IITs in India : Is it the quality of students or the faculty ?

Last week has been pretty intense when you look at the events.
- If you take the technical scene, there was the whole Steve Job / Dennis Ritchie (known only to a miniscule minority) condolence + talk of Siri etc.
- In India, we had the political scene of split (almost) unfolding in what was expected to be an "non-political" group ie. the Team against corruption.
- Locally, in Bangalore, it was the time for an ex-chief minister to be placed under judicial custody !!!

Through all this, one particular debate ie. NRN Murthy's comment on the IIT students .vs. Chetan Bhagat's retort continues to rage. Every other day, there seems to be a new voice & opinion added to the mix  - the latest I saw was that of Prof. Inderesan (ex Director of IIT chennai).

When everyone seems to be in the fray, I thought it is time I added my 2 paise ?

So, let us take the key statements being made (distilling the points with my own poetic license)
NRN Murthy : Output quality is dropping (primarily attributable to INPUT quality of students)
Chetan Bhagat : "Mr Murthy had a point, but wish he wasn’t so sweepingly high handed. Fix the system. No point judging students,” 
Prof Inderasan : It is the lack of independence (read : from governmental interference) that is the REAL cause for drop in quality

Which goes to establish a common set ie.
   - Acceptance that the quality has INDEED dropped
   - There is a NEGATIVE impact attributable to the coaching classes (Kota being quoted repeatedly)
   - There is GROWING concern on the ability of teaching staff
  
Given this common theme, my own opinion is that Chetan's comment seemed to be played up by the media in a confrontational format (using the body shop image). Not enough is being done to relook at the core aspects raised in the 3 points above and trying to address it ?

My own suggestion is plain and simple
- RELOOK at the multiple choice format for IIT-JEE. Instead of focusing on the "negative marking" decision process, establish a more elaborate structure for selection where the SCORE is no longer the only criteria for selection. Basically, ensure that the input draws in more 'well-rounded' students
- RELOOK at the 4 year syllabus format with higher level of Industrial interaction (allowing for multiple viewpoints) and / or allowing students to choose a research area (allowing for greater depth / introspection)

More importantly, introduce small / incremental changes NOW before the tide turns to a tsunami.

Steve Jobs : RIP

Will always cherish the couple of days I spent @ the NeXT computers team with friends in early 1990 and the caffeine loaded conversations on things to come.

We were all way off on the predictions......
All our focus was on hardware (interoperable cubes), while the world moved onto the www.

Can someone please validate this list ?

I saw this in a yahoo group that I'm a member of.
I'm pasting this into the blog simply because it was too LOOOONG for any other mode of posting !
Also, I've just done a random check on the various entities in the list (about a dozen) and it seems to hold up to scrutiny. Does anyone know a) Who compiled this and b) Is this comprehensive ?


I do understand that the person(s) who've compiled this may not have disclosed their name(s), but, we should atleast know a half-way answer to my question (b) above ?

_________________________________
Following are some of the Government Schemes and Projects that have been named after the Nehru-Gandhi family.
Central Government Schemes:
1. Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana, Ministry of Power – A scheme “Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana� for Rural Electricity Infrastructure and Household Electrification was ...launched for the attainment of the National Common Minimum Programme of providing access to electricity to all Rural Household by 2009. Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) is the nodal agency for the scheme. Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana to be continued during the Eleventh Plan period with a capital subsidy of Rs. 28000 Crore; allocation of Rs 5500 crore for FY09.
2. Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission (RGNDWM), Ministry of Rural
Development, Annual allocation plan 2007-08 was Rs.6,400 crore and Annual
allocation plan 2008-09 is Rs.7,300 crore.
3. Rajiv Gandhi National Crèche Scheme for the Children of Working Mothers,
Department of Women & Child Development, Ministry of HRD, New Delhi,
Budgetary allocation 2008-09 – 91.88 crore.
Budgetary allocation 2009-10 – 91.52 crore
4. Rajiv Gandhi Udyami Mitra Yojana for benefit of NE entrepreneurs, Ministry
of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of India,
Budgetary allocation 2008-9 – Rs. 2.70 crore
Budgetary allocation 2009-10 – Rs.1.12 crore
5. Indira Awas Yojana, Ministry of Rural Areas and Environment – IAY is a CSS
funded on cost-sharing basis between the Centre and the States in the ratio
of 75:25. In the case of UTs, the entire funds are provided by Centre. The
target groups for housing under IAY are households below poverty line living
in rural areas, particularly those belonging to SC/ST and freed bonded labourers.
Budgetary allocation 2008-09 – Rs. 7919.00 crores
Budgetary allocation 2009-10 – Rs.7914.70 crores
6. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme – objective to provide
social security to workers in the unorganized sector in a phased manner. Budgetary
allocation in 2008-09 is Rs. 3,443 crore
7. Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission, Ministry of Urban Development,
Govt. of India – 7 years time frame, 50,000 cr.
Budgetary allocation for 2008 – 9 – 10447.98 crore
Budgetary allocation for 2009-10 – 10713.84 crore
8. Jawaharlal Nehru Rojgar Yojna – Ministry of Labour and Employment – A
Self- employment programme for urban poor
9. Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojna, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation
10. Indira Gandhi Canal Project, Funded by World Bank
11. Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana, Union Ministry of Textiles, in
association with ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited
12. Indira Vikas Patra

