Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Friday, January 31, 2020

New transport policy in a month; to focus on innovation, reforms in public transport: Gadkari

31 Jan 2020 News : New transport policy in a month; to focus on innovation, reforms in public transport: Gadkari https://lnkd.in/fp4_MFS Extract : "Within a month, a new transport policy will be declared. We will promote new innovations and research and there will be provisions for financial support to players who want to bring new technology and innovation," Gadkari said at International Conference and Exhibition on Public Transport Innovation 2020 at Manekshaw Centre here ============================= Dear Shri Gakariji, It is , indeed very heartening that this policy will " promote NEW innovations and research " I urge you to consider the following : Transport : an Integrated Logistic Plan ? https://lnkd.in/fep8UKZ

Thursday, January 30, 2020

e-Governance issues can vastly benefit through application of Blockchain Technology

All over the world there is a growing realization that many e-Governance issues can vastly benefit through application of Blockchain Technology In India , under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology , a division known as " National Institute of Smart Governance [ NISG ] " , has come out with a draft paper on this subject Here are 12 issues where I suggest : > Function to be performed through e-Governance > Specific feature of Blockchain technology to be exploited > Examples of " Approach " to be taken in each case I urge Shri RaviShankar Prasad / Dr HarshVardhan , to ask NISG team to examine my suggestions MYBLOGEPAGE.BLOGSPOT.COM Time to Un-Block the Blockchain Technology

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Govt to hire communications agency to spread word on Census-NPR

28 Jan 2020 News: Govt to hire communications agency to spread word on Census-NPR Read more at: https://lnkd.in/evFNXxt ------------------------------- Extract : The Centre has decided to hire a professional communications agency for creating a buzz around Census 2021 and National Population Register (NPR) 2020 and bring about a behaviour change in the mindset of people across states and religions so they give enumerators accurate information. ==================================== On 24 Dec 2019, I sent following request for this step : I urge Shri Amitbhai Shah , to get this tabulation completed and then publish it in all the News Papers / Social Media web sites / all Central Govt web sites Such a COMPARATIVE TABULATION will remove all doubts / anxiety from the minds of the citizens re ACTUAL PURPOSE of each of these exercises Confused about CENSUS - NPR - NRC ? https://lnkd.in/fmMyfu5

Sunday, January 26, 2020

In China , CoronaVirus is spreading fast ; bad for public health

26 Jan 2020 In China , CoronaVirus is spreading fast ; bad for public health In India , Database Virus is spreading fast among various Govt Ministries ; good for Economic health . Following is a list of portals under development : [ A ].... Corporate Affairs Ministry > SPICe Plus ( Registration / Database of Companies ) [ B ]..... Ministry of Information Technology ( MeITY ) > Open Government Data Platform ( OGD ) [ C ]..... NITI Aayog > National Data and Analytics Platform ( NDAP ) [ D ]..... Minstry of Statistics and Programme Implementation ( MoSPI ) > National Integrated Information Portal ( NIIP ) > National Statistical Business Register I have a strong recommendation : PMO needs to urgently appoint an independent / non-govt , THIRD PARTY to evaluate: # Need for a separate / standalone PORTALS for each of these # If ye , then standardization of DATABASE STRUCTURE / DATA ACQUISITION - UP-DATION / SEARCH ENGINES / DISPLAY / SYNCHRONIZATION / MIRROR-IMAGING etc # Mechanism to avoid DATA DUPLICATION / OBSOLESCENCE Read : One Stop Shops ? https://lnkd.in/fG82b7D MYBLOGEPAGE.BLOGSPOT.COM One Stop Shops ?

Saturday, January 25, 2020

Draw up plan in a week to de-criminalise politics: SC to EC

25 Jan 2020 News: Draw up plan in a week to de-criminalise politics: SC to EC Read more at: https://lnkd.in/ftwXYFg ========================== Extract : The plea had drawn the top court’s attention to the fact that despite an earlier order asking the EC to highlight criminal records of all candidates in constituencies ahead of polls, nothing much had been done. ============================= Not all that difficult , given a full week ! Just let EC read : " Voters deserve to have full / authentic information about the contesting candidates MY BLOGS : ( 03 April 2016 ) { https://lnkd.in/fVCgCy6 } ( 18 Sept 2016 ) { https://lnkd.in/fuJijWb } { https://lnkd.in/fta2m-M }

