Flash Boys

Just finished reading the latest work by Michael Lewis - lived up to the expectation.

Wallstreet jocks continue to be at it - wonder if there is ever an end ..probably not. We will continue to see "innovations" that will be in the "interest of the client" while the regulators are always trying to catch up. Occasionally, the "principled" characters expose the dirty linen but the institutional linkage with the government will keep the ball rolling.

While the world was reeling in the GFC, the HFT guys were having(continue to) a party. In the same vein, as the investors now realize the deal of microseconds, I wonder what's the new play being employed. The smart brains i'm sure have concocted the next game-changer working around the regulations.

Thomas Pikkety and Taleb in the queue next - former an electronic version and latter the paper. Think i'll go with the latter.

"Songs stuck in the head"

An earworm, sometimes known as a brainworm,[1] is a catchy piece of music that continually repeats through a person's mind after it is no longer playing.[2] Phrases used to describe an earworm include musical imagery repetition, involuntary musical imagery, and stuck song syndrome.

Happens with most of us...at least for people like me who are highly distracted. From last evening, that bloody "paani paani" Honey Singh song is stuck in my head(ok don't judge me, or, you know what, go right ahead!) and I am getting pissed off!

Couldn't get rid of it during an exec meeting today...have struggled through this problem as a student during exams - especially when i was trying to solve a problem. I will confess that earworms have troubled me even during interviews!

Eight tracks that have earworm'ed me the most (dare not list more with the risk of enduring them again)

1) "Call me maybe"
2) "Lungi Dance" (Bollywood)
3) "Who let the dogs out"
4) "Gangnam style"
5) "Baby doll" (Bollywood)
6) "Happy"
7) "Titanium"
8) "Paani paani" (bollywood)

How does one get rid of earworms - apparently by taking up a task that engages your brain for a level of challenge. But the trick is to not pick up something too complex, allowing the tune to make it's way back in to your head. Solving anagrams is supposed to help . Alternatively scientists claim, it helps to find a place where one can sing the song loudly - I don't think this will help or is even possible in most of our daily lives!

I'm experimenting with posting a blog in the middle of work - hope this works!


(Think it just did....)

Indian Elections!

A single party with absolute majority - first time in the last 30 years. Goodbye to coalition politics, compromises, divisive agendas. All the past governments were focussed on holding on to their seats rather than focus on delivering the mandate.

Why does the outcome make a difference

1) India was on the cusp of a civil break down - maybe an extreme view - but the frustration of the people was crossing the tipping point. I am glad that the faith in the democratic system is restored and the country can still hope for a change. Now it is up to Modi to deliver - not an easy task considering the mess that the previous rulers have left behind.

2) End of  dominance of the first family and an uninspiring leadership. This will set the tone for the coming years, not just this election but in future as well

3) Hope is a big thing - and that's precisely what the elections have brought back to the country. Hope can go a long way in turning things around and rooting out corruption.

4) Restoration of the trust deficit - which has seeped into all layers of the society. It will take a while to be restored ; we may still need to pay bribes to register our assets, we may still see power cuts due to inefficient planning, we may still see bad infrastructure - but we will be patient this time around because we hope that all of this will change in the visible future.

5) Calling out of the "Aap" tards - They should have delivered in Delhi before going national.  They have played with the trust of the nation who saw a glimmer of hope when they came to power.

Now what next

1) Stoking the economy towards growth - the markets have clearly shown their support. Will have to see how long this will hold. It is paramount that inflation is reigned in and reforms are brought in multiple sectors. Demonstrated value add and exits will bring back a lot of investments to the table. Red tape clearance across the country will take a while - but this is where the absolute majority helps as the government no longer needs to turn a blind eye in some states.

2) Can the Gujarat model be replicated around the country - eagerly waiting to see how this will turn out. I have personally not visited Gujarat but going by the opinions published, it is clear that the state has transformed. Infrastructure around the country needs a huge boost - quick clearances, decisions and project completions are the need of the hour.

3) Foreign relations - I am not an extremist, but i believe that the nation has needed an authoritative leader who will not be messed around with. It is important that the neighbouring states as well as China and the US do not view the leader of India as a puppet (as was the case in the last decade), but a leader who will react in the interests of the country.

4) Good governance - I have friends who have joined the public services (IAS/IPS/IRS etc) and i know these guys are amongst the smartest and the most capable. I hope that the new government will recognize the capability and allow them the freedom to bring in the transformation. I was glad to hear Modi's pitch on delegation and team work. Leave it to these smart guys and they will deliver.

5)Inclusive growth - This indeed is the biggest challenge facing Modi. Vajpayee government lost out in spite of good performance because the majority of the "voting class" felt otherwise. Performance of the incumbent government has been so poor in the past few years, i wonder if any class of the society has been spared of frustrations. Biggest contributor being the inflation and meteoric rise in the cost of daily food. Dal (Lentils) at Rs 95 (2$)/kg , Onions at Rs 60 (1$)/kg and rice (don't remember the price points), but these essentials for an indian household had gone by up by almost 40-50% which derails the household economics. Modi's government will have to ensure that all the crappy dole outs in the name of "mnrega" or whatever are reviewed strictly and the objective is oriented towards moving people out of poverty.

In summary - faith has been restored in the system.

The last time i saw the country in joy was during the 2011 World cup victory. It's that same feeling again today.

Hope they just don't mess it up now!

Cheers to India!