State Government Schemes:
1. Rajiv Gandhi Rehabilitation Package for Tsunami Affected Areas, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Budgetary Allocation Rs.2347.19 crores.
2. Rajiv Gandhi Social Security Scheme for poor people, Department of Revenue
and Disaster... Management, Government of Puducherry.
3. Rajiv Ratna Awas Yojna – Congress party president and United Progressive
Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had announced that the Centre would
give a package of Rs.1,500-crore for providing housing facilities to the
poorer sections in Delhi, thus announcing the scheme.
4. Rajiv Gandhi Prathamik Shiksha Mission , Raigarh
5. Rajiv Gandhi Shiksha Mission, Madhya Pradesh
6. Rajiv Gandhi Mission on Food Security , Madhya Pradesh
7. Rajiv Gandhi Mission on Community Health, Madhya Pradesh
8. Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation Limited is a Government Company
established by the Government of Karnataka to cater to the housing needs of
the Economically and Socially weaker sections of the society. Registered in
April 2000, its authorised Capital is Rs.10 crores with Rs.3 crore paid up.
9. Rajiv Gandhi Tourism Development Mission, Rajasthan
10. Rajiv Gandhi Computer Literacy Programme, Assam
11. Rajiv Gandhi Swavlamban Rojgar Yojana, Govt. of NCT of Delhi
12. Rajiv Gandhi Mobile Aids Counseling and Testing Services, Rajiv Gandhi
Foundation
13. Rajiv Gandhi Vidyarthi Suraksha Yojana, Maharashtra
14. Rajiv Gandhi Mission for Water Shed Management, M.P.
15. Rajiv Gandhi Food Security Mission for Tribal Areas, MP
16. Rajiv Gandhi Home for Handicapped, Pondicherry
17. Rajiv Gandhi Breakfast Scheme, Pondicherry
18. Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Divas, Punjab
19. Rajiv Gandhi Artisans Health and Life Insurance Scheme, Tamil Nadu
20. Rajiv Gandhi Zopadpatti and Nivara Prakalpa, Mumbai
21. Rajiv Arogya Sri programme , Gujrat State Govt. Scheme
22. Rajiv Gandhi Abhyudaya Yojana, AP
23. Rajiv Gandhi Computer Saksharta Mission, Jabalpur
24. Rajiv Gandhi Bridges and Roads Infrastructure Development Programme for
the construction of new roads and bridges and strengthening of the existing
ones in the state of Haryana
25. Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Niwara Prakalp, Maharashtra Govt.
26. Indira Gandhi Utkrishtha Chhattervritti Yojna for Post Plus Two Students,
Himachal Pradesh Government Scheme, Sponsored by, Central Government
27. Indira Gandhi Women Protection Scheme, Maharashtra Govt.
28. Indira Gandhi Prathisthan, Housing and Urban Planning Department, UP Govt
29. Indira Kranthi Patham Scheme, Andhra Pradesh
30. Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana, State Govt. Scheme
31. Indira Gandhi Vruddha Bhumiheen Shetmajoor Anudan Yojana, Govt. of
Maharashtra
32. Indira Gandhi Nahar Project (IGNP), Jaisalmer, Govt. of Rajasthan
33. Indira Gandhi Niradhar Yojna, Govt. of Maharashtra
34. Indira Gandhi kuppam, State Govt. Welfare Scheme for Tsunami effected
fishermen
35. Indira Gandhi Drinking Water Scheme-2006, Haryana Govt.
36. Indira Gandhi Niradhar Old, Landless, Destitute women farm labour Scheme,

Maharashtra Govt.

