Nutrient Based Subsidy

The new nutrient-based subsidy policy is finally effective from April 1, 2010. The subsidy will be admissible for the three macro nutrients — nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) — one secondary nutrient — sulphur (S) — and two micro nutrients — zinc and boron — on actual weight of the nutrient in the fertiliser. The scheme will be applicable on controlled fertilisers other than urea, but including diammonium phosphate (DAP), monoammonium phosphates (MAP), triple superphosphate (TSP), muriate of potash (MoP), ammonium sulphate, single superphosphate and 12 other complex fertilisers.

Earlier, the heavy subsidy on urea led to its overusage and smuggling to neighbouring countries.

The objective of shifting from product-based subsidy (PBS) to nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) regime was to restore soil health by addressing the nutrient imbalances of NPK and the lack of secondary and micro nutrients through use of fertilisers on specific soil-moisture conditions and crop needs. Also, price decontrol is supposed to incentivise innovation in fertiliser products. The NBS regime, like the earlier PBS regime, does not address the government's fiscal concerns if the issue price of fertilisers to the farmers is to be maintained. The NBS regime, as notified, seems to be old wine in new bottle. It is administered, and not market determined, and, therefore, will fail to ensure nutrient use as per soil health and crop requirements. Cheap urea will continue to be overconsumed. Deficiencies of other nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese and molybdenum remain unaddressed.

But in the last one year since the start of the NBS scheme last April, there were huge increases in the global price of non-urea fertilisers . That has meant increased pressure on urea, a controlled fertiliser and therefore the cheapest and most used by farmers. Not freeing up its farm gate price for any longer will mean higher reliance on already high priced imports to the immense disadvantage of domestic units, something a government already struggling to get the math right on soaring subsidies right, can ill afford. But this remains a politically sensitive issue.

It will also defeat the very basic objective of balanced fertilisation espoused by the NBS. Under the nutrient-based subsidy regime, fertiliser companies will get the freedom to set prices on nutrientbased fertilisers leaving the government to decide a fixed annual per tonne subsidy on nutrients.

A Toast to Y7@Aquatics IITK

They gathered together...from Hall 3, Hall 2, Hall 5 and still more. For 4-5 years the pool's walls roared. They lined up against one another and relished this a lot....a rainbow of colors together for sport. They sprinted, they shot, they jumped, they shouted and sometimes got hustled...somehow they seemed to work it all out. They smiled, they laughed, they learned life's lessons....respected one another regardless of differences. Their big and small arguments put together now seem awkward...but amazingly enough they pushed them forward. Now they've packed up the balls, and rolled up the towels.....soon they'll put on their best suits and the finest of hats...will wave goodbye...come this 28th May...and celebrate one another in a hell of a way. I imagine this and think..when this is all over, its as good as it gets....a lifetime of memories with zero regrets. A truckload of Cheers to you!

The Measure of a Man.

These battered hands are all you own

This broken heart has turned to stone

Go hang your glory on the wall

There comes a time when castles fall

And all that's left is shifting in the sand

You're out of time, you're out of place

Look at your face

That's the measure of a man

This coat that fits you like a glove

These dirty streets you learned to love

So welcome back my long lost friend

You've been to hell and back again

God alone knows how you crossed that span

Back on the beat, back to the start

Trust in your heart

That's the measure of a man

It's the fire in the eyes, the lines on the hand

It's the things you understand

Permanent ties from which you once ran

That's the measure of a man

You've come full circle, now you're home

Without the gold, without the chrome

And this is where you've always been

You had to lose so you could win

And rise above your troubles while you can

Now you can love, now you can lose

Now you can choose

That's the measure of a man

Survivor

Risin' up, back on the street

Did my time, took my chances

Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet

Just a man and his will to survive

So many times, it happens too fast

You trade your passion for glory

Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past

You must fight just to keep them alive

It's the eye of the tiger, it's

the thrill of the fight

Rising up to the challenge of our rival

Face to face, out in the heat

Hangin' tough, stayin' hungry

They stack the odds, still we take to the street

For the kill with the skill to survive

Risin' up, straight to the top

Had the guts, got the glory

Went the distance, now I'm not gonna stop

Just a man and his will to survive.

The Fighter Within.

Some things are worth fighting for....Some feelings never lose their sheen,

I am thinking of what it was....I am thinking of what else could it have been.

We are not indestructible...we must better get that straight,

I think its unbelievable...the things that can happen in a battle of fate.

There's no easy way out...there's no shortcut around,

In such a mighty situation...its not all wrong to break down.

I am not asking for another chance...and don't want to pull you down,

All I am saying is...not everyone everywhere gets a chance for a rebound.

Some things are worth fighting for...some feelings never die,

Don't let it pacify...this fire that can make you try.

The fever is rising high...the moment of truth draws near,

I'm burning with determination...the rules have no more meaning here.