Niti Aayog seeks Cabinet nod for battery push

25 Jan 2020 News: Niti Aayog seeks Cabinet nod for battery push Read more at: https://lnkd.in/fZ4aPCZ ==================== Extract : The Niti Aayog has sought Cabinet approval for a proposal to build up to 10 large factories that would get subsidies to produce lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. ===================== Hey ! Some 9 months ago, Eco Times reported : Centre to invite bids for 40GW battery plants Read more at: https://lnkd.in/faBwTXs ===================== 9 months to get a " CABINET NOD " ? Within a week of detection of the first case of CORONA-VIRUS, the Chinese Govt has broken ground to construct a 1,000 bed specialized hospital , within 10 DAYS ! Opeing on 3rd Feb ! Read : https://lnkd.in/fTun7eW

One nation, one road tax may soon be a reality

25 Jan 2020 News: One nation, one road tax may soon be a reality https://lnkd.in/fQjmWKp Extract : A group of ministers on transport set up by the roads ministry in 2018 had recommended a uniform road tax structure for vehicles across states and that the tax be charged based on the invoice price of a vehicle. For all personal vehicles, the tax should be 8% for a vehicle costing under ₹10 lakh, 10% for a vehicle costing between ₹10 lakh and ₹20 lakh and 12% for a vehicle costing more over ₹20 lakh ======================== Although this simplifies the current complicated road tax structure - and therefore, a welcome step , it won't help reduce traffic pollution problem , which is , far more URGENT and IMPORTANT issue That can only get solved by implementing : Transport : an Integrated Logistic Plan ? https://lnkd.in/fep8UKZ

Friday, January 24, 2020

Many among us have gone to Polling Booths for voting

Many among us have gone to Polling Booths for voting Occasionally , patiently stood in long queues Spent half a day in the process But for various reasons, nearly 30 - 40 % of our citizen , never go out to vote ! But it is possible to get them to vote if it can be done using a Mobile App , which , I called " VotesApp " https://lnkd.in/f_RaZw8 It is heartening that, without waiting for some GREEN SIGNAL from a Senior Babu , State Election Commissioner of Telengana , has initiated this revolutionary e-Governance Reform ! He deserves congratulations ! MYBLOGEPAGE.BLOGSPOT.COM First Step to VotesApp ? https://lnkd.in/fPWG6TU

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Is it possible to persuade the protesters of CAA to give up their agitation for a few hours

Is it possible to persuade the protesters of CAA to give up their agitation for a few hours , to listen to a possible COMPROMISE ? I think it is - if Shri Amitbhai Shah finds a few minutes to read my following suggestion - offering such a compromise In my following blog, I have prepared a COMPARATIVE TABULATION of , > Text / wordings of the CAA as it exists right now > Text suggested by me ( - which , I am confident, will overcome resistance to CAA ) Even if none of the Cabinet Ministers ( to whom , I am emailing this blog ) , bother to even acknowledge my email, I hope the CIVIL SOCIETY and the leaders of the Opposition Parties - and the TV anchors ? - will take time , to find FAULTS with my suggestions At least, that would mark the end of mud-slinging - and the beginning of a CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE MYBLOGEPAGE.BLOGSPOT.COM CAA Compromise : With Malice towards None

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

It is not enough to point out that MANI mocks the blind

22 Jan 2020 Can MANI ( mobile app launched by RBI ) , enable India's 12 million blind persons ( out of World total of 39 million ) , identify currency notes , where these notes , held 6 inches away from a smart phone ( loaded with MANI ) , speak aloud their correct denominations ? Going by those big advts in all national newspapers for past 3 days, it would appear so But before you jump to any conclusion ( obviously based on Advt text ) , I urge you to read this blog ( being sent to Cabinet Ministers / RBI etc ) - may be even try to download MANI ( from Google Store ) and compare your own experience with mine It is not enough to point out that MANI mocks the blind I have also offered an elegant solution ! Dear Shri ShaktiKant Das, [ RBI Governor ], I urge you to reach out to all the Institutions connected with blind people , forward my blog to all of them and request their heads to send to you their feedback Only then, you can come up with MANI V 2.0 MYBLOGEPAGE.BLOGSPOT.COM Is it me or the MANI ?