37. Indira Gandhi Women Protection Scheme , Maharashtra Govt.
38. Indira Gaon Ganga Yojana, Chattisgarh
39. Indira Sahara Yojana , Chattisgarh
40. Indira Soochna Shakti Yojana, Chattisgarh
41. Indira Gandhi Balika Suraksha Yojana , HP
42. Indira Gandhi Garibi Hatao Yojana (DPIP), MP
43. Indira Gandhi super thermal power project , Haryana Govt.
44. Indira Gandhi Water Project, Haryana Govt.
45. Indira Gandhi Sagar Project , Bhandara District Gosikhurd Maharashtra
46. Indira Jeevitha Bima Pathakam, AP Govt
47. Indira Gandhi Priyadarshani Vivah Shagun Yojana, Haryana Govt.
48. Indira Mahila Yojana Scheme, Meghalaya Govt
49. Indira Gandhi Calf Rearing Scheme, Chhattisgarh Govt.
50. Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Vivah Shagun Yojana, Haryana Govt.
51. Indira Gandhi Calf Rearing Scheme, The government of Andhra Pradesh
helped most of the respondent families in acquiring female calves through
this scheme.
52. Indira Gandhi Landless Agriculture Labour scheme, Maharashtra Govt.
Sports/Tournaments/ Trophies:

1. Rajiv Gandhi Gold Cup Kabaddi Tournament
2. Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Run
3. Rajiv Gandhi Federation Cup boxing championship
4. Rajiv Gandhi International tournament (football)
...5. NSCI – Rajiv Gandhi road races, New Delhi
6. Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race, Kerala
7. Rajiv Gandhi International Artistic Gymnastic Tournament
8. Rajiv Gandhi Kabbadi Meet
9. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Roller Skating Championship
10. Rajiv Gandhi memorial marathon race, New Delhi
11. Rajiv Gandhi International Judo Championship, Chandigarh
12. Rajeev Gandhi Memorial Trophy for the Best College, Calicut
13. Rajiv Gandhi Rural Cricket Tournament, Initiated by Rahul Gandhi in
Amethi
14. Rajiv Gandhi Gold Cup (U-21), football
15. Rajiv Gandhi Trophy (football)
16. Rajiv Gandhi Award for Outstanding Sportspersons
17. All Indira Rajiv Gandhi Basketball (Girls) Tournament, organized by Delhi
State
18. All India Rajiv Gandhi Wrestling Gold Cup, organized by Delhi State
19. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Jhopadpatti Football Tournament, Rajura
20. Rajiv Gandhi International Invitation Gold Cup Football Tournament,
Jamshedpur
21. Rajiv Gandhi Mini Olympics, Mumbai
22. Rajiv Gandhi Beachball Kabaddi Federation
23. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Trophy Prerana Foundation
24. International Indira Gandhi Gold Cup Tournament
25. Indira Gandhi International Hockey Tournament
26. Indira Gandhi Boat Race
27. Jawaharlal Nehru International Gold Cup Football Tournament.
28. Jawaharlal Nehru Hockey TournamentSee More
Stadium:

1. Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, Delhi
2. Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi
3. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
4. Rajiv Gandhi Sports Stadium, Bawana
...5. Rajiv Gandhi National Football Academy, Haryana
6. Rajiv Gandhi AC Stadium, Vishakhapatnam
7. Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Pondicherry
8. Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Nahariagun, Itanagar
9. Rajiv Gandhi Badminton Indoor Stadium, Cochin
10. Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Kadavanthra, Ernakulam
11. Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex , Singhu
12. Rajib Gandhi Memorial Sports Complex, Guwahati
13. Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
14. Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Cochin
15. Indira Gandhi Stadium, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
16. Indira Gandhi Stadium, Una, Himachal Pradesh
17. Indira Priyadarshini Stadium, Vishakhapatnam
18. Indira Gandhi Stadium, Deogarh, Rajasthan
19. Gandhi Stadium, Bolangir, Orissa

Airports/ Ports :

1. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, New Hyderabad, A.P.
2. Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal, Cochin
3. Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi
4. Indira Gandhi Dock, Mumbai
5. Jawaharlal Nehru Nava Sheva Port Trust, Mumbai
Total budgetary plan outlay 2008-9 - 69.92crore
Total budgetary plan outlay 2009-10 – 324 crore

Universities/ Education Institutes:

