If we blame the system, do we act responsibly either?

How many times have you found yourself in a discussion that criticizes 'the system'? System for most part is some kind of 'Invisible evil' that is made the root cause of many a problem .Unless this evil monster does not transform to a benevolent monk, things will remain horrible.

Now think of what constitutes the system in such discussions. Well the legislature, executive, judiciary, and at times the Media. We citizens by virtue of being very nice ,we are surely excluded from this malfunctioning 'system'.

So why this diatribe? Here's the story:

Recently a subset of the alumni of a prestigious (top 20) engineering college in India engaged in an online discussion forum. An alumnus inquired if he could potentially smuggle a laptop from USA into India. He got within a few hours replies from 4-5 other alumni that he should be prepared to bribe the custom officer about USD 40 in case they find out that he is carrying the goods. He also got tips on which port of entry would be the safest haven for this endeavor to succeed

It turns out that the legal way to carry an electronic device is to pay a custom's duty which is about 40% of the excess cost of the laptop computer if it costs more than Rs 25,000 ( 500 USD). So for a 800 USD PC the duty is about 120 USD.

This is not too much money for this group, most of whom ( who responded) earn a dollar salary. My question is why couldn't someone say just pay the duty. That is how the government earns revenue. Maybe at 920 USD the machine is still cheaper than it is in India. And if it isn't heck buy it in India. If every Indian arranges to get a laptop computer smuggled from USA because it is cheaper, what happens to the laptop market in India.

The same argument holds when people cringe about paying income taxes. It is the people with most high paying corporate jobs who own houses evade income tax with fake rent receipts. And then blame policies for why the country is poor. Blame the cops for taking bribes.

I am amazed that these 'people like us' who criticize the system at every given opportunity fail to recognize that we are failing it. In other words we want our rights but are not willing to perform our duties to earn these rights.

Jhola is Back: Udipi at Devon Ave will never be the same again

Jhola signifies rebellion. Not rebellion without a cause though. So even though I continue my random ruminations at my blog
I believe for certain cause related activism Jhola will remain the place.

So Devon Avenue is a highly recommended street for people in and around Chicago. Especially if you are a Desi grad student it becomes second home. From Parle G biscuts to Shahnaz hussain' beauty products, from Dosa to Pan think of anything remotely Indian you have it at Devon

However one of the more undesirable fixtures is the Udipi Restaurant. This place is a confused mix of which culinary identity to establish - the naan and dal makhani - or the sambhar bhaath. The result is a coconut-ish karahi panner, a chapati that is ridiculously leathery and an Utthapham that has green peas!

Add to that the waiter who slams the cheque on your table when you are midway eating and could consider a desert ( not after the ridiculous food). And then as soon as you pay the check tells you that they are closing so ....! And its only 10 ish and there are other guests at the table

Devon has Sabri Nihari for delectable north Indian fare, mysore woodlands for those who seek idli and its cousins!
Despite whatever yelp may say - Avoid Udipi at all costs