Warrier's Collage on Sunday January 7, 2024

Welcome To Warrier's COLLAGE On Sunday, January 7, 2024 1) Collage Tips : Happiness* https://tomgreene.com/blog/hbz7j486dxghnxs9kj88nakgm2mn7n?ref=refind *Link shared by TNC Rangarajan 2) Kerala State School Art Festival 2024 https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/kalolsavam-2024-kerala-state-school-arts-festival-gets-underway-in-kollam-1.9210803 Glimpses : https://www.youtube.com/live/Ct_KcSOgZCQ?feature=shared Friends Thought of the day : Yesterday, felt happy when K P V Karunakaran asked : "At 80, how you are keeping in contact with so many people in family and outside?" I said they are all my "Collage-mates" Collage starts 2024 with a festival. Enjoy the year. M G Warrier A Responses/Messages 1) Reshmy Warrier @LinkedIn Ref : Dignity Dialogue Interview Proud to share the inspiring journey of my father M G Warrier who overcame difficult circumstances to become a respected General Manager at the Reserve Bank of India. Even today, he ardently keeps his intellectual pursuits alive. Post-retirement, he published insightful books focusing on economics and finance, including "Restoring Trust in Governance" (2020), "Chasing Inclusive Growth" (eBook version of "Banking, Reforms and Corruption"), and "India's Decade of Reforms" (2018). His latest book, "Open Book of Happy Memories* (And Other Stories)," offers a unique perspective, sharing nostalgic stories and reflections on current issues. These essays originated as daily musings during the pandemic. A compilation of select pieces, it promises a diverse exploration of memories and recent writings. (All the books are available to buy online.) Looking upto the wisdom and achievements of a remarkable individual. * Available with the publisher, Notion Press Chennai and at major outlets like Flipkart and Amazon : Open Book of Happy Memories ( And Other Stories ) https://amzn.eu/d/3h9YGWY For friends in US Open Book of Happy Memories: ( and Other Stories ) https://a.co/d/hEqFUGN For friends in UK Open Book of Happy Memories: ( and Other Stories ) https://amzn.eu/d/8FI7f6B 2) Balasubramanian Coimbatore Money doesn't buy happiness or does it?” In 2010, psychologist Daniel Kahneman and economist Angus Deaton attempted to investigate if money impacted people's psychological well-being, which comprises positive and negative effects and life satisfaction. The study found that money did impact how people evaluate their lives when they think about it; that people with more money feel better about their lives. However, emotional well-being rose with income, as expected too, but only to an annual salary of $75,000 ($90,000 in today's money). Beyond that, people were no happier with higher salaries. The conclusion drawn from this study was that whilst “low income is associated both with low life evaluation and low emotional wellbeing, ironically, “high income buys life satisfaction but not happiness" B Current Affairs New Year begins with a successful launch XpoSat : India launches space mission to study black holes https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-67837066 Media Response 1) Rationalise interest rates This refers to the report ‘Banks raise FD rates to support credit growth, protect NIMs’ (The Hindu Business Line, January 3). Post-deregulation, lending and deposit rates across banks and financial institutions have not been following any transparent pattern. As in other areas, here also self-regulation is synonymous with indiscipline. The prevailing practice supports high margins and high lending rates leading impacting recovery. There’s urgent need for the government and institutions including banks to be in sync in lending and borrowing rates. Meanwhile, differential treatment for senior citizens’ deposits and pension funds to insulate regular income from the vagaries of market forces also deserve priority. MG Warrier Mumbai *Published on January 4, 2024 2) Making institutions responsible This refers to the report "SC Backs Sebi Inquiry into Adani, Rejects Any Other" (Economic Times, January 4). The Apex Court approach goes a step beyond an effort to signal trust in institutions. It is indicative of a louder message that their Lordships are not pleased to find people reaching before them matters are still under consideration of other institutions with statutory responsibility. Let's hope this will reduce the recent tendency of doubting institutional responsibility and restore trust in governance, each statutory body playing its role in a transparent way. M G WARRIER Mumbai C Collage Books A book I may read soon* : Why don't you write something I might read?: Reading, Writing & Arrhythmia By Suresh Menon https://amzn.eu/d/eOqJbOA Amazon Review What do Ved Mehta, Gabriel García Márquez and Agatha Christie have in common—apart from being celebrated writers, that is? What makes a writer or a book ‘great’ and canonical while others that sold millions of copies in the first years after publication fade into oblivion? How much of a reader’s appreciation of a book stems from their own early reading and friendships? Journalists, novelists, ghostwriters, translators, playwrights and poets—what are the hierarchies to contend with in the world of publishing? These are some of the thoughts that light up this eclectic collection of essays which seek out the pleasures and techniques, the spaces and memories, the little moments and the life-changing sentences that encompass and enrich a reader’s life. A natural fit in every book lover’s heart and shelf. Literary writers occasionally write on their passion for sport. The traffic is seldom in the other direction. This book is a small attempt to redress that—a sportswriter writing on his passion for literature. *Started reading Kindle edition. D Memory https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/memory/how-improve-memory E Reserve Bank of India Governor's New Year Message* As we enter the new year 2024, it is a moment to reflect upon the year gone by and to chart the course for the year that is about to start. 