Merriam-Webster  announced that “austerity” saw more than 250,000 searches on the dictionary’s free online tool. This was probably due to greater coverage of the international debt crisis. Therefore, it was announced by the company as Word of the Year for 2010. Runners-up also included “pragmatic,” “moratorium,” “socialism,” and “bigot”. For example, the latter possibly motivated from the public use by former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown! see: http://www.saviarora.com/gordon-brown-bigot-comment/

Austerity, is a 14th century noun defined as “the quality or state of being austere” and “enforced or extreme economy,”

Does this mean that people look behind the meaning of words? Or, could it be that the public wish to verify their use, checking-up on those who potentially should know better? I will always remember the words from the Reverend Jesse Jackson when I interviewed him a few years ago (see http://www.saviarora.com/rev-jesse-jackson-and-the-rainbow-push-coalition/). He suggested (paraphrasing)  that it is interesting some banks were quick to lend. However, now that there is an issue, they need to show both Corporate Responsibility and justice.

Now is the time for creative solutions to ensure that people, all who are hardworking can manage their existence and dreams.

Although nations in 2010 have focused on Austerity measures, have they:

• Identified their own areas of waste,
• Found potential investment in renewal strategies,
• Shown courage to support small businesses,
• Revisited private firms/contracts and associated procurement strategies
• Limited bankers bonuses (see: http://www.saviarora.com/bankers-bonuses-do-they-deserve-it/) and
• Started to seriously invest in youth based projects to give them hope rather than fueling their debt and despair?

I hope 2011 will be a year of creative renewal rather than a year of deepening crisis.

The BBC sports coverage team have a lot to answer for. Sometimes I feel that on the whole the BBC are a private club. I’m not doubting the abilty of the presenters to present edited highlights. Certainly, the crew that put together the ending sequences for the Wimbledon championships are skilled. My gripe is the lack of inclusiveness for many of the main events covered.

Poor Sports reporting
Take for example the 2010 Commonwealth games. Initially, to create sensationalism the staging was criticised. Maybe this was in an effort to ‘big up’ what the BBC may feel is an ‘also ran’ set of events.

In my view the BBC contradicted the nature and sense of the games. There is simply too much focus on the performance of UK home teams. I remember seeing one of the UK running teams finish 4th. Crazily the interviews were held with the latter and losing relay team and in the background the team that finished first were celebrating – you could see them in-shot in the background!?

At times during the coverage of the Commonwealth Games, there was an air of ‘how can the Indians be better than us’.
It was good that Michael Johnson put some of the presenters in their place. I remember it well.
It was after a winning run by an Indian runner. He suggested (paraphrasing) that this is what the games was all about.

However, it was sad to hear that this is what could be achieved at this time for the athelete and at this type of tournament. In my view reporing should include an element of inspiring others and celebrating in success.

Is this poor, biased or assumed reporting? Actually, all three could apply.

• Poor reporting means lazy researching and reporting. The knock-on impact is that it fails to inspire a nation or personalities from different background.
• Biased reporting means that analysis and feedback is only given to one side of a performance. We see this in patronising comments about a non-British team. It is easy to pick-up with the undertones of the commentator.
• Assumed reporting means that the editors feel that they know what is best for the public. Or, are they simply fueling their own interests.

With the Olympics approaching in 2012 will there be a change? At this moment I have no confidence in the editorial or presenting teams.

The need to change focus at the BBC

The BBC need to revisit their aims as a broadcaster. They need to remember the pledge of their charter, especially Section 4: item (e):

The Public Purposes
The Public Purposes of the BBC are as follows—

• (a)sustaining citizenship and civil society;
• (b)promoting education and learning;
• (c)stimulating creativity and cultural excellence;
• (d)representing the UK, its nations, regions and communities
• (e)bringing the UK to the world and the world to the UK;
• (f)in promoting its other purposes, helping to deliver to the public the benefit ofemerging communications technologies and services and, in addition, taking aleading role in the switchover to digital television.

The growth of reality TV also doesn’t help. The BBC should be spending our money on reporting personal development and motivational stories and not on countless programmes based on property. For example, everyweek daytime TV allocates hundreds of hours on home improvement, purchasing, movement and antiques! Why? They also seemed to be lost in a world of reality TV, like every other channel.

OK, lots of criticism but the BBC cannot be beaten on fantastic technical work, the innovation of the iPlayer and the multitude of radio channels (albeit that I wonder what the true figures are for listeners)

Unfortunately, most of us eat what we are fed, rather than shout for change.
The public broadcasting service needs to be revisited. The channel needs to be reporting for the people and not at the people!

