Did you know? today's news

All right, I am down with viral (no its not Swine Flu)...and not gathering courage to do something other than read newspaper. Did I tell you that reading newspaper was my favourite past time during work. Now I read it barely once a week.

Oh, during work means currently I am not working. I have shifted my base to IIM Calcutta...yay! First term is in progress and mid-term results are out. Results were a mixed bag so not taling about them ;)

So, umm....what should I talk about? My closest friend says when I don’t have anything to say I read out newspaper :P. Following are some observations from today’s newspaper (The Financial Express) and I want your views:

· NREGA will invest in increasing broadband reach in rural areas. Apparently, the broadband lines will require Rs 40,000 Cr. so to cut down the costs, govt. came up with the idea of digging up for broadband along with Prime Minister Gram Sadk Yojna. The idea will also help in diverting Rs 14,000 Cr from Universal Service Obligation (USO), meant for rural telecom and broadband, that were lying unused. Credibility claim: World Bank that says every 10% growth in broadband leads to 1% GDP gowth.

o Did you know: 80% of population is rural with 70% of total population earning less than Rs. 20/day. Since broadband will be expanded in rural segment, who will be able to afford it? Secondly, no info is present as to in which county or across which countries this World Bank survey was conducted?

· Draught is looming in India, Bihar being only state witnessing flood last year and draught this year. Government probably doing the right thing by not borrowing.

o Did you know: But why despite so many of years of proposal, no water management policy is implemented? Why do we need to rely on rains so heavily?

· SRK claiming all the misbehaviour at Nevark airport and getting strong media attention in wake of not much news to compete with Swine Flu.

o Did you know: ‘My name is Khan’ is due release in some time. Is it yet another publicity stunt?

· Simpler mining laws are coming in order to boost investment there. Environment Minister Mr. Jairam Ramesh too indicated earlier that environmental norms will be relaxed. May be his earlier ministry (Power) have a role to play here.

o Did you know: The so called policy ‘CREP’ is for cement & mining industry is optional for large firms to follow. The policy is not NOT applicable to small firms. Add to this, though 95% production of cement (which also require mining in case you don’t know) is through large firms, Out of 400+ cement firms, 75% are small firms. So in all, there is a policy that is not applicable to 75% of industry and remaining 25% can follow it optionally! Talk about making these laws simpler!

I am resting my case here as of now as health not permitting. Mind you! All these points are in only first three pages of newspaper. Info is there, we need to analyse it!!