1. Rajiv Gandhi Indian Institute of Management, Shilong
2. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics, Ranchi, Jharkhand
3. Rajiv Gandhi Technical University, Gandhi Nagar, Bhopal, M.P.
4. Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law, Kharagpur, Kolkata
5. Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy, Secundrabad
6. Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala, Punjab
7. Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Tamil Nadu Ministry
of Youth Affairs and Sports
Budgetary Allocation 2008-09 – 1.50 crore
Budgetary Allocation 2009-10 – 3.00 crore
8. Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy, Begumpet, Hyderabad, A.P
9. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Kottayam, Kerala
10. Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering Research & Technology,
Chandrapur, Maharashtra
11. Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
12. Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh
13. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Chola Nagar, Bangalore, Karnataka
14. Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, Gandhi Nagar, Bhopal, M.P.
15. Rajiv Gandhi D.e.d. College, Latur, Maharashtra
16. Rajiv Gandhi College, Shahpura, Bhopal
17. Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies,
New Delhi
18. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Raebareli, U.P.
19. Rajiv Gandhi Homeopathic Medical College, Bhopal, M.P.
20. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Post Graduate Studies, East Godavari District,
A.P.
21. Rajiv Gandhi College of Education, Thumkur, Karnataka
22. Rajiv Gandhi College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Pondicherry,
Tamil Nadu
23. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of IT and Biotechnology, Bhartiya Vidhyapeeth
24. Rajiv Gandhi High School, Mumbai, Maharashtra
25. Rajiv Gandhi Group of Institutions, Satna, M.P.
26. Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering, Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu
27. Rajiv Gandhi Biotechnology Centre, R.T.M., Nagpur University
28. Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
29. Rajiv Gandhi Mahavidyalaya, Madhya Pradesh
30. Rajiv Gandhi Post Graduate College, Allahabad, U.P.
31. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Bangalore, Karnataka
32. Rajiv Gandhi Govt. PG Ayurvedic College, Poprola, Himachal Pradesh
33. Rajiv Gandhi College, Satna, M.P.
34. Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
35. Rajiv Gandhi Madhyamic Vidyalaya, Maharashtra
36. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Contemporary Studies, Islamabad, Pakistan
37. Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
38. Rajiv Gandhi Industrial Training Centre, Gandhinagar
39. Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, Andhra Pradesh
40. Rajiv Gandhi Institute Of Distance Education, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
41. Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture , Tamil Nadu
42. Rajiv Gandhi University (Arunachal University), A.P.
43. Rajiv Gandhi Sports Medicine Centre (RGSMC), Kerela
44. Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre, Mauritus
45. Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, Ponda, Goa
46. Rajiv Gandhi Vidyalaya, Mulund, Mumbai
47. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Polytechnic, Bangalore, Karnataka
48. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Circle Telecom Training Centre (India), Chennai
49. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Pharmacy, Kasagod, Kerala
50. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial College Of Aeronautics, Jaipur
51. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial First Grade College, Shimoga
52. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial College of Education, Jammu & Kashmir
53. Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Barkacha, Varanasi
54. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Teacher’s Training College, Jharkhand
55. Rajiv Gandhi Degree College, Rajahmundry, A.P.
56. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
57. Indira Gandhi Institute of Development & Research, Mumbai,
Maharashtra
58. Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun
59. Indira Gandhi RashtriyaUran Akademi, Fursatganj Airfield, Rae Bareli,
Uttar Pradesh
60. Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai
61. Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Orissa
62. Indira Gandhi B.Ed. College, Mangalore
63. Smt. Indira Gandhi College of Education, Nanded, Maharashtra
64. Indira Gandhi Balika Niketan B.ED. College, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan
65. Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Madhya Pradesh
66. Smt. Indira Gandhi College of Engineering, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
67. Smt. Indira Gandhi Colelge, Tiruchirappalli
68. Indira Gandhi Engineering College, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh
69. Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology, Kashmere Gate, Delhi
70. Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology, Sarang, Dist. Dhenkanal, Orissa
71. Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics, Pune, Maharashtra
72. Indira Gandhi Integral Education Centre, New Delhi
73. Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education & Sports Sciences,
Delhi University, Delhi
74. Indira Gandhi High School, Himachal
75. Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya, Chhattisgarh
76. Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla
77. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kukatpally, Andhra Pradesh
78. Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarakashi
79. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Business Management, Vikram
University
80. Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
81. Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore
82. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kukatpally, AP
83. Jawaharlal Nehru Engineering College in Aurangabad, Maharashtra
84. Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for advanced Scientific Research, a deemed
university, Jakkur, P.O. Bangalore
85. Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Social Studies, affiliated to Tilak
Maharashtra Vidyapith (Pune, Maharashtra)
86. Jawaharlal Nehru College of Aeronautics & Applied Sciences,
Coimbatore, (ESTD 1968)
87. Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Technology, Katraj, Dhankwdi, Pune,
Maharashtra
88. Kamal Kishore Kadam’s Jawaharlal Nehru Engineering College in Aurangabad,
Maharashtra
89. Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Education & Technological Research,
Nanded, Maharashra
90. Jawaharlal Nehru College, Aligarh
91. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad
92. Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur
93. Jawaharlal Nehru B.Ed. College, Kota, Rajasthan
94. Jawaharlal Nehru P.G. College, Bhopal
95. Jawaharlal Nehru Government Engineering College, Sundernagar, District
Mandi, H.P.
96. Jawaharlal Nehru PublicSchool, Kolar Road, Bhopal
97. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada, A.P.
98. Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Technology, Ibrahimpatti, Andhra Pradesh
Awards:

