Loud Thinking

Archive for February, 2015

How Delhi was conquered by AAM AADMI PARTY?

1.
Kejriwal’s Appeal

For a city whose elite has over time developed a sense of entitlement, even grandeur, Kejriwal’s ‘I-am-one-of-you’ image resonated, particularly in the aftermath of the Anna movement. And he played it to the hilt – muffler around his head, a simple red or blue pullover, pumping flesh while walking through crowds. This helped people recall his pitch against the prevailing beacon-flashing VIP culture of the capital.

2.
AAP’s Anti-Graft Credentials

The party’s 49-day govt in Delhi, dubbed by BJP as a ‘nightmare’, appears to have been a dream spell for many. Street-level corruption, such as police ‘hafta’ and extortion by MCD, had stopped during that short period, only to reappear after AAP exited. This experience cracked BJP’s traditional vote bank of traders and shopkeepers.

3.
Modi’s Aura Of Invincibility Punctured

He won the 2014 LS virtually on his own and delivered Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand to BJP. But the Delhi voter didn’t find him relevant to the day-to-day running of the state govt. While his monogrammed suit was seen as his ‘pro-rich’ bias, especially by the underclass, his silence on hate speeches by saffron hardliners had an unsettling effect on middle class voters. He also looked distant, possibly because of his security cover, which he cannot help as PM.

4.
Bedi Gamble Didn’t Work

BJP’s last-minute induction of Kiran Bedi as CM candidate — after the tepid response to Modi's Ramlila Maidan rally — was hailed as a masterstroke but it turned out to be a liability. Its Delhi leaders and workers had waited for 16 long years for the tide to turn in their favour. And when it did, they found an ‘outsider’ being foisted. On the ground, the BJP campaign was, therefore, dispirited. There was also talk of ‘sabotage’ by certain local party leaders.

5.
The Class Factor

While sections of the middle class and even the upper class might have supported AAP, the poor and the lower middle class voted overwhelmingly for it. The Congress vote bank switched to AAP almost en masse because of the latter’s sustained work among slum dwellers and its promise of cheap water and electricity.

6.
Minority Vote

Muslims seem to have switched from Congress to AAP in their belief that it was a better bet to defeat BJP. The Christian vote, too, seems to have gone to AAP due to recent attacks on churches.

7.
Poorvanchali Vote

A substantial number of Delhi’s rising aspirational have-nots — a section targeted by AAP — are migrants from Bihar and eastern UP. They are said to dominate at least 5 seats and could have an important presence in many more. AAP gave as many as 14 tickets to poorvanchalis compared to three by BJP.

8.
Unhappy Babus

Govt employees — not an insubstantial number in Delhi — were unhappy with the Modi sarkar, possibly for the wrong reasons. The new biometric attendance system that forces them to report for work at 9.30am or lose salary has been giving them grief. Babus were also alarmed by the buzz about retirement age being advanced by two years.

9.
Delay Helped AAP

AAP was down and out after the Lok Sabha polls. An election in Delhi soon thereafter would have almost certainly led to a BJP victory. But polls here were delayed by nine months, helping AAP to regroup and regain people’s faith.

10.
Targeting Kejriwal Backfired

By attacking Kejriwal, and calling him all sorts of names, BJP only helped in focusing the spotlight on him. In comparison, Kejriwal was restrained — he didn’t attack Modi or Bedi.

Feb 11, 2015 – at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln
Sri Lanka 279/8 (50 ov)
Zimbabwe 281/3 (45.2/50 ov)
Zimbabwe won by 7 wickets (with 28 balls remaining)
LIVE SCORECARD | TOURNAMENT HOME

Feb 11, 2015 – at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
New Zealand 331/8 (50 ov)
South Africa 186/8 (42/50 ov)
South Africa require another 146 runs with 2 wickets and 48 balls remaining
LIVE SCORECARD | REPORT | TOURNAMENT HOME

15 Year Old Sumail Hassan Bags $1.2 million in Dota 2 Asian Championship

Link:- http://propakistani.pk/2015/02/10/15-year-old-sumail-hassan-bags-1-2-million-dota-2-asian-championship/?utm_source=ProPakistani+Daily+News&utm_campaign=7e143c92b4-RSS_Email&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0d81c57e77-7e143c92b4-329138949

News regarding ingenious Pakistani doctors and engineers bringing laurels to the country is quite common. However, you don’t usually get to hear of Pakistanis doing just as well in the field of e-sports on a global level. 15-year old Sumail Hassan Syed from Karachi seems to have set the record straight in this regard by bagging $1.2 million in Dota 2 Asian Championship in Shanghai, China.

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”

—Eden Ahbez (1908-1995)
Musician

“The problem with winter sports is that — follow me closely here — they generally take place in winter.”

— Dave Barry

THE MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY: Harvard Business Review

February 10, 2015

Build Trust with Your Type A Boss

It’s not easy working under high performers. While Type A bosses are driven and successful, they’re also demanding and more likely to micromanage. But you can improve your relationship, and make your job more enjoyable.
Speak up. If you disagree about something or have other concerns, be direct. Show that you’re not afraid to voice opinions, and your boss will respect you.
Get to know your boss. Build an outside-of-work relationship by sharing some of your personal passions and goals. Do you both have kids? Play tennis? Finding similarities can help you two build trust.
Know that it’s not you. If your boss is piling more work on you and not giving enough credit, try to push your frustrations aside and ask how she is doing. Chances are she’s not trying to be dismissive; she’s just lacking sleep or has a big decision weighing on her.

Adapted from “Tips for Working Under a Type-A Boss” by Melissa Raffoni.

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take. Life is measured by the moments that take our breath away.”

— Hilary Cooper

“We are reminded how short life really is, and how we are just passing through. So, all the people you haven’t told you love lately, tell them, and live your days like you mean it.”

—Hal Sutton (born 1958)
American Professional Golfer