I wrote these notes as I watched tonights episode of BBC1′s Remembrance: The Sikh Story.

Firstly, as per normal it’s ridiculous that programmes of such calibre and importance are shown at such a late hour. I’m also not sure how much it was advertised. It’s a credit to some of the people who I know who sent text messages to get people to watch it.

At the beginning of the programme there was a categoric mistake. NB The 5 K’s of the Sikhs are not all military based! Maybe time was an issue but there is no excuse to not delve deeper into the spiritual and scientific importance of Sikh symbols.

It was good to see where Sikhs had fought, for example, France, Burma and Italy… Actually, the book and film, ‘The English Patient’ also documents the contribution of Sikhs.
I suggest that the French need to see this documentary so that they can realise that Sikhs helped to free them. Maybe it could help them stop their stance on discriminatory action on religion.

It was good to see such fascinating pictures and the audio was truly amazing.

Midway through the programme revealed the shooting of innocent lives in Amirtsar in 1919. That was an event ironically conducted by General Dyer. Incidentally, the Programme forgot to mention that Sikhs were also the largest community who gave their lives for the freedom of India as part of the Quit India campaign.

As previously suggested with such rich content the BBC really needed to show this at peak viewing hours so that today’s generation can understand the rich heritage that we all share. Just as the Programme mentioned, maybe its political to keep the contribution hidden to aid a alternative view of patriotism for the general population.

On the whole, the programme was well put together. There is also a hidden message for SIkhs. We need to take advice given at the end by one of the interviewees, I.e As we sadly see the passing away of Sikh Soldiers, we urgently need to document their brave efforts for everyone to see and remember their sacrifices.

It’ has been a while since I blogged. The reason? I guess its because I’ve been in deep thought about a number of issues.
Firstly, the economic climate is full of uncertainty and if like me you run a business, it yields a series subtle stress…! Secondly, as the summer kicks in, you get to experience change… derived from the climate, mood and the environment. Combine all this with flag-waving mania (just look at the state of some of the cars roaming around with countless England flags clipped onto their windows) induced by the World Cup soccer championships and my birthday – often a time to reminisce about your life and consider how things have changed.

When I grew up the national flag and St George’s flag were both synonymous with racism. They had both been hijacked by the racist party – the national front (note the lower case!).  Are things any different now?

On Saturday 12th June 2010 I was invited to join a group of friends to watch England’s first world-cup match against the USA. The event was televised on 4 screens, including a large projection wall display. We all decided to congregate at the Indian Gymkhana, first established in 1916. Click here for a full history of its inception.

Back to the match. The majority of those watching the match were of Indian decent – Representatives from all of Indian’s wide and varied community were present. Even my next door neighbour with his entire family attended.

Interestingly, there was one thing they all had in common. 80% wore an England football shirt and the atmosphere was electrified by the chants of ‘Come on England’!

I managed to catch some of the excitement, especially just after the first and only goal that was scored: See below:

Click here to view the embedded video.

I found this new loyalty to the English flag amazing on many levels.

• Was this a demonstration that Norman Tebbit’s rules had been broken?
• Did Enoch Powell’s  rivers of blood speech now mean nothing as people felt comfortable with accepting England as their true home?

My mind tells me that we have a further journey to travel – for the general community to accept people from different backgrounds, many who have fathers and mothers that struggled since the 1950s to be accepted as equals and who laid the foundations for today’s youth and generally more comfortable life style.

Why do I still feel some cynicism regarding the flag ? Firstly, there is no acceptance from the media at large to acknowledge that the UK is varied in its cultural make-up. TV, radio and the majority of featured celebrities is orientated towards a sub-culture and the pretence that the average viewer or listener is from a ‘white’ background. What also does not help are shows like Britain’s Got Talent displaying a weekly / seasonal undertone of inequality and class distinction. The BBC are quick to chop the BBC Asian Network (Why call it Asian!) yet commitment to Radio 3 continues. Remember too that ‘ethnic’ programming is still late into the night!

Maybe, I was shocked due to my personal experiences of being bullied on race grounds at school. Maybe, I consider that today’s loyalty to the flag displayed by others is based on convenience. NB We do have a lot to the Thank the UK for.
Or, maybe I should be more optimistic that ‘times are a changing’ ?