2023 was an eventful year. The global economy faced a series of new challenges coming from multiple macroeconomic and geo-political shocks. It was also possibly the hottest year on record reminding us that climate change is no more a future threat. On the domestic front, India became the most populous country in the world and the fifth largest economy in terms of nominal GDP (3rd in terms of PPP); provided leadership to the G-20; and achieved soft-landing of Chandrayaan-3 near the south polar region of the moon. As Team RBI, we have been able to effectively navigate through the multiple challenges faced by us. We continued in our journey with proactive, pragmatic and prudent approach. On the monetary policy front, we have managed to moderate inflation while not losing focus on growth. Our actions were timely and decisive. We have also scaled new heights in maintaining macroeconomic and financial stability. Our regulatory and supervisory policies continued to be fine tuned to ensure a robust financial system. On the Fintech front, the success story of UPI is now an international model. We also made significant strides in usage of the e-rupee (CBDC) and exceeded the milestone of 1 million transactions in a day on December 27, 2023. It's heartening to note that our efforts have been acknowledged both at home and abroad through various awards. Such recognition would not have been possible without the teamwork which we have exhibited over the last few years. I would like to congratulate and also thank each one of you for tirelessly pursuing the Reserve Bank's vision and strengthening the trust of our citizens on the RBI. We must always remember that the Reserve Bank touches the lives of every citizen, be it through the currency note; access to quality banking services; ease of payments; or the safety of the money deposited in the banking system. We are very privileged to be in a position to make a positive change in peoples' lives. We must, therefore, continue to find ways to improve the efficacy and quality of our service delivery. We owe it to our country and the people. Let us welcome the new year with optimism and positivity. I wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy and prosperous new year 2024. *Source : RBI Newletter F Collage Obituary Remembering Kannamkulathillath Narayanan Namboodiri My Narayanettan (81) passed away after a brief illness on January 3, 2024. When his sister in law, a retired teacher who called me to inform would not have noticed the funny expression on my face as if I was expecting some bad news. This happens when we interact only for sharing some important information. My maternal grandfather who left us when I was a primary school student had the same name as Narayanettan : Kannamkulathillath Narayanan Namboodiri. Narayanettan is the great grandson of my paternal grandfather who is the elder half -brother of my maternal grandfather. Let me stop confusing further. This morning (January 4, 2024), Narayanettan's son Dr Sankaran Nambudiri working with Kottakkal Aryavaidyasala, Mangalore Branch called me. Leaving Namboodiri traditions, he recognises me as his Dad's younger brother and calls me "Apphan" with the Nambudiri accent which vibrates from head to toe (I get the same vibration when children or someone tried to touch my feet to show respect. As my father didn't consider touching feet as a necessary part of showing respect, I generally discourage anyone from touching my feet. Later in life, I found my boss S S Tarpore getting irritated when some of the junior colleagues trying to touch his feet. He used to joke that he would permit only if reciprocity is allowed!) My father used to address his father's younger brother as "Apphan". When I was in high school, father had brought Narayanettan from Illam to the temple where we were staying. He was with us for few months. By that time he had dropped out of school and I remember he told me once, that was the only exposure for him outside Payyanur during his childhood. I have attended his wedding in the traditional way and some other functions at Illam. Last time I stayed with him in Payyanur was for the Kaliyattam a few years ago (May 3, 4, 2019). Over the years, he lived through the ups and downs of Kannamkulathillath Illam and was lucky to see his son as a doctor whose care he received in good measure in his last years. Prayers 🙏-Warrier G New Year Resolution 2024 https://www.speakingtree.in/article/let-the-little-negatives-leave-your-mind/m-lite Resolve, therefore, in the new year that henceforth you shall not be cowed down by any difficult situation; that you shall face all adversities with determination and a positive approach and emerge victorious.