Some things are worth fighting for...some passions run down deep,

Lacking courage to face such odds...only makes you become obsolete.

I feel like a boy...who while playing 'snakes & ladders' might hit a 99,

So near yet so far...but won't give up until I cross that line.

Life is like a one way street...in a car with the windscreens gone,

If you can't see the road ahead...you'll still have to tag along.

Instead of going down an endless road...not knowing if you're dead or alive,

Some things are worth fighting for...some things deserve more than a try.

There's always hope...I believe tomorrow will be better than today,

It's when the chips are down...that the heroes rise to save the day.

The meaning of a flame of light...is found in the darkest night,

Some things are worth fighting for...no dark can quell your bright.

Not all can go wrong...I believe in this fate,

There is always room...boy you are never that late.

And in my final lines that I'd like to tender here,

In the fighter's code there is no surrender there.

Some things are worth fighting for...and I am an offender found rare.

Luck, Hardwork and Passion.

Luck, Hardwork and Passion were three friends,
Luck and Hardwork fought as if there were no other ends.
Passion alone stood in the corner,
watching it all with little to bother.
They fought and fought with no result,
blaming one another for no fault of the other.
Hardwork complained in success that Luck stole his credit,
Luck vetoed seeking an apology for failure leading to his discredit.
To help solve it needed someone else's nod,
so with Passion alongside they sought the help of God.
Luck thought that now he had an upper hand,
Having forgot that God didn't favour anyone's stand.
God said, "I am supreme of'em all,
Who then for success is the cause?"
Luck and Hardwork roared, "It must be us",
as they made God who he was.
God asked again, "I am supreme of'em all,
Who then for failure is the cause?"
Both stood still as they didn't want the blame,
but up rose Passion the hero that he was.
Passion said, "Its me who is to blame,
failure comes to those whose passion does not flame".
God smiled and replied, "To revel in success is everyone's ask,
but to burden the failure is a more difficult task."
Luck and Hardwork had now understood,
the story is not complete had Passion not withstood.
--
Pawan
All credit to Chetan Taneja for the original story of the 3 friends.

Quotes and Thoughts.

Smile.
If someone said that you've wasted your time...that you've not gained any practical knowledge in this time...that reading, hearing or studying theories doesn't really help much in real life situations. The best response to that someone would be to smile and appreciate the difference of opinion. What reading, studying and discussing can do. A freedom fighter in our independence struggle had first read, studied and discussed India for more than a year before joining the movement. He went on to become 'Mahatma' Gandhi. He created a new weapon the world had never seen before...a weapon that alone could have united us in the Movement...the weapon of Non-Violence. All this because he had read, studied and discussed. In the end it is you yourself who defines what constitutes a waste of time for you, the views of nobody else should matter or make you angry. That learning if you have come to acquire would constitute true Wisdom.


We Will Prevail.
Our stay on earth, if we place it with the timeline of the universe or for that matter even earth's existence, is smaller than a needle in a haystack...or a dot we make on that line. Given this, why don't we all try to create something that lasts long after we are gone. We have been fighting over petty issues in this scheme of things. I mean how can we place "Climate Change" and such other issues on the back burner. I address you today as a citizen of humanity. We are faced with the very gravest of challenges. We know this could very easily be the end of all things. And for the first time in the history of the planet, a species has the technology to prevent its own extinction. The human thirst for excellence, knowledge; every step up the ladder of science; every adventurous reach into space; all of our combined modern technologies and imaginations; even the wars that we've fought have provided us the tools to wage this terrible battle. Through all of the chaos that is our history; through all of the wrongs and the discord; through all of the pain and suffering; through all of our times, there is one thing that has nourished our souls, and elevated our species above its origins, and that is our courage. The dreams of an entire planet should be focused now. Every one counts. Make yourself that one among everyone. And may we all, citizens the world over, see these events through. God bless us, and good luck to you for being that one.


It is an irony that even when most people think and assume themselves and their thoughts and actions to be the most rational, moral, ethical, intelligent, educated, integral, sincere and honest still we somehow as a species are the most selfish, conniving, unethical, immoral, irrational, dishonest and corrupt. There is something seriously wrong somewhere and no one seems to be man enough to either point it out to us or if is man enough then gets the opportunity to affect such change. God! please give us what is necessary to heal as humankind or we will choke in these solitary spaces we have created for ourselves believing it to be otherwise.


Life is a interwoven sequence of emotions. Courage, fear, joy, sorrow, confidence, diffidence, love, hatred, honor, shame etc all emotions, plain and simple emotions. Every emotion can be intentionally generated at will and you alone are their master. You, therefore, my friend have all the power required to change all that you want about yourself or your life. You, therefore, are the master of your destiny.

As one journey ends...another begins. So is college, so is a job, so is life.

Forrest....life is a box of chocolates....you never know which one you'll get.

