DK Kapila The Oracle

Loneliness  -  by Dinesh K Kapila . There is a context to each article a writer or a part time writer like me attempts. In this particular case, my mind – now is there such a thing – or brain in its idle moments has often ruminated over this.  By the way, the  world of fiction often deals with matters of the heart and brain, but then its all in the brain as we now know. Just what is this loneliness or being lonely or being alone, can we seek it out, should we even seek it out, can it be sought out atleast sometimes, I do not know. I do seek answers but as yet they elude me.   The context to this article, well, friends and colleagues often stating how lucky I am to be in Kashmir in cooler climes.  They know fully well I am alone here, but then as two relatives discussed with each other, one in his thirties and one in his forties, it only made me luckier !. How do I know what they spoke about, well strange is the world of relatives too, nothing can...

BTech (IIT), MBA (IIM) and Tomato Ketchup ! .                                                                       Dinesh K Kapila . Maybe or was it exactly thirty years ago (ok plus minus a couple of years)  I met a Senior Marketing Head of a very reputed shoe company.  As we talked we discussed the sales and achievements, the top honcho told us rather smugly the sales revenue had to increase, after all he was an IITian (an Engineer – that also in Electronics) as also a MBA from the IIM Ahmedabad. While I have no dispute with the company or its revenues, but what did jar was the reference to the engineering degree and its smug as...

Advertisements - Moulding Customer Perceptions – Their Effectiveness – A layman’s viewpoint .                                                                                                                                        Dinesh K Kapila Advertising as such is often criticised for embedding stereotypes, for crass commercialism...

Gender Equality – Which are the Behavioural / Cultural Traits which hold Back North West India? The Kapila Gender Sensitivity Test. By DINESH K KAPILA (On the Occasion of Women's Day - still working on it) North West India has some of the worst affected districts in the country as regards female foeticide and ranks quite low on female nutrition rates and other gender related issues. The Gender Eq uality Indices rank North West India uniformly low. Economists are of the view that this would ultimately impact adversely the socio economic development of the region quite seriously. But what does an average person in the towns and rural areas of North West India perceive to be gender related behaviour – how does he or she know which attitude or cultural trait is correct or wrong or needs to be rectified. Secondly, even the well to do segments of society in North West India are observed to mostly exhibit the syndrome of feudalism (Some call it the kakaji syndrome) and related to it...

Coriander – Really Required ?. Dinesh K Kapila My friend Nalin has commented on the price of the herb - Coriander (dhania), is reaching Rs 200/- a kg. The view is why are we focused on only the prices of potatoes and onions, coriander also counts. My sympathies with Nalin and the poor people who live off it but is the coriander really required. I say ban the coriander, for a number of reasons or atleast just ignore this strongly flavoured herb. There are a any number of reasons to ban it, the most important, now a days most cooks, whether at home or restaurants,  do not know how to use it, this herb is for use as a garnish, just sprinkle on a few before serving if you want. Also decide if the dish really requires the touch of coriander, to enhance its presentation or to enhance its flavour. This aspect is seldom considered by the cooks now. Instead they will cook and stew it along with the vegetables and just take away the flavour of the dish. I refrain from ordering ome...

I recently read about a NRI’s ranting against Air India, in fluent Punjabi he reportedly cursed and abused as only a NRI can in India or about India. Over a period of time I have repeatedly come across various articles on Air India’s poor services and disparaging observations about its cabin crew, specially the Air Hostesses. I am no fan either of its cabin crew, specially when they choose to chatter amongst themselves on long haul flights. If you get a rear seat, it can be bothersome if not irritating. However, I do believe that perceptions tailored by its state ownership have also caused prejudices to be aired periodically against the airline. Its part of the fair game to disparage Air India, as though on other airlines the passengers are being treated as royalty. The planes, the service, the timings, the levels of courtesy, the efficiency, it’s the done thing to criticise.   As one young girl who flies frequently told me, the air hostess on the Air India flight who served he...

Transfer and Farewell – From Shimla to Srinagar On Friday (19th July 2013) was given a farewell at Shimla. Now am in transit mode, mentally and physically, waiting for 23rd July to fly to Srinagar. Srinagar, the way things are panning out recently will be a challenge in all senses but that is a separate chapter. Right now I can reminiscence only about the slightly four plus years I passed at Shimla – the capital of a mountainous state at 7000 feet, the years have passed so swiftly . These have been happy engrossing years in which I have felt professionally enriched. It has been a pleasure to work with bankers and state government officers alike in HP, polite and very devoted and committed to their state even if perceptions may vary from us. One can learn how a State can develop on the social indices front by interacting with them. There were adventurous days also at times in these four years. I remember one snowy day paying Rs 500/- to a local guy, to drive my car essentially 5-6...