STRESS AND SLOW DOWN

Stress is double edged knife. According to studies if it is with in limits the productivity is increased, if it reaches peak it has negative effect on health and productivity of individual and ultimately the companies will suffer its productivity. If it is taken care of by exercise and meditation stress can be controlled but unfortunately many people resort towards smoking and alcohol and go to pubs and discos. The recent slow down has a ramification on employees stress level because of fear of pink slips, overload of work, financial problems and not coping up with office and house problems.
A national-level Corporate Wellness survey, conducted by the Apollo Hospitals group in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has revealed that the slowdown-induced stress levels have hit 50.52 per cent of the employees. The sample survey is not a small one. As many as 2.29 lakh employees across 581 corporates, spanning both manufacturing and services sectors, in about 32 cities and towns were covered in the survey for 2008-09. Apollo hospital had done a similar study a decade ago, covering 100 corporates and 15,000 executives in the six metros.
While ‘overall stress’ level had gone up to 50.52 per cent from 39 per cent in 1998-99, work stress shot up to 20.19 per cent (3.40 per cent), home stress to 19.33 per cent (1.62 per cent) and daily pressures from 8.84 per cent to 16.71 per cent.
The survey found that 48.46 per cent of all the employees were ‘physically unfit’ (which reflected their inability to carry out certain physical activities they were expected to do in their age group).Though alarming still, the figure marked an improvement over the 54.80 per cent registered in the earlier study. Those in the ‘overweight’ category came down to 32.52 per cent from 70.98 per cent. In 2008-09, about 41 per cent of employees admitted that they did not do any physical exercise

“The good news is that there is a marked increase in physical fitness. But the bad news is that stress levels have gone up to alarming levels,” Prof Adrian Kennedy of Lifetime Wellness Rx International Ltd, an Apollo Hospitals initiative, “The stress levels have gone up as a result of the global slowdown and business competitiveness. The methods of relaxation too are changing more in favor of avenues like pubs,” he said.
The response from the corporate world is lukewarm. About 70 per cent of organisations do not provide for wellness facilities. Only 30 per cent offer medical checks to their staff,” Prof Kennedy

What are answers?
Companies should provide fitness facilities to the staff, so that they can relax, yoga and meditation and physical exercise is most important.
There should be time gap for relaxation.
Companies should not overburden the staff with work.
People should be motivated and counseling should be down.
In the world of competition, people should prepare for “rainy days” so that they can not over stress their financial limitations.
Save money for difficult days.
Listen spiritual discourses.

LALU PRASAD YADAV,CEO,RAILWAYS: MANAGEMENT GURU
Ever one remembers Sri Lalu Prasad Yadav with Fodder scam and poor administered Bihar. He is remembered for his wit and brushing his teeth with “neem stick” and milking the cow on the backyard of his house. But he is one of the ministers every management institute knows all over the world. The CEO of Railways Lalu has done wonders to the railways. The white elephant become profit making golden goose, the railway stations are clean and many amenities were provided to the Passengers. When Yadav took over, the Indian Railways was a loss-making organization. In the 4 years under his leadership, a cumulative total profit of Rs. 25,000 crore (US$ 5.2 billion dollars) has been reported
Ironically, the Rakesh Mohan Committee in 2001 (headed by Rakesh Mohan, secretary, department of economic affairs) had termed The Railways a 'white elephant' and predicted that it would suffer a Rs 61,000 crore (US$15.4 billion dollars) loss possibly ending in bankruptcy by 2015.
Yadav is now credited with engineering the financial turnaround of Indian Railways that was on the verge of bankruptcy before his appointment to the office. He left passenger fares untouched and found several other profitable sources of revenue for the Railways. He also improved on his first year's performance by stating a profit of 14,000 crores with decreased freight and unchanged passenger fares in 2006. Then, in the 2007 budget, he increased the profit level to 20,000 crores with the introduction of cushion seats in all unreserved compartments. In 2008, profits were 25000 crore (equals $ 6.25 billion @ $1~Rs.40). This confidence is not only due to the rising trend of performance, but also due to the significant growth in the past two years. These two years coincided with Mr. Lalu Prasad being at the helm of affairs of the IR, having moved into his position on 23rd May, 2004.
Every one in the world appreciated Lalu and many Management institutions started beeline to hear his management mantra. IIM Ahemadabad has done special study ‘Turnaround’ of Indian Railways: A Critical Appraisal of Strategies and Processes” during 2007 it mentioned in the paper that “The operationalisation of the various strategies over the past two years depended significantly on the leadership style of Mr Lalu Prasad. It was a common sense based approach, showing an astute understanding of the market reality, the asset base of the IR and the expertise and capability of the IR’s management and systems. Consequently, he followed this up with the principles of leveraging the assets (“milk the cow fully”) and empowerment and delegation. With whatever has been achieved in the ‘turnaround,’ Mr Lalu Prasad has demonstrated that good economics is good politics. “Mr Lalu Prasad is a non-interfering, yet aware MR, who sets the goals and expects results.” was stated by most of the ex-Members and the current Members of the Board. “This has given him a position of strength to build organizational alignment to see through fundamental initiatives.”