Failure in life is inevitable...it teaches you that you have stronger will than you had imagined...it brings you in touch with your true priorities...it makes you humble...it teaches you, inspires you, strips away the inessential, gives you a fresh new platform to build upon...and those who say they haven't failed are either dumb or have lived their lives so cautiously to not have lived it at all.

http://siddheshagashe.blogspot.com/2011/05/tragedy-of-being-25-in-indian-bschool.html

Its not what you do under pressure...its what you do when you are free that defines you.

Insaan bhi ajeeb cheez hai....har cheez ki aadat bana sakta hai!

Why isn't it allowed to marry oneself? I mean people marry each other and they marry God too (nuns, devadasis etal)..the only one you can't actually marry is yourself! Now, that's demeaning...It's like saying you aren't even good enough for yourself. Isn't it ? :P

Why isn't everything as simple as it was when I was a child?

A history here..a mystery there...everything is 'disclamatory' everywhere. A world desires...someone conspires...someone perspires...but eventually everyone retires. To a better tomorrow...no more of this sorrow...we believe in hope before someone pulls the rope. And that's all it has been or will be....like a history here...a mystery there...everything is 'disclamatory' everywhere.

I've come to believe that there is good in every heart. There is a joy in everyone's smile. A friendly hello in everyone glance. There's passion in everyone's eyes. And for the first time we can relate and appreciate each other. That's all it takes. That's where it starts...because I know if I do this then you'll do this...and all the rest is easy.

Zinda rehne ke mausam bahut hain magar jaan dene ki rut roz aati nahin.

Do pal ruka khwabon ka kaarwaan. Fir chal diye tum kahan hum kahan.

Don't drink and d(e)rive :D

I've always wondered why someone would like me!

We judge this world through the prism of our eyes...some things get refracted and some coloured...giving everyone their own version of reality. It takes wisdom and empathy to see what lies in the alternate paradigms of reality others live in...and as these are virtues not easily found still we wonder why things confound?

Life is Beautiful :)

His judgement cometh...and that Right soon.

I love you.

The greatest simple cause of a poor self-image is the absence of unconditional love.

Zarre zarre me chhupa hai hausle walon ka josh,
Paida hote hain issi mitti se hi Sarfarosh...

Urdu is such a beautiful language. I wish I knew it well enough to write it.

Afraad ke haathon main hai aqwaam ki taqdeer ,
Har fard hai millat ke muqaddar ka sitaraa . . .(courtesy Abid)
Translation:
In the hands of each man lies the destiny of a people ,
Each man therefore the guiding star of a nations future . . .(Abid)

Zindagi ke dorahe per chalte chalte baaz dafa aise lamhat bhi aate hain jab insaan ko apne jazbat ko kuchal kar doosron ke jazbat ka aitraam karna padta hai. Yehi woh manzil hai jahan insaniyat takmeel pati hai.

Zindagi ki asli udaan abhi baaki hai,
Zindagi ke kai imtihaan abhi baaki hai.
Abhi to napi hai muthi bhar zameen humne,
Aage abhi saara aasman baaki hai.

It is in the darkest hour that a ray of light gets its meaning. A single candle can light up thousands of others without losing a single minute of its own life...and all the darkness of this world cannot extinguish this single candle.

The feeling of contentment seems scarce in this bizarre rat-race leading us nowhere. Somehow the shallow consumerism and "social esteem" has eroded the much deeper humanity. Celebrating ourselves has been forgotten....I guess I miss a friend.

Yunan, Misr, Roma sab mit gaye jahan se.
Phir bhi magar hai baki, namo nishan hamara.
Kuchh baat hai ki hasti mitati nahin hamari,
Sadiyon raha hai dushman, daur-e-zaman hamara.

Everything could have been anything else, and it would have just as much meaning.

True love is only when u can clean the shit of the person when he/she is bedridden by bad health or age.

Facebook brings your friends close....but your enemies closer. I guess it serves the purpose!

My A.B.C of life: Accept, Believe, Create. Amazingly it fits everywhere :)

On the surface life is only a play of words. Beneath the surface, well...this frontier still remains unexplored.

Words can change everything. Everything! And anything can change the words.

“Ask what you have done for your country, not what your country can do for you” [JFK]
I guess an individual can make a big difference, Anna Hazare being the most recent such role model.

Its better to create history than quote it.

The power of a Sport was felt over the World yesterday, unprecedented in human history. It united Indians at home & abroad, forcing them onto the streets as much in Melbourne or Miami as in Mumbai, celebrating with otherwise strangers, transcending the barriers of age, ethnicity & gender making one another a proud Indian. A salute to the humble Little Master & the Team which gifted it to him and the nation.

(After India won the Cricket World Cup 2011)

"That which has no existence in the beginning and in the end,must be merely illusory in the interim,and shall not therefore be allowed to have any influence upon the mind"....Verse 28,chapter 2 [Geeta].