1. Rajiv Gandhi Award for Outstanding Achievement
2. Rajiv Gandhi Shiromani Award
3. Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Awards, Delhi Labour Welfare Board
4. Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award
...5. Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award
6. Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award
7. Rajiv Gandhi National Award Scheme for Original Book Writing on Gyan
Vigyan
8. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
9. Rajiv Gandhi National Quality Award, Instituted by Bureau of Indian
Standards in 1991
10. Rajiv Gandhi Environment Award for Clean Technology, Ministry of
Environment & Forest, Govt. of India
11. RajivGandhi Travelling Scholarship
12. Rajiv Gandhi(UK) Foundation Scholarship
13. Rajiv Gandhi Film Awards (Mumbai)
14. Rajiv Gandhi Khelratna Puraskar
15. Rajiv Gandhi Parisara Prashasti, Karnataka
16. RajivGandhi Vocational Excellence Awards
17. Rajiv Gandhi Excellence award
18. Indira Gandhi Peace Prize
19. Indira Gandhi Prize for National Integration
20. Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award
21. Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Awards, Ministry of Environment and
Forests
22. Indira Gandhi Memorial National Award forBest Environmental &
Ecological
23. Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Purashkar
24. Indira Gandhi NSS Award
25. Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration
26. Indira Gandhi Official Language Award Scheme
27. Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film
28. Indira Gandhi Rajbhasha Awards for The Town Official Language
29. Indira Gandhi Prize� for Peace, Disarmament and Development
30. Indira Gandhi Prize for Popularization of Science
31. Implementation
32. Indira Gandhi Shiromani Award
33. Indira Gandhi NSS Award/National Youth
34. Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Pushar award – search n correct
35. Indira Gandhi N.S.S Awards
36. Indira Gandhi award for social service, MP Govt.
37. Post Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship Scheme
38. Indira Gandhi Rajbhasha Award Scheme
39. Indira Gandhi Rajbhasha Shield Scheme
40. Indira Gandhi Vision of Wildlife Conservation Zoo, a seminar organized by
Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy.
41. Jawaharlal Nehru award for International peace worth Rs 15 lakh cash
given to many international figures, every year, including Yasser Arafat of
Palestine Liberation Front in 1988 and U Thant in 1965.
42. Soviet Land Nehru Award, a cash prize of Rs. 20,000 given to Shyam
Benegal in Dec 89, in recognition of the above film.
43. Jawaharlal Nehru Balkalyan awards of Rs.10,000 each to 10 couples by
Govt. of Maharashtra (ToI-28-4-89) .
44. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, New Delhi, for Academic Achievement
45. Jawaharlal Nehru birth centenary research award for energy
46. Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding
47. Nehru Bal Samiti Bravery Awards
48. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Medal
49. Jawaharlal Nehru Prize� from 1998-99, to be given to organizations (preferably
NGOs) for Popularization of Science.
50. Jawaharlal Nehru National Science Competition
51. Jawarharlal Nehru Student Award for research project of evolution of DNA
Scholarship / Fellowship:

1. Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship Scheme for Students with Disabilities
2. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme for SC/ST Candidates, Ministry of
Social Justice and Empowerment
Budgetary Allocation for 2008-9 – 26.40 cror...es
Budgetary Allocation for 2009-10 – 23.70 crores
3. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme for ST Candidates
Budgetary Allocation for 2008-09 – 29.00 crores
Budgetary Allocation for 2009-10 – 42.00 crores
4. Rajiv Gandhi Fellowship, IGNOU
5. Rajiv Gandhi Science Talent Research Fellows
6. Rajiv Gandhi Fellowship, Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Budgetary Allocation for 2008-9 - 16.00 crores
Budgetary Allocation for 2009-10 – 22.50 crores
7. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme for scheduled castes and scheduled
tribes candidates given by University Grants Commission
8. Rajiv Gandhi Fellowship sponsored by the Commonwealth of Learning in
association with Indira Gandhi National Open University
9. Rajiv Gandhi science talent research fellowship given by Jawaharlal Nehru
Centre for advanced scientific research (to promote budding scientists) done
in tandem with Department of Science and Technology and Rajiv Gandhi
Foundation
10. Rajiv Gandhi HUDCO Fellowships in the Habitat Sector (to promote research
in the field of sustainable Habitat development) for MPhil, {PhD Students for
2 to 3 years, conferred by HUDCO
11. Indira Gandhi Memorial Fellowships check
12. Fullbright scholarship now renamed Fullbright- Jawaharlal Nehru
Scholarship
13. Cambridge Nehru Scholarships, 10 in number, for research at Cambridge
University, London, leading to Ph. D. for 3 years, which include fee,
maintenance allowance, air travel to UK and back.
14. Scheme of Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowships for Post-graduate Studies, Govt.
of India.
15. Nehru Centenary (British) Fellowships/ Awards

