Lost in thoughts

Monday, March 21, 2011

Freakonomics - barbed wire, bricks and ....

Some portions of coastal Karnataka region have seen a sudden increase in the demand for barbed wires, bricks, cement etc. Why is this?

Let's know a little bit about this region---

The region is also communally sensitive. Communal violence is not uncommon, because of the substantial population of all major religions - Hindus, Christians and muslims. The region also borders the state of Kerala which is also a major trading destination of this region. BJP has captured majority of the seats in this region, thanks to the powerful trading community. Apart from trade, agriculture is a major occupation. Vast expanses of paddy and coconut fields are a pleasant sight to watch. People of the coastal portions of the state are traditional. Lot of Gods and temples are scattered around the region. The temple that stands out is of Lord Krishna in Udupi. Because of Krishna's love for cows, the region has lot of cows. Among the Hindus, its considered as a God like many other animals. This is the socio-econo-politico background of the region.

Back to the question - why an increase in demand for barbed wires, bricks and cement suddenly?

People have started constructing fences and compound walls around their paddy and coconut fields.

Why?

Not because of any danger of land sharks encroachments. But because of the fear of bulls. Bull attacks on the farm workers and owners are on the rise in the region. 2 of my relatives were injured in such attacks recently.

Why are bull attacks increasing?

The bulls are of no use, unlike their female counterparts - cows. Cows yield milk and via artificial insemination, can give birth to more cows. The bulls were traditionally either left free or sold to butchers who would send them across to Kerala where the demand for beef is high. Even the ones that were left free would have been taken by the butchers.

The ruling BJP has now become strict on cow slaughter ban. Trucks carrying cows to Kerala were seized. So the bulls are not killed. Many bulls are adopted by temples, but many more are free and on the run. These aggressive bulls are attacking humans and vehicles now. To protect themselves from these bulls on rampage, people are constructing fences and compounds around their lands.

Conclusion - the increase in demand for barbed wires can be attributed to the cow slaughter ban introduced by the BJP and enforced by local Hindu organizations.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

World of Bakras

@ 7:54 AM

Image source - Google Image Search

The shining Volkswagen Jetta stopped in front of the Jaggu's Dhaba. The new car with a Ganeshji's sticker caught the eyes of the Dhaba owner, Jaggu. He immediately dusted the tables and took away menu cards from the tables. Jaggu took special interest in serving the Jetta family. 40 minutes later as the family left the Dhaba, Jaggu smiled and thought - "what a fool, he paid Rs 30 for a roti which is actually Rs 15. Long live these rich Bakras."

Jaggu entered the village's cloth shop. Ramu kaka greeted him and showed Jaggu a host of new fashion dresses. Jaggu selected a garment for each of his 3 kids. As Ramu kaka packed the garments and Jaggu moved out of the small shop, a smile escaped Ramu kaka's lips - "what a fool, he paid Rs 200 for a dress worth Rs 150. Long live these rich Bakras."

Babu's day was coming to an end. His vegetable cart was almost empty when Ramu kaka approached him. Ramu kaka bought few of the vegetables and fruits. Babu was a happy man at the end of the day - "what a fool! He paid Rs 30 for a kilo of potato which is Rs 20. Long live these rich Bakras."

As a happy Babu moved his cart in the night, Karim came to him. The footpath vendor of plastic items said "This is the last piece of aeroplane I have. Take it to your son. He will like it." Babu was tempted and after a few more marketing statements, Karim had sold the plane to Babu. Karim was proud of his marketing skills. He thought "what a fool, he paid Rs 20 for a toy worth Rs 15. Long live the rich bakras."

Karim was in city to buy the new set of items for his footpath stall in the village. He went to big market stall. The shabby dress of Karim instantly indicated that he was a small village vendor. The market stall owner sold a lot of new plastic items and toys to Karim. After the billing, the market stall owner was a happy man. As Karim walked past his shining Volkswagen Jetta with Ganeshji's sticker, the owner smiled and thought - "what a fool these villagers are! He paid Rs 15 for a toy worth Rs 5..Long live these poor Bakras."

Saturday, March 05, 2011

Change

@ 7:01 AM

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton Season 2 edition 18; the eighteenth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

Charges on fuel increased regularly.

Hike in personal income slowed down.

Assessment of account statement mandated change.

Not using the car was an option.

Go green & save money went hand-in-hand.

Enthusiatically walked to the bus stand.

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Where are you?

@ 7:46 AM

Just remembered an incident.. Happened with a friend of mine..

Mr A was planning to visit the house of Mr B.

A was new to the city. B had given sufficient instructions on the route to be taken.

A was on the way and got confused about the route told by B. He calls B and asks for clarification.

B: where are you man?
A: I don't know..lost my way.
B: is there a coffee day around or a Ganesh bakery or Tripthi bar?
A: No man..can't find any of them. I am standing in front of some stray cows..now tell me the route.
B: what...Hmm..and laughs..

A finally reached B's home, both laugh over a cup of coffee.