Prakash Shenoy's Diary

पश्चिम महाराष्ट्राने सहकाराच्या बळावर आर्थिक क्रांती घडवली. साखर कारखाने उभे राहिले, दूध संघ वाढले, सहकारी बँकांचे जाळे विस्तारले आणि गावोगावी रोजगार निर्माण झाला. मात्र, कोकण  नैसर्गिक संपत्तीने समृद्ध असूनही सहकाराच्या बाबतीत मागे राहिला. हा केवळ भौगोलिक प्रश्न नाही, तर मानसिकतेचा प्रश्न आहे.कोकणात आंबा आहे, काजू आहे, मासेमारी आहे, पर्यटन आहे, मेहनती लोक आहेत. मग सहकार का वाढला नाही? कारण इकडे एखादी व्यक्ती पुढे जात असेल, एखादी संस्था उभी राहत असेल तर त्याला हात देण्याऐवजी त्याचे पाय खेचण्याची स्पर्धा सुरू होते. गटबाजी, अहंकार आणि वैयक्तिक वैर यामध्ये सामूहिक हित हरवून जाते. शेतकरी आणि सामान्य माणसांच्या उन्नतीसाठी जिथे प्रशासन कमी पडत होते तिथे सहकार एक संजीवनी ठरला. विशेषतः पश्चिम महाराष्ट्रात सहकार जोमाने वाढला. तिकडे सहकाराच्या रोपट्याचा वटवृक्ष बनवला. कोकणात मात्र सहकार म्हणावा तसा रुजला नाही.  याचे मुख्य कारण म्हणजे कोकणवासीयांनी मानसिकता. ती बदलणे हे आजही आव्हान आहे. दुसरी महत्त्वाची बाब म्हणजे राजकीय इच्छाशक्तीचा अभाव. आपली राजकीय पकड मजबूत करून किंवा मजबूत करण्यासाठ...

मानवी संस्कृतीच्या आणि विचारधारेच्या विकासात विज्ञानाचे महत्त्व अनन्यसाधारण आहे. राष्ट्र उभारणीत तंत्रज्ञान जितके गरजेचे आहे, तितकीच एक विवेकी आणि अंधश्रद्धामुक्त समाज घडवण्यात ‘विज्ञान साहित्य’ महत्त्वाची भूमिका बजावत असते. सर्वसामान्यांसाठी विज्ञान म्हणजे अनेकदा क्लिष्ट, अवघड आणि आकलनापलीकडचे क्षेत्र वाटू शकते. परंतु, विज्ञान साहित्य म्हणजे वैज्ञानिक दृष्टिकोन आणि लेखकाच्या सर्जनशील कल्पनेचा सुंदर आविष्कार असतो. हा आविष्कार विज्ञान कथा, विज्ञान कादंबरी किंवा विज्ञान ललितबंधांच्या माध्यमातून व्यक्त होतो. यात अनेक सैद्धांतिक आधार असतात, त्यामुळे विज्ञान लेखकाची जबाबदारी अत्यंत मोठी असते. सर्वसामान्य वाचकांपर्यंत विज्ञानातील गुंतागुंत आणि त्यामागची सैद्धांतिक बाजू सोप्या भाषेत पोहोचवणे महत्त्वाचे ठरते. या अनुषंगाने अनेक लेखकांनी मराठी विज्ञान साहित्यात मोलाचे योगदान दिले आहे. ज्येष्ठ विज्ञान समीक्षक प्रा. रमेश देवधर म्हणतात, ‘भविष्यातील तंत्रज्ञानाचा वेध आणि त्या प्रगतीचा मानवी जीवनावर होणारा परिणाम, विज्ञान साहित्यातून अत्यंत प्रभावीपणे मांडला जातो.’ या साहित्याचे अनेक प्रकार पडतात. जस...

History Long ago when India was still under foreign rule, Indian social system was at all time low with its treacherous caste system. The caste system of Hindus made sure that only a minor privileged class receives all the education and riches of the business with a high level in society. While large masses of people known as backward classes have to spend their life serving these people with no education and poor earnings. This was such a cruel reality that it still exists in mind of these people today. The question is why such a large number of people remained silent through thousands of years and had no struggle at all against this injustice. Isn’t it their fault that they had not revolted against such people? The question remains unanswered. In fact today no one has daring to ask this question. He likely to be hurt by people whose interest lies in the politics of the caste system. Real Story Once an American friend of mine asked me a question. All over the world people are figh...

The usual suspects made the usual speeches on August 15, mouthing the usual pure cant. But the sad fact remains that 60 years after the grasping imperialists left, India has comprehensively under-achieved on all fronts; all that has changed is the skin-colour of the looters. Ten years ago, I was far more optimistic, and wrote about the coming Indian century; today, despite the obvious progress made on the economic front, I am overwhelmed by a sense of disappointment. I have been discouraged by what I have observed in the last 10 years. The loss of heritage. The disdain for indigenous civilisation. The perversion of the discourse in the country by Stalinist 'intellectuals'. The regular terrorist attacks that cheapen Indian lives. The total non-reaction by government to oppression of people of Indian origin abroad. And so I have come to realise that freedom is very different from mere independence. There is no freedom for the common man in India: not freedom from want, nor freedo...

The ICICI BANK, one of the largest bank in India with a still largest network of ATM centers. When this bank first entered in common consumer market I was amazed by quality of their service. The ATM service introduced by them was really a boon for consumers like us to get money anytime 24/7/365. This was new for us who were used to go to bank during working hours (taking a half day leave for the purpose), and then stand in long queues to submit withdrawal slips and to find that cashier have closed the counter for a lunch time, toilet break or just because he wants to take a nap. This all changed when ATM network is built up by banks which we never dreamed before though we knew such thing exists in western countries, I thought it will not be possible in India this fast, putting cash on road without getting looted. ICICI proved it a reality by successfully operating it throughout the country. Ever since the ICICI consumer base is gradually increasing and they are finding it difficult t...

I liked this article published on Rediff.com website. The author have pointed out exact points where India need to improve. Please remember that this author is a foreigner and written this article with his point of view. Original Author - Claude Arpi Many years ago a friend of mine wrote a book, The Wonder that IS India. Both of us have lived more for than 30 years in the Land of the Bharatiyas and share a love for this nation. When he showed me the manuscript of his book, I had pointed out that his representation of India was too rosy and suggested one more chapter -- 'The Horror that is India'. I think he did. I have the same feelings for India today: 95 per cent is good, but there are some aspects that I am still not able to swallow, even after all these years. I have listed ten of them. Even if it does not change anything, at least some of my frustrations will be released while penning them down. Before I begin, I must first say that during a recent visit to France, it was ...