To build alignment for execution, the Lalu periodically communicated to the GMs, setting and reinforcing Mr Lalu Prasad had a positive approach in dealing with the staff and unions. Given the financial performance of the IR, the unions wanted a doubling of the contribution to the staff welfare fund. He offered them more. When he saw that gangmen who had to walk on the stone ballast were not provided footwear as part of their equipment, he ensured the same.

What is the management mantra of Lalu? He has not gone to any premier management institute and born to poor family in village. His management mantra is “common sense and human approach to the problem” which made wonders to Indian Railways
He has plugged the loop holes where revenue is leaking.
Decentralization of administration and non interference.
Human touch to the problems of staff and rewarding the staff who has done good work to railways.
Providing amenities to passengers and decreasing freight charges
Speech of Shri Lalu Prasad, introducing the Railway Budget 2008-2009, on 26 February 2008
“I present the Railway Budget for the year 2008-09 with a sense of deep pride and satisfaction. Each year we have progressively raised the bar based on our own successes. The cash surplus of the Railways rose steadily from Rs 9000 cr in 2005 to Rs 14000 cr in 2006 to Rs 20000 cr in 2007. The august House would be happy to know that in 2007-08, we will create history once again by turning in a cash surplus before Dividend of Rs. 25000 cr. Our operating ratio has also improved to 76%. Indian Railways is a Government Department. However, we take pride in the fact that our achievement, on the benchmark of net surplus before Dividend, makes us better than most of the Fortune 500 companies in the world...”

Ever one should learn the example of Lalu for better management of public sector undertaking and other government institutions

ATTACK ON CRICKETERS!!!COWARD ACT

Attack on cricketers A shootout that took place near the Gaddafi cricket ground in Lahore as the Sri Lankan cricket team was passing by. Terrorists attacked the touring Sri Lankan team in Lahore, leaving five policemen dead and injuring six players

Condemning the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan, I am of the opinion that it is high time that the world recognises the concerns raised by India all along. The incident will force the global community to declare Pakistan as a terrorist state. The world will be compelled to recognise Pakistan as a terrorist state after this attack. every one condemn the attack. It is not only an attack on cricket but also on the peace loving world fraternity. The incident signifies the urgency for the world community to recognise the concerns which India has always been raising.

Now Pakistan is under the control of terrorists and Taliban, until and unless some drastic action is taken by world leaders Pakistan become head ache to all nations. Sport persons are brand ambassadors of different countries.

BAN PLASTIC BAGS FOR PROTECTING ENVIRONMENT

In olden days people use to carry cloth bags or jute bags to the shop to purchase grocery or other things but when plastic is discovered it became part and parcel of our lives, whatever we do we use plastic in day to life, whether it is a plastic mug, plastic bucket or plastic containers we use in kitchen. The biggest problem with the plastic bags which are used for packing of milk, oil, salt etc they become big environmental problem. when we go for shopping the shop owners give, shopping plastic bag which is handy but which is destroying the environment. Plastic bags are light, sturdy and easy to carry. They are cheaper than paper. Plastics are reuse in the home. We see so many beautiful and fashionable and colorful bags but how much these bags will harm environment
Many people do not know the problem with plastic bags is
· Plastic is not biodegradable
· When buried plastic will choke the drainages
· When burnt plastics will emit poisonous gases
To make plastic one has to use the petroleum products, plastic production and processing require the use of toxic chemicals. Many manufacturing plants that produce these chemicals also produce hazardous waste and pollute the air. Five of the top six were chemicals commonly used by the plastic industry [propylene, phenol, ethylene, polystyrene, and benzene]. Platics which are substitute to traditional storage materials become problem to the environment.
A small town Tadipatri in Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh has set a example for plastic ban. Citizens of this industrial town in the district are setting an example to the entire State by strictly adhering to the ban on use of plastic (polythene) carry bags and tea cups and drinking water tumblers imposed by the municipal council. The ban has been practically in force from January 26. Cooperation from traders, fruit vendors, street vendors and roadside tea stalls after the initial reluctance has made the ban a successful exercise. And, citizens are also getting used to alternative methods like carrying handbags for shopping and using paper tumblers, if necessary. Doubts persisted among citizens when the civic body announced its decision to ban plastic use. The resolve of the civic body to improve sanitation and to prevent health hazards with the use of plastic carry bags has gone down well with the public.
"It was difficult initially to make a changeover from plastic carry bags to paper. But both customers and vendors are getting accustomed to the situation now," says a fruit vendor on the busy Kadapa-Bellary road in the town. Instead of packing the fruits in polythene carry bags, fruit vendors are wrapping up the fruits in old newspapers now.
To make the ban work, municipal staff conducted raids on shops initially and seized about 120 kg of plastic carry bags, tea cups and tumblers. It was announced that a penalty of Rs. 2,500 would be imposed if one were found either selling or using the plastic carry bags or tea cups. Three traders were booked for violation of the ban and penalty was collected so far. Roadside tea stalls have also stopped using plastic teacups and instead, they have turned to the old system of glass or stainless steel tumblers for serving tea and coffee.
This is a good example for others in the country when we are taking about environment, one should follow example set by this small town.
Carrying Plastic should be banned by law and the people were asked to carry the cloth bags while shopping whether it is for grocery or other shopping
Anything can be achieved one people determined and authorities impose ban on use of plastic bags.
Let ever one pledge to carry jute or cloth bag for shopping
Make India as green India.