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Those of us who have purchased a " SWISS - ARMY - KNIFE

21 Jan 2020 Those of us who have purchased a " SWISS - ARMY - KNIFE " , always want to carry one on person , for availing its multi-functional uses at any time we need Functionalities of knife - scissors - screw drivers - nail cutter etc ........ Can we come up with a similar, single, Mobile App based, INNOVATION in respect of following different types of DATA in respect of 450 million UNORGANIZED workers of our economy ? # No need to file a separate annual Income Tax Return # Direct deposit of PF amounts into bank # Direct Benefit Transfer ( DBT ) to every Employer # Total number of employees in India ( category / region / industry ) # Employment Density ( Industry / Region / Skill wise etc ) # Net Employment Growth Rate ( monthly / Industry-wise ) # Data about those Unemployed # Overtime Statistics # Work-hour Analysis # Wage / Salary Rates - Industry/ Region wise # Compliance with laws # Job Market Forecasts ( region / industry ) # Demographic Profiles of employees # Per Capita Income Growth for persons using MAD app( YOY ) # Changing composition between Blue Collar/White Collar Here is : A Swiss-Army-Knife of jobs / employment

Monday, January 20, 2020

Bangladesh Says Regularly Submerged Silt Island Now Ready for Rohingya

20 Jan 2020 News : Bangladesh Says Regularly Submerged Silt Island Now Ready for Rohingya https://lnkd.in/f5dVuDg =========================== If this facility were getting financed / constructed by China , then , possibly it might not get called, REFUGEE CAMP As in China, which has put millions of Uighur muslims in concentration camps, it might get named, " Education Facilities " ! But then, all over EU, muslim migrants arriving from mid-east countries, are held in DETENTION CAMPS , pending either grant of citizenship or deportation to their country of origin And no one in India is bothered to speak about , either China or EU ! I had reported this one year ago in : Past-ly Jest : presently Just ? [ 24 Feb 2019 ] https://lnkd.in/fPmTUrh ===============

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Will the Modi government withdraw citizenship law under pressure?

19 Jan 2020 QUORA QUESTION : Will the Modi government withdraw citizenship law under pressure? =================== Hemen Parekh, Director (1990-present) Answered just now =================== I doubt if CAA will get repealed It is another thing that, if differently TITLED [ instead of calling it CAA , if it were called, RELIGIOUSLY PERSECUTED FOREIGN MINORITIES ( Grant of Citizenship ) Act ] , then no one might have objected ! But, even at this stage, it is still not too late for Central Govt to remove all that confusion surrounding CAA , by implementing my suggestion at : Confused about CENSUS - NPR - NRC ? https://lnkd.in/fmMyfu5 ============

Kishore Biyani sees a ‘Phygital’ future for retail

19 Jan 2020 News: Kishore Biyani sees a ‘Phygital’ future for retail Read more at: https://lnkd.in/fcybtgf ================== Extract : Biyani said , " traditional offline retailing and web commerce are not as distinct as they once were, with the odds shortening that the two channels to reach end consumers would head toward total convergence in the near future. " ======================= Those who wish to know how retail will morph in next 5 years, might want to look up " 3 Laws of E Commerce ", at : Missing the Woods for the Tree ? [ 12 Aug 2016 ] https://lnkd.in/fW9JvTH ====================

SC to examine plea for e-vehicles to replace govt fleets

19 Jan 2020 News: SC to examine plea for e-vehicles to replace govt fleets Hindustan Times / 18 Jan 2020 The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine a plea filed by NGOs Centre for Public Interest Litigation and Common Cause, and charitable trust Sitaram Jindal Foundation, seeking the implementation of a 2012 government policy mandating public transport vehicles and government fleets to switch to electric vehicles (EVs). ===================== Some 2 years ago, EESL placed an order for 10,000 Electric Car ( on TATA / M&M ), each priced at about Rs 10 lakh When the suppliers failed to deliver more than 500 cars after 2 years, that order got cancelled Replacing entire Govt fleet of 5 LAKH cars will cost EESL , Rs 50 Lakh*Lakh ! While welcoming the intention ( to change govt fleet to EV ), I urge the SC to read my 17 E Mails ( to EESL ) on this subject , ending with : Congratulations, Shri Saurabh Kumarji [ 13 Nov 2019 ] https://lnkd.in/fPB6nD7

Mumbai-Pune Hyperloop One Project Unlikely, Dy CM Ajit Pawar Throws Spanner In Its Works