National Parks/ Sanctuaries/ Museums:

1. Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarhole) Wildlife Sanctury, Karnataka
2. Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctury, Andhra Pradesh
3. Indira Gandhi National Park, Tamil Nadu
4. Indira Gandhi Zoological Park , New Delhi
...5. Indira Gandhi National Park, Anamalai Hills on Western Ghats
6. Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Vishakhapatnam
7. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS)
8. Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Pollachi
9. Rajiv Gandhi Health Museum
10. The Rajiv Gandhi Museum of Natural History
11. Indira Gandhi Memorial museum, New Delhi
12. Jawaharlal Nehru museum in Aurangabad, Maharashtra opened by state govt.
13. Jawaharlal Nehru memorial Gallery, London
14. Jawaharlal Nehru planetarium, Worli, Mumbai.
15. Jawaharlal Nehru National Science Exhibition for Children

Hospitals/Medical Institutions:

1. Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Science, Bangalore, Karnataka
2. Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, Delhi
3. Rajiv Gandhi Home for Handicapped, Pondicherry
4. Shri Rajiv Gandhi college of Dental... Science & Hospital, Bangalore,
Karnataka
5. Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Bio Technology, Thiruvanthapuram, Kerala
6. Rajiv Gandhi College of Nursing, Bangalore, Karnataka
7. Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital, Raichur
8. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases, Bangalore, Karnataka
9. Rajiv Gandhi Paramedical College, Jodhpur
10. Rajiv Gandhi Medical College, Thane, Mumbai
11. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Pharmacy, Karnataka
12. Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, Goa
13. Rajiv Gandhi Mission on Community Health, Madhya Pradesh
14. Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi
15. Rajiv Gandhi Homoeaopathic Medical College, Chinar Park, Bhopal, M.P
16. North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical
Sciences , Shilong, Meghalaya
17. Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla
18. Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Bangalore
19. Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sheikhpura, Patna
20. The Indira Gandhi Paediatric Hospital, Afghanistan
21. Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health Hospital, Dharmaram College,
Bangalore
22. Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Heath, Bangalore
23. Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla
24. Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Science, Kerala
25. Indira Gandhi Memorial Ayurvedic Medical College & Hospital,
Bhubaneshwar
26. Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur
27. Indira Gandhi Eye Hospital And Research Centre, Kolkata
28. Indira Gandhi Hospital, Shimla
29. Indira Gandhi Women and Children Hospital , Bhopla
30. Indira Gandhi Gas Relief hospital, Bhopal
31. Kamla Nehru Hospital, Shimla
32. Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya
33. Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research
(JIPMER), Puducherry
Budgetary Allocation 2008-09 – 127.84 crores
Budgetary Allocation 2009-10 – 117.51 crores
34. Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Bhopal
35. Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in Raipur.
36. Nehru Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, New Delhi
37. Nehru, Science Centre, Worli, Mumbai
38. Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Bhopal
39. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Homoeopathic Medical Sciences,
Maharashtra

Institutions / Chairs / Festivals:

1. Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development. (RGNIYD), Ministry
of Youth and Sports
2. Rajiv Gandhi National Ground Water Training & Research Institute,
Faridabad, Haryana
3. Rajiv Gandhi Food Secu...rity Mission in Tribal Areas
4. Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development
5. Rajiv Gandhi Shiksha Mission, Chhattisgarh
6. Rajiv Gandhi Chair Endowment established in 1998 to create a Chair of
South Asian Economics
7. Rajiv Gandhi Project – A pilot to provide Education thru Massive Satellite
Connectivity up grassroot Level
8. Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation Limited (Government of Karnataka
Enterprise)
9. Rajiv Gandhi Information and Technology Commission
10. Rajiv Gandhi Chair for Peace and Disarmament
11. Rajiv Gandhi Music Festival
12. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Lecture
13. Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas
14. Rajiv Gandhi Education Foundation, Kerala
15. Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Convention
16. The Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Educational and Charitable Society,
Kasagod,Kerala
17. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial trophy ekankika spardha, Prerana Foundation, Kari
Road
18. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Janpath, New Delhi
19. Indira Gandhi Panchayati Raj & Gramin Vikas Sansthan, Jaipur,
Rajasthan
20. Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam
21. Indira Gandhi Institute for Development and Research , Mumbai
22. Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology (IGIC), Patna
23. Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts, New Delhi
24. Indira Gandhi National Foundation, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
25. Indira Gandhi Mahila Sahakari Soot Girani Ltd, Maharashtra
26. Indira Gandhi Conservation Monitoring Centre , Ministry of Environment
& Forest
27. Post-Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child
28. Jawahar Shetkari Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd.
29. Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan
30. Jawaharlal Nehru Centenary celebrations
31. Postal stamps of different denominations and one Rupee coins in memory of
Jawaharlal Nehru.
32. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Trust (U.K.) Scholarships
33. Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House Nhava Sheva, Maharashtra
34. Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for. Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore
35. Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, Embassy of India, Moscow
36. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Udyog Kendra for Juveniles, Pune, Maharastra
37. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru college of Agriculture and Research institute ,
Pondicherry

Roads/Buildings/ places:

1. Rajiv Chowk, Delhi
2. Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Safdarjung, New Delhi
3. Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhawan, New Delhi
4. Rajiv Gandhi Park, Kalkaji, Delhi
...5. Indira Chowk, New Delhi
6. Nehru Planetarium, New Delhi
7. Nehru Yuvak Kendra, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
8. Nehru Nagar, New Delhi
9. Nehru Place, New Delhi
10. Nehru Park, New Delhi Nehru House, BSZ Marg, New Delhi
11. Jawaharlal Nehru Government House New Delhi
12. Rajiv Gandhi Renewable Energy Park, Gurgaon, Haryana
13. Rajiv Gandhi Chowk, Andheri, Mumbai
14. Indira Gandhi Road, Mumbai
15. Indira Gandhi Nagar, Wadala, Mumbai
16. Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, Mulund, Mumbai
17. Nehru Nagar, Kurla, Mumbai
18. Jawaharlal Nehru gardens at Thane, Mumbai
19. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Hall, Chennai
20. Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Vadapalani, Chennai, Tamilnadu
21. Rajiv Gandhi Salai (Old Mahabalipuram road named after Rajiv Gandhi)
22. Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Haryana
23. Mount Rajiv, a peak in Himalaya
24. Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat, Goa
25. Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Chennai
26. Rajiv Gandhi Park, Vijayawada
27. Rajiv Gandhi Nagar in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
28. Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Trichy, Tamil Nadu
29. Rajiv Gandhi IT Park, Hinjewadi, Pune
30. Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Bhav , Palanpur Banaskantha
31. Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Technology Park, Chandigarh
32. Rajiv Gandhi Smriti Van, Jharkhand
33. Rajiv Gandhi statue, Panaji, Goa
34. Rajiv Gandhi Road, Chittoor
35. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial at Sriperumbudur
36. Indira Gandhi Memorial Library, University of Hyderabad
37. Indira Gandhi Musical Fountains, Bangalore
38. Indira Gandhi Planetarium , Lucknow
39. Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (IGCIC), High Commission of
India, Mauritus
40. Indira Gandhi Zoological Park , Eastern Ghats of India
41. Indira Gandhi Canal, Ramnagar, Jaisalmer
42. Indira Gandhi Industrial Complex, Ranipet, Vellore District
43. Indira Gandhi Park, Itanagar
44. Indira Gandhi Squiare , Pondicherry
45. Indira Gandhi Road, Willingdon Island, Cochin
46. Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Kashmir
47. Indira Gandhi Sagar Dam, Nagpur
48. Indira Gandhi bridge, Rameshvar, Tamil Nadu
49. Indira Gandhi Hospital, Bhiwandi Nizampur Municipal Corporation
50. Indira Gandhi memorial cultural Complex, UP Govt.
51. Indira Gandhi Sports Stadium , Rohru District, Shimla
52. Indira Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sansthan , Bhopal
53. Indira Gandhi Nagar, Rajasthan
54. Indira Nagar, Lucknow
55. Roads are named after Jawaharlal Nehru in many cities e.g. in Jaipur,
Nagpur, Vile Parle, Ghatkopar, Mulund etc.
56. Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad
57. Jawaharlal Nehru Gardens, Ambarnath
58. Jawarharlal Nehru Gardens, Panhala
59. Jawaharlal Nehru market, Jammu.
60. Jawaharlal Nehru Tunnel on the Jammu Srinagar Highway
61. Nehru Chowk, Ulhas Nagar, Maharashtra.
62. Nehru Bridge on the river Mandvi, Panaji, Goa
63. Nehru Nagar Ghaziabad
64. Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Dharmatala, Kolkata
65. Nehru Road, Guwahati
66. Jawahar Nagar, Jaipur
67. Nehru Vihar Colony, Kalyanpur, Lucknow
68. Nehru Nagar, Patna
69. Jawaharlal Nehru Street, Pondicherry
70. Nehru Bazaar, Madanapalli, Tirupathi
71. Nehru Chowk, Bilaspur. M.P
72. Nehru Street, Ponmalaipatti, Tiruchirapalli
73. Nehru Nagar, S.M. Road, Ahmedabad
74. Nehru Nagar,. Nashik Pune Road
& many more........
God save this country. Looks like no other beings than these 3 (Nehru-Indira- Rajiv) contributed to India.
Very soon two more names will be added in their life time itself - you know which ones. These two new names will ultimately overtake the other three.
And of course no one is bothered about Mahatma Gandhi - forget about the other lesser beings like Subhash Chandra Bose, Vallabh Bhai Patel, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Lal Bahadur Shastri and so on.

