Month: February 2016

US and World Economy

So once again, US and World Economy is under dark clouds. This time, it’s not US per se, the engine of World economy, but multiple intermediate blocks that have a high potential for creating serious dips along the global supply chain for the coalescing one village economy.

Chinese economy is down for multiple reasons (read McKinsey’s glaring report in their recent article), Multicomponent European Union, BRICS, Asia Pacific-Oceania and NAFTA all have discouraging, if not overtly negative news.

In EU, major players Germany, UK and France are-already reeling under serious GDP decline, while others are sagging the Euro down for some time now. Oceania, with reference to Japan, NZ and some extent Australia are not showing impressive trend lines and amongst the BRICS, Brazil and Russia, (China is already mentioned) are significantly impacted, just with a glimmer of hope from South America and a shining armor from India.

A strong and resurgent dollar is no good for US, as it helps to magnify the increasing trade deficit gap with trading partners. There are several signs of US economy having bounced back, but there is a lurking fear of deep seated impact of constitutive easing. A solid indicator is job market and the unemployment is significantly low, as close to pre-recession and the housing index (new and old) are both strongly supportive along with several other zig saw pieces that support the current economic buoyancy. Foremost amongst that is the Obama strategy with a realization that the emerging world order has multiple players and a self-committed urge to stay away from large scale confrontation and military expeditions. That’s a trillion dollar saver!

Yes, war’s boost economy but they consume current, life and create hatred plus reactionary self-assertion.  Finally, policy executioners might have realized the cost benefit ration and the folly of using war for promoting economy.

How far will it help US and Global Economy? Well, unlike the 2008-2012 major recession where the Engine stalled because of subprime and other defaults, this time around the train may be stopped by  the intermediate compartments.

(the above was written on Feb 27, 2016 and uploaded in Oct 2016).

Is Russia responsible for Kalashnikov related deaths?

Is Russia responsible for the Kalashnikov perpetrated violence? Ok, the other way round, is US responsible for the advanced military technology that perpetrates violence? Again, I am not suggesting, just asking questions. Link below references to above questions.

Indian components used in IS explosives: report : http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/indian-components-used-in-is-explosives-report/article8281293.ece

As we evolve while these experiences with violent struggles are unfolding, we will realize, chain of custody is fundamental ethical concern to ownership.

(The above was writen on Feb 25, 2016 and uploaded in Oct 2016).

How ‘black money’ saved the Indian economy

BBC News: How ‘black money’ saved the Indian economy
A few years ago, he proposed that instead of both bribe-givers and bribe-takers being held criminally responsible for their actions, only the bribe-taker should face sanctions.
 It is a simple change, but radically alters the relationship between the two parties.
It means people who give bribes no longer have a shared interest in keeping their nefarious activity secret.  Freed from the risk of prosecution, bribe-givers would have a powerful incentive to reveal corruption.
How ‘black money’ saved the Indian economy
(the above was written on Feb 21, 2016 and uploaded on Oct 2016)

Zika, should we be scared?

When Europeans invaded Latin America, endogenous population got a whole of new world bacteria and viruses along with them. Europe was considered very filthy by most historian when compared to Asian or Latin American continent. More so, close proximity of Spain to Morocco/ Algeria, and Italy and Greece to Libya provided an easy access to a swath of bugs from the African continent, just because these geography had optimal conditions for growth and living.

Despite the hype and scare, I believe, we should be able to handle it with minimum morbidity or impact –
1. As you might have seen from my BBC clip, we may have Zika in our population. If that’s the case, we may have the required immunity
2. India is way ahead in its drive to produce the vaccine, even ahead than developed world countries like US.
We have to understand the history of this continent, they are often isolated from most infections. When Europeans invaded Latin America, they brought along with them, a completely new set of bugs (bacteria and viruses), which the endogenous population was never exposed to. Lack of exposure created lack of herd immunity. Europe, during those days, was considered very filthy by most historian as compared to Asian or Latin American continent. More so, close proximity of Spain to Morocco/ Algeria, and Italy and Greece to Libya provided an easy access to a swath of bugs from the African continent, just because these geography had optimal conditions for growth and living. All sorts of creatures existed and spread out from from here. I am sure, Zika too might have arisen here. It will be no surprise if African or Asian continents have minimal morbidity or impact, I mean minimal,not zero.
Not to forgot, when Europeans invaded Latin Anerica, they brought a lot of infections and the endogenous population lacked herd immunity and were wiped out in big numbers.