19 Jan 2020 Dear Shri Ajit Pawarji, [ ] I just came across following news report : Mumbai-Pune Hyperloop One Project Unlikely, Dy CM Ajit Pawar Throws Spanner In Its Works --------------------------------------- I urge you to take a close look at the viability of this project , as also the ticket price for a one way journey between Mumbai – Pune When Govt finances are strained, we should not become victim of such fancy schemes I urge you to take a few minutes to read : Could Hyperloops be better ? https://lnkd.in/f5gd4vv Mumbai Nagpur Super Highway https://lnkd.in/fde3aKX With regards, Hemen Parekh Andheri – Mumbai

Saturday, January 18, 2020

In China, Birthrate Falls To Lowest Level In 70 Years

18 Jan 2020 News : [ A ] In China, Birthrate Falls To Lowest Level In 70 Years https://lnkd.in/f22cM9c Last year, there were 10.48 births per 1,000 people, the lowest birthrate since 1949 [ B ] China's per capita GDP crosses USD 10,000-mark for the first time Read more at: https://lnkd.in/f2tBDVE Extract : > Per Capita GDP In 1960 # China > $ 89.5 ............. India > $ 82.2 > Per Capita GDP in 2019 # China > $ 9,771 ............ India > $ 2,010 ====================== It is statistically established that rich people have fewer children ( on average ) . This could be the reason behind above-mentioned Chinese phenomenon We, in India , need to raise the per capita income of our people . That would bring down our birth-rate =======================

That would turn our " once-in-ten-year " CENSUS exercise into a 24x7

As far back as April 2019 , I had suggested to enable citizen to upload / edit their CENSUS / NPR data, online , using a Mobile App That would turn our " once-in-ten-year " CENSUS exercise into a 24x7 , automatic updating, by citizen themselves , without requiring any intervention by the Central or the State governments I had also pointed out the reasons why they would take this ( editing ) trouble Today's news reports suggest that this is under active consideration of the Central Government Ramification of this DIGITAL INDIA initiative are mind-boggling ! MYBLOGEPAGE.BLOGSPOT.COM Unprecedented Opportunity Seized !

Friday, January 17, 2020

From February, buy motor insurance only for the distance you plan to drive

17 Jan 2020 News : From February, buy motor insurance only for the distance you plan to drive https://lnkd.in/fXbjjte =================== Extract : How about getting an insurance cover for just the number of kilometers you wish to travel or for the exact number of days of your itinerary? The approved products include usage-based/pay-as-you drive motor insurance, health profile-based pricing, wearable fitness tracker, need-based health insurance and co-pay model, app-monitored diabetes and dyslipidemia management programmes. Artificial Intelligence -based applications have been also approved. “The pay-as-you-consume model will help us change this and charge premium based on kilometres utilised by the insured or the amount of time they intend to drive the car,’’ he added Tapan Singhel, MD & CEO, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, ==================== No doubt, Mr Singhel will appreciate : Transport : an Integrated Logistic Plan ? https://lnkd.in/fep8UKZ Pigovian Tax for Polluters ? https://lnkd.in/f6B2mrK

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Essentials of survival are : Roti - Kapadaa - Makaan

14 Jan 2020 Essentials of survival are : Roti - Kapadaa - Makaan Concerned industries are : Agriculture - Textile - Construction I hope the forthcoming budget carries stimulus for these BASIC industries How such a stimulus to the TEXTILE industry can create millions of jobs , is explained here I have no doubt that Textile Minister , Smt Smriti Iraniji will be able to persuade Finance Minister, Smt Nirmala Sitharamanji , to read this blog / email MYBLOGEPAGE.BLOGSPOT.COM Job Creation : Not a question of options

Sunday, January 12, 2020

To Understand Amazon’s Delivery Ambitions, Consider the Long Game

12 Jan 2020 News : To Understand Amazon’s Delivery Ambitions, Consider the Long Game https://lnkd.in/fZWduY5 ================================= Extract : > It entails Amazon taking greater control over the final mile of delivery from the warehouses of its merchant partners to the doorsteps of customers, > Keeping products out of its warehouses while still delivering them within two days reduces that congestion and can lower costs for Amazon. > Amazon could expand the services to any merchant selling anything to anyone. ======================================= Seems like Jeff Bezos got to read my following blogs : MA = DA x 4,000,000 ? https://lnkd.in/fitDeaU Bypass E : Go from D to F https://lnkd.in/fSzEhPJ Who needs Fulfillment Centres [ FC ] ? Not Reliance Retail https://lnkd.in/fS8yBkY