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

Wednesday 30 December 2015

POLLUTION SOLUTION , aka " PollSolv "



It is said : Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Let us rephrase :  Essentiality is the Mother of Intervention

This is in response to Odd / Even driving rule being experimented in Delhi from Jan 1 2016

Equally applicable to any other city , threatened by vehicular emission pollution

This solution will be named : PollSolve

It will be in two parts , as follows :


#  VEHICLE BASED DEVICE


All vehicles (existing and future registrations) to be fitted with a GPS locator ( compulsory )

Each of this locator will carry Vehicle Number ( hard-coded )

A software in Delhi Transport Department , will then , be able to track in real time , movement of each vehicle ( 24*7 ) , on several computer screens

If a Odd numbered vehicle is travelling on Even date , it will show up as a RED colored dot on the screen and through linkage with RTO records ,an automatic alert will be issued to the mobile phone of the nearest Traffic Police to catch / stop that vehicle and take that vehicle, off the road !

The owner / driver can take it back after one week of grounding !

This technology is available , commercially and off - the - shelf

Should not take more than 6 months to implement




#  MOBILE BASED APP

Each citizen of Delhi will have to ( compulsorily ) download and install on his smart phone , an App called :  CarPool

He / she will enter following data in the App :

*   Name / Gender /  Aadhar Card No

*   Email Id / Mobile Number / Residence Address / Work-place Address

*   From / To ( in the morning ) / Starting Time of travel

*   From / To ( in the evening ) /  Starting Time of travel

*  If owning a vehicle , then :

    #  Vehicle type : 2 - 3 - 4 wheeler

    #  Fuel type     :  Petrol / Diesel / Electric

    #  Vehicle Capacity : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 persons ( including driver )

    #  Vehicle Number :

    #  Vehicle Registration Date ( to compute " Age " of vehicle )

    #  Serial Number of GPS locator fitted on vehicle ( must be unique / Mfrr to take care )

    #  CarPool Number (Unique Serial No allotted by App) : To be entered after joining a Pool


CarPool App will not accept the data ,nor get activated ,until Mobile Owner also keeps " ON "

the GPS location feature built into the phone

With this data , software will analyze / display , a list containing names / contact info of other citizens ( matched gender-wise ) , travelling on same , approximate " route " and the nearest pick-up points , on Google Map

Citizens will then contact other vehicle-owners and form a CarPool

Then , they will enter their CarPool Number ( as mentioned above )

The software will reanalyze / redisplay the list if any entered data gets EDITED later

After compiling data about ONE BILLION actual cumulative travels undertaken by each type of vehicle ( 2-3-4 wheeler ) , BIG DATA ANALYTICS software , will carry out ,

*  Millions of permutations / combinations of " Car Pool Universes " possible

*  Using ( updated version of ) " Karmarkar's Algorithm " , figure out the optimum Car Pool Universe which minimizes the overall pollution level in Delhi

    
 *  Calculate for each citizen , the " LEAST POLLUTING ROUTE " based on data compiled from the " Optimum Universe " and  send " Car Pooling Recommendation " to each citizen thru CarPool app
     
   

This could be somewhat like " Travelling Salesman Problem " in Linear Programming ( - improved versions could be found in Fuzzy Logic / Neural Network / Artificial Intelligence )


{ " Big data has the potential to make a huge impact on Public Services in India, as it will streamline the decision-making " : Stephen Brobst , Global CTO , Teradata Corporation }



Another suggestion :

If ODD / EVEN rule provides for 50:50 probability and reduces the no of vehicles on roads by 50 % , use of an algorithm which picks only 25 % of the car numbers from the database of cars , using a  RANDOM NUMBER TABLE , will reduce the vehicles on road to 25% !


And nothing " arbitrary " about a computer selection , announced 24 hours earlier !


This will eliminate the incentive to rush and buy a second car with either odd or even number !


Given the prevalent START-UP wave in India, any number of Indian Start Up companies would be happy to take on this " Two Part " challenge and implement in 6 months . 

It is the least expensive / permanent / replicable solution , suitable for the entire World

All that is required is a POLITICAL WILL and some genuine cooperation between Shri Gopal Rai ( Delhi Govt ) and Shri Nitin Gadkari ( Central Govt )


It is time to offer to the World , an INDIAN ANSWER to vehicular pollution

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hemen  parekh

31  Dec  2015

B2BmessageBlaster

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==============================================================

Added  on  22 Dec 2023 :


Google Maps is the de-facto navigation app for most people and it continues to evolve and add new features to make the app more enjoyable and user-friendly. Now, the search engine has introduced a new update to help commuters save more fuel. This latest feature is currently available across select countries and it is soon expected to be launched for Indian users too. It will help commuters pick alternative eco-friendly routes to help lower their car's fuel/energy usage and CO2 emissions. 