It is now over 24 hours since Gordon made that comment in Rochdale. Obviously, the transcript from both the outside broadcast and Radio 2′s face-to-face playback have been analysed by the majority of the media.

Interestingly, it amazes me about how quick the press were to jump, form a scrum and ‘go for the jugular’!

Looking up the term ‘bigot’ from Wikipedia, it is publicly defined as:

A person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices.
The correct use of the term requires the elements of obstinacy, irrationality, and animosity toward those of differing devotion. The origin of the word bigot and bigotry in English dates back to at least 1598, via Middle French, and started with the sense of “religious hypocrite”. Forms of bigotry may have a related ideology or world views.

That is enough of the history lesson, let us focus on the issue.

If Gordon used the word it at a point of frustration, then it can be considered as ‘throw-away’. It is hard to be a politician. Just imagine your every moment being recorded and played back in front of you.

Gordon is very highly educated and a few years ago he really revealed his depth of intellectual capacity when he spoke about some of his other interests.

The press are suggesting that the ‘I’ word (Immigration) is avoided as an issue due to political correctness. I believe that there is no need for the ‘I’ word any more. Even on BBC Breakfast this morning, a Conservative MP was using one of Maggie’s old term’s, ‘Swamped’.
The public appear to have forgotten that ‘immigrants’ have made the UK economically better off and stable. New arrivals yield new opportunities, have passion, drive and a sense to better their situations. This all ‘rubs off’ on the general community.

On BBC Radio4 the BNP leader said that, ‘the country is full-up’! Generating fear Griffin, never helped anyone!

If we consider for a few moments that the World Wars were fought with a multi-national force, many from Commonwealth countries and the British occupied India for 200 years, we should be able to see that the UK represents an example of multiculturalism where there is strength through diversity and mutual respect. Churchill encouraged migration, suggesting that the UK needed to be rebuilt after the war and needed help from the ex-Empire.

Coming back Mrs Duffy’s comments about immigration. She reportedly said:
“All these eastern Europeans that are coming in – where are they flocking from?”

Did she not realise that her expected answer was already within her question!

Gordon ended the conversation with her with a sense of care, asking about her family. He has to do the best he can given the time he can physically allocate.

In terms of his sense of genuineness, do his comments suggest a hypocritical stance?
I suggest that Gordon may have attempted to match his passion for Labour’s belief of fairness and equality verse someone who was specifically challenging him about her views on immigration – NB Gordon may have seen a conflict situation between someone who in theory should believe in the same values as the Labour party, especially as she proclaimed herself as a life-long and loyal member of Labour.

A balance of Immigration!
Maybe the lack of statistics is the issue. People from all walks of life in the UK have not fully understood the balance of immigration figures.
If there are 1M new people, people should realise that 1M have also left. We probably need more data published to settle the FUD factor – fear, uncertainly and doubt.

The motive of the Eastern Europeans coming to the UK is likely to be driven on their desire to improve their own countries and like many others seek a better life. By accepting them into a multicultural environment we will be collectively helping our own community and helping others too. For example, a Polish person sending money to their homeland helps to fuel / develop both economies.

In summary, if personal passion doesn’t match what you thought someone also believed in, then accidental frustration can result.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Last night I had the chance to watch a select / test screening of Ocean of Pearls. The movie has won countless awards in the US and has also been on a selective theatre release. I also had a chance to interview the Director and Producer, Dr Sarab Singh Neelam. I hope to issue this audio interview in a future Sikhwithin, probably Episode 56

Dr Sarab, is both an inspiring and committed film-maker. Starting off as a medical Doctor he has also spent the last 10 years and managed a budget of $1.5million to deliver a film that really moves you. His connections to Hollywood have assisted in the development of the film and its themes.

As you watch the film you realise that it is not preaching in manner. There are some scenes that as a Sikh make your heart sink. In others, you recognise similar public stereotypical influenced episodes.

The films delivery is based on generating a universal message of self-realisation of who you are and the importance of what you represent. Other themes explored by the film include seva (service) and dilemmas introduced by different health systems.

Please see the trailer below:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Please visit the Website too:
http://www.oceanofpearls.com

After the movie the audience had a chance for Questions and Answers with Dr Sarab. Dr Saran spoke of the impact that the film had on people from different denominations. In the US film-goers expressed they felt  the need to know more about their own religion and some from the Sikh faith reflected on the importance of their own faith. Interestingly, I have heard this phenomena before. As chair of the Interfaith Youth Trust, we often hear that kids who attend interfaith awareness events often wish to learn more about their own religion. Thus deepening a respect for parallel ethics and greater meaning of their own elements.

