#   In India alone , some 12 lakh persons die an early death due to air pollution



#   15 of the top 20 most polluted cities of the World, are in India


#   In all the major cities of India, about 800 to 1000 tons of pollutants are being emitted into the air daily



=======================================================================
14   March  2019

Rsvp :  hcp@RecruitGuru.com