This feature is called eco-friendly routing and it works by showing fuel or energy-efficiency estimates on some routes based on the vehicle's engine type. Once this feature is turned on, Google Maps will show the fastest route, along with the most energy-efficient one, even if they aren't the same. However, if you choose to disable this feature, Google Maps will only recommend the fastest route, ignoring the fuel/energy-efficient option. 

"The Google Maps app shows fuel or energy-efficiency estimates on some routes based on your vehicle's engine type. The more fuel or energy-efficient the route, the lower your car's fuel/energy usage and CO2 emissions," a press note read. 

Google Maps Introduces New Feature To Save Fuel Costs. Here's How It Works

This new feature is called eco-friendly routing. (Representative pic)

Google Maps is the de-facto navigation app for most people and it continues to evolve and add new features to make the app more enjoyable and user-friendly. Now, the search engine has introduced a new update to help commuters save more fuel. This latest feature is currently available across select countries and it is soon expected to be launched for Indian users too. It will help commuters pick alternative eco-friendly routes to help lower their car's fuel/energy usage and CO2 emissions. 

This feature is called eco-friendly routing and it works by showing fuel or energy-efficiency estimates on some routes based on the vehicle's engine type. Once this feature is turned on, Google Maps will show the fastest route, along with the most energy-efficient one, even if they aren't the same. However, if you choose to disable this feature, Google Maps will only recommend the fastest route, ignoring the fuel/energy-efficient option. 

"The Google Maps app shows fuel or energy-efficiency estimates on some routes based on your vehicle's engine type. The more fuel or energy-efficient the route, the lower your car's fuel/energy usage and CO2 emissions," a press note read. 

Powered By
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Google explained that fuel-efficient routing uses artificial intelligence (AI) to suggest routes that have fewer hills, less traffic and constant speeds with the same or similar ETA. In India, the new update will also include fuel-efficient routes for two-wheelers in a bid to help even more people travel more sustainably. 

How to activate fuel-efficient routes

Activating this latest feature is easy. If the update is available at the location of the user, one has to open the Google Maps app, tap on the profile picture or initial, go to settings, and tap on Navigation settings. Then scroll to 'Route options', tap "Prefer fuel-efficient routes" to turn on eco-friendly routing. Then select your engine type, tap 'Engine Type' and choose accordingly. 

If you have a vehicle that has an internal combustion engine, choose between gas (petrol) or diesel. If you have a hybrid car, choose hybrid, or if you have an electric vehicle, choose electric. If you skip this step, the app will pick petrol as the default engine and offer alternative fuel-efficient routes. 

Post a comment"The most fuel-efficient route suggestion could be different based on the engine type. For example, diesel vehicles' relative fuel economy advantage is generally greatest in highway driving. Hybrid and electric vehicles tend to provide progressively greater efficiency in stop-and-go city driving and hilly driving environments where they can extensively use and benefit from regenerative braking," Google explained. 


Sunday 27 December 2015

BLUE-PRINT FOR START-UP NATION ?



Yesterday ( 27  Dec  2015 ) , in his " Man Ki Baat " address , with reference to planned launch of " Start Up India , Stand Up India " on 16 Jan ,  Shri Narendra Modi said :

#  DEFINITION  OF  A  START UP

"  If a youth conceives a new idea that can give employment to poor, that can be called a Start Up .

#  ACTION  NEEDED

The banks should help these youth and encourage them

#  INNOVATION  CULTURE

Be it manufacturing , service sector or agriculture, this new initiative will bring in new ideas, new ways , and new innovations

#   SCOPE

The scheme should reach out to the last person in the country

#   REACH

They are made for the poorest of the poor  "


No doubt , a great initiative

#   QUESTION

When finally announced on 16 Jan,will this initiative be BOLD enough to make a difference ?

#   ANSWER

It can be, if the concerned Minister will incorporate following suggestions sent , through

www.hemenparekh.in > Blogs

*   A New Economic Order / Start Up Act - 2015

*   Create Wealth to Create Jobs

But , if the Minister stays paralyzed by " fears of failure " , then expect a damp squib  !

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hemen  parekh

28  Dec  2015

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Saturday 26 December 2015

Kashmir Conundrum ?


They had said so  !

*     Congress veteran leader , Vasant Sathe was the first to say so

*     Next , Faroukh Abdullah had the courage to say so

*     A couple of years back , Prashant Bhushan hinted so

*     Had BJP won 500 seats in 2014 Lok Sabha elections , Narendra Modi could be saying so


But everyone does not have the political un-orthodoxy which Narendra Modi displayed while dropping in at Lahore , 2 days back , to wish Pak PM Nawaz Sharif , " Happy Birthday "


No doubt , if Mahatma Gandhi was alive today , he would have applauded NaMo !