Currently, European plans for this movie are under review. It is certainly a must buy to share with your family, local community, services agencies and your library.

The more we communicate who we are and our stories and we have many of those, the greater an understanding between ourselves and  diverse world will develop.

What is it about entrepreneurs that interests many of us so much? Are we seeking the secret success formula?
Those with such dreams are probably interested because they believe in the Walt Disney’s Adage,  ‘If you can dream it, you can do it’. Are we really in admiration of what can be instantly achieved.

This is a fictional adaptation of what might have happened when Facebook was first inspired, created and then exploded!

Ben Mezrich publication is drawn both from research and imagination.

If you read the associated inside notes, it is interesting that he DID NOT met or get a response from Mark Zuckerberg. The reader is therefore left wondering what was is actually fact, adlib or opinion from those that Ben interviewed/researched.

The review at Entertainment Weekly (ew.com) suggests that:

‘the book is a breezy blend of fact and fiction’.

What is dangerous, is the risk a movie being produced that is far from reality.
I’m half way through the book and although it is a quick read, I’m struggling with the concept of clubs, fraternities and in-crowds.
Am I too shocked about how business really works or should I take this book as motivation to strive forward in an honest and thankful manner.

The latter is what I was taught.

We can only hope that success was based on a sincere approach.
NB Facebook now has more than 300 million members around the world. The privately owned company has been valued as high as $15 billion!

Although the video focuses heavily on ‘the trouble’ with twitter being an exhibitionist’s tool. It fails to outline practical benefits.
For example, potential pooling or what I call meshing of information into a stream of reliable data. The latter is often described as Mindcasting.

As computers have become increasingly part of our daily lives there is a natural emergence of dependency and sharing of information.

I remember reading about one of the pioneers of IT strategy, Joanna Woodward. She was way ahead of her time, writing back in the 1950s about how one day computers would be prevalent throughout an organisation.

Interestingly, whilst at University one of my lecturers suggested slyly, ‘Have you ever heard of people uploading stuff’!?
However, I doubt if at the time anyone realised that blogging would one day become so influential on the way modern day publications and corporate Public Relations now consider their place in society.

The video is extremely amusing, especially when it shows the range of Twitters, life-blogging!
It misses out on mentioning the race to get as many followers as possible? In my view the latter just results in lots of noise.
Being in the attention economy should not mean that there is no value in what you read or see.

I love the line from the video:

Question: Who are they talking to?
Answer: Noone and everyone!

Click here to view the embedded video.

You could argue that maybe I would not have come across the original item if it  had not been for Twitter !

Twitter will find its place, especially when all the noise has subsided.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Stevie and Sting are also inspiring – Maybe they’ll issue a CD with all this great music – recording a sense of hope…

Click here to view the embedded video.

What is really signed, sealed and delivered ? Its the latter word for the world we need to focus on now:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Terrorism in my view is not born out of frustration. It is vile and a portrayal of cowardliness. Many issues for India and Pakistan are a result of a mis-managed and some historians have suggested deliberate ‘divide-and-rule’ policy/legacy. I often feel that independence day in India is both a celebration of freedom but also recognition of British Raj’s oppression. The people of the lands that remain divided cannot move on. They will and should not forget their divided families. I still believe in the power to convince people of their wrong doings by first reasoning and asking them to look into their hearts for a solution.

Having also read a recent piece from another / completely separate blogger on Obama’s attempt to ‘reach’ both sides, India and Pakistan to work towards solutions, the article was quick to point out personality issues with the Obama’s appointees.

Any attempt at dialogue has to be a positive step. However, there appears to be not enough momentum from either the UN or independent teams on both ends to work towards peace. I’m certainly not suggesting that both sides do not want a solution as that would be cynical, honest! Too much is based on the past mistakes.

No doubt security will continue to be even tighter around the world as we all suffer the ripple effects.

We need a positive channel for news. A channel that can communicate what the world would be like if we all got along.

We also need new political models that encourage communities to take charge of their regions. This means collaborative communities / empowered with more autonomy in terms of local controls, for example in farming and what is paid to a centralised system.

We have to remember that the minority spoil it for the majority but the power is still with the majority to contain radicals.

The death toll continues to rise in Mumbai as the attempt by terrorists to use a many-to-many attack strategy has lead to a longer and harder campaign to control them. The risks to innocent people is higher and the ripple effect that it will leave behind in Mumbai will be greater.