Net-Neutrality to be continued...

Net-neutrality is a principle coined by Tim Wu, Columbia University, which states that the internet service providers should treat the content, application or web services equally, there should not be differential treatment in any way on the basis of content.

‘Free Basics’ an initiative by Facebook, which purports a free internet to reach poor users is banned in India. A similar initiative by Airtel called ‘Airtel Zero’ was also condemned for its differential treatment for the content on internet. Many intellectuals have been at loggerheads on the pros and cons of these marketing strategies by the giants. TRAI even asked the Indians their opinions and people voted for a neutral net. Finally TRAI considered both of them a threat to net-neutrality and imposed a ban on ‘Free Basics’.

‘Airtel Zero’ was a plan to work by asking marketers or application developers to register to them for which they might have to pay an amount and in turn the users or the customers would use the application on internet for free. ‘Free Basics’ a new name for internet.org, was about to work on the similar lines, however the only difference in their way of marketing was keeping ‘Free Basics’ free for application developers and  customers, it seemed a win-win platform for both the sides at prima facie.
 

But there are two sides to every coin, let’s try to understand how it was beneficial for the users and customers. ‘Free Basics’ kept it clean by allowing marketers to register to them for free and also thought of user welfare, making a free content available for a poor mass, who could have not afforded an internet. ‘Airtel Zero’ and ‘Free Basics’ seemed a perfect suit for the ‘Digital India’ initiative, which envisages Indians, even the most unprivileged ones using internet to get exposed to opportunities online. They also appeared to boost the ‘Startup India’ initiative, by turning to be a boon for startups, as startups need publicity the most and could have helped them compete the rivals effectively.

 

But these plans were not beneficial for the marketers not registered to them, these marketers would have faced extreme difficulty in their business and would have finally found refuge in registering to them. In this way it could have overtaken the internet. Though ‘welfare’ is what ‘Free Basics’ proposed, there was huge mass they pointed to, and more publicity for the advertisements they offered.

 

Internet neutrality was a certain threat in this case, it not only could have gulped the market of those not in support but also have had an extra user base on its way. The benefits it offered could also not be neglected and could be contemplated if it proves to be impartial. 

Contemplating 'The Odd-Even Scheme' in Delhi...

 

Road-rationing had been implemented in some countries like Mexico, Columbia, Chile, Brazil, France and China to curb pollution. In 1989, Mexico introduced "hoy no circula" which  roughly means "today [your car] does not circulate", Beijing introduced odd- even scheme and claimed that vehicular emissions reduced by 40 percent. Expecting the same results Delhi’s CM Mr. Arvind Kejriwal promulgated “The Odd- Even Plan” to control the ever increasing pollution, which saw active participation by Delhites.

According to this plan odd-numbered cars ran on odd days and even-numbered cars on even days. Two wheelers, CNG vehicles, women, VIP’s etc. were exempted under the plan. To contemplate its effectiveness we need to first understand the causes of this extreme pollution in the capital. Pollution is the deterioration of air by particulate matter (PM) which comprises of aerosols, ashes, smoke, smog etc. PM 2.5 can easily penetrate through your respiratory system, which not only causes hazardous diseases but also leads to the birth of premature babies. Vehicular-emissions obviously is one of the causes but is not the only cause. Many industries and factories add to the pollution, fireworks in Diwali and bonfires in winters, deforestation to urbanize and industrialize the capital are also some of the causes. Road-rationing, checks on industries, educating people, afforestation and developing new technologies to control pollution, steps in this order can be taken to solve the problem.

Odd- Even scheme imposed in Delhi has helped to some extent curb the PM 2.5, despite a long list of exemptions. But it has fulfilled its motives by introducing lots of insights to be examined before its complete promulgation. For instance pollution reduction by 25 % an insight to check if the exemption of 2 wheelers, which contribute to 30 % of air pollutants a good choice, congestion control and time-saving while travelling is another good insight to keep this formula active with some improvements, inconveniences to the commuters and recommended solutions for it, although this was taken care of by the government by adding 3000 buses to its bus force. These all insights will certainly help the authorities take calculated steps to control pollution.

Finally, some cognizance among the public is required to keep trust on the government and also understand their duties towards a healthy environment. Many of them talked about the inconvenience caused due to the plan but isn’t some inconvenience welcomed for a better tomorrow. Bonfires and fireworks, despite extreme pollution levels is no intelligence. On the top of it forwarding messages on WhatsApp as below:

“What happens to a person going for movie at multiplex during last show at 10 pm in Delhi and is supposed to return at 1 AM. Which numbered car does he drive odd or even?

Next IIM or IAS question”

Though joke!! But jokes make more sense if the joker understands the context properly. Odd- Even plan was in place from 8am to 8pm from Monday to Saturday.  

Thinking to Manifest Change....

We lead a life that is manifestation of our thoughts, if you are a lawyer, an HR or an engineer you had thought about it sometime in past. Thinking is the first step towards becoming something. If you think robbery is a bad trait you become averse to robbers. If you think you want to be an entrepreneur, congratulations! you have taken first step towards its manifestation.

Thinking has the power to make you successful in life. When you think about achieving something and you believe in it, you start working towards it, you do not let any stone unturned to make it possible, that is because you thought of it, you think it is possible. For instance, Thomas Edison thought of 'light'. He imagined the steps he could take that will make it possible. He kept trying and made it possible. Had it been possible if he had not thought of it?

Thinking also defines personality traits. If you think having a cup of tea early in the morning, charges you for the whole day, you tend to act like that. However, there are many people who stay charged throughout the day without having a cup of tea. This brings us to an interesting theory: 'Thinking to Achieve'.Thinking to achieve is a practical implementation of thinking to achieve something in life,for instance if you think and believe eating rich food makes you obese, you will avoid it. If you think exercising makes you healthy, you will find out ways to take out time from your busy schedule to exercise. All is about what you think and believe and how much is your intensity towards it. To make things possible you should not have doubts on your capabilities, you just need to think positively every time.

 

Reading good books, learning from the people who inspire you, and having a confidence on yourself are some factors which influence your thoughts. Thus your thoughts are always under your control. You can control what you think and thus you can achieve anything in life.