Remember , after India won independence in 1947 , he had the moral courage to say :

"  Congress has fulfilled its mission . It is time to wind it up "

As to what solution they all had to offer for the 60 year old Kashmir problem , look up ;

www.hemenparekh.in > Blogs

and read :

#   A 100  year Stand-off ?....  ( 28  Sept   2013 )

#   A Contrarian View...........  ( 26  Oct   2013  )

#   Referendum  in  Kashmir ? ( 07  Jan  2014   )

#   The Bitter Truth............... (  07  June  2015 )


Will politicians on both sides of LoC , have the courage to tell their people :

"  Those billions of rupees that our countries are spending each year on our military build-up , must be used to build infrastructure and thereby , remove poverty / diseases from our lands  "

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hemen  parekh

27  Dec  2015

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Friday 25 December 2015

Is Uma Bharti helpless ?



She is Cabinet Minister for Water Resources / River Development / Ganga Rejuvenation

Immediately after taking over in May 2014 , she launched " Swatchh  Ganga " project

After struggling for past 19 months , Ganga continues to be as polluted as before

As it flows through the Northern States , thousands of factories continue to dump their untreated chemical effluents into it , despite laws prohibiting this

And hundreds of cities / towns , continue to discharge  their untreated sewage into it

I am sure , if she were to read following news report in Business Line ( 26 Dec 2015 ) , she would want to cry in anguish and even wonder :

"  Of course , democracy is a wonderful thing - provided

   *  MPs / MLAs server the interests of the people who elected them , whether they are in party of power or sitting in the opposition

   *  And the government officers / police were to enforce whatever laws exist and book the offenders, without fear or favor ( no " parrot in the cage " syndrome )

   *  And the Courts hear the cases and pass orders on the same day ( no dates )


But , if none of this is likely to happen in a democracy , can I have the powers of the Chinese Ministry of Environment Protection , which :

#  Received 12,369 telephonic complaints

#  Inspected 14 lakh companies between Jan - Sept ( 5091 per day )

#  Ordered 28,600 companies to suspend their operations ( 102 per day )

#  Shut down 17,000 polluting industries  ( 61 per day )

#  Found 46,800 companies discharging pollutants

#  Discovered 63,700 companies involved in illegal constructions   "


It is time citizens of India asked themselves :

"  To 480 million BPL ( below poverty line ) people of India , what matters more ,
    *  Right to vote / select , MPs / MLAs , once in 5 years ,  or

    *  Freedom from hunger and freedom from pollution / diseases ?


For a solution , read my blog " ROMP - a panacea ? " at www.hemenparekh.in

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hemen  parekh

26  Dec  2015

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Make    Yourself    Heard

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Thursday 24 December 2015

Ditch Historical Baggage !


In Aug 2015, SIDBI launched a Rs 2000 Cr " Fund of Funds ", to support Venture Capital Funds

By now, proposals from 24 VC Funds for an aggregate amount of Rs 930 Cr have been cleared

A report in Economic Times ( 23 Dec 2015 ) quotes Shri Mohandas Pai :


" If Rs 10,000 Cr is given as seed capital, it can enable at least 30,000-35,000 Start Ups with the multiplier effect in the next 5 years, with a total impact of Rs 60,000-70,000 Cr on the economy "


Now , what can Rs 20,000 Cr manage to do ?

Simple but compelling arithmetic !

If Mr Pai was our Finance Minister , he would :

*   Sell of 53 loss-making PSUs ( or at least close them down )

*   Save Rs 20,000 Cr of losses these PSUs have been making , year after year

*   Invest this Rs 20,000 Cr in " Fund of Funds "

*   Help create 60,000-70,000 new Start Ups

*   Add 700,000 new jobs ( @ 10 jobs per Start Up ? )

*   Boost economy by Rs 140,000 Cr ( Capital Output Ratio of 1 : 7  )

But , if we are really keen to help create millions of Start Ups to raise India's GDP from Rs 2 Trillion to Rs 10 Trillion in the next 10 years, then Rs 20,000 Cr just won't suffice  !

We would need Rs 20 Lakh*Crores ( 100 times more )

Not possible for Union Government to raise that kind of money - either by borrowing or by raising taxes

But not at all difficult for 3 crore tax payers , if we

*   Abolish Personal Income Tax

*   Introduce Black Money Investment SPVs

Read following blogs ( sent to all Ministers / Chief Ministers ) at ,

www.hemenparekh.in,

*  A New Economic Order / Start Up Act - 2015

*  Create Wealth to Create Jobs

*  Agenda  for  Reforms

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hemen  parekh

25  Dec  2015

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Make    Yourself    Heard

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