Making a mark : 3 Indian companies in the top 15 of Forbes list of most Innovative

It is heartening to see the 3 names in the top 15. One of them a public sector to the boot !!!

           Hindustan Unilever @ # 6
           BHEL @ # 9
   and  Infosys @ # 15

While I do know that many of us may not agree with either the list or the methodology. It is indeed a significant event to see these companies in the spots that they've got

Is this a precursor of things to come ? Hopefully so....
__________________________

Rank	Company	5-Year Avg. Sales Growth (%)	5-Year Avg. Net Income Growth (%)	Enterprise Value ($bil)	Innovation Premium*
1	Salesforce.com	39.5	78.7	20.7	75.1
2	Amazon.com	32.0	37.6	92.7	58.9
3	Intuitive Surgical	43.4	36.4	13.4	57.6
4	Tencent Holdings	69.0	75.4	46.5	52.3
5	Apple	35.1	60.7	303.4	48.2
6	Hindustan Unilever	10.0	4.0	15.5	47.7
7	Google	35.0	37.1	138.1	44.9
8	Natura Cosméticos	17.0	13.5	10.2	44.5
9	Bharat Heavy Electricals	27.2	25.0	19.5	43.6
10	Monsanto	13.4	44.7	41.3	42.6
11	Reckitt Benckiser Group	15.1	18.6	43.4	40.6
12	Celgene	46.3	81.1	27.5	40.5
13	Nidec	5.1	5.0	15.2	40.0
14	Terumo	5.8	-0.1	10.7	38.0
15	Infosys	23.6	22.7	34.3	37.1

Democracy : Now we have a government's definition of the term ?

I've been restraining myself from posting on the hottest topic around today - Anna Hazare, Baba Ramdev and the Congress responses simply because of 2 reasons
  - I thought we had great representations from across the country and I'd not really be adding value to the discussion ?
  - Frankly, am not an admirer of Baba Ramdev and his ilk ?

I feel now that I thought wrong ?

What seems to be happening is that there seems to be a NEW definition of democracy !

Sample this :
When Baba Ramdev jumped into the fray the first official statement from the ruling party was
"Baba Ramdev is supposed to be a Yogi - let him stick to that and not get into politics" ?

   Huh ?

Who gave the "birthright" to the current politicians to play in the arena of politics and took away that right from a citizen of a democratic country ?
Are we so stuck in our social lineage that we now believe that the right to politics is always INHERITED ??

When Anna Hazare and the team demanded that the PMO & Judiciary be included in Jan Lokpal bill, the official statement was
"The parliament is supreme and civil society should not be dictating term to parliament"

  Huh ?

Since when did the government become "supreme" and "above" the will of the people (that too in a democracy) ?.

Today, I understand from the papers that the ruling party is now going to go on the "OFFENSIVE" by launching it's own counter protest on Jun 26 at Raipur against the civil society ? stating that the original protests were politically motivated ?

  Huh ?

Is that not what is being pushed for on Jun 26 ! A political agenda ??

I only hope that there is no untoward incident in the meeting : Like the one in Delhi, where so many citizens were hurt / caned while the government (nay - protectors) was trying to PROTECT THEM FROM POSSIBLE DANGER !

What seems to be in danger is the meaning of the word DEMOCRACY :-(

Google Art Project : Is this a precursor to armchair travelogues ?

If you have not already looked at this site, I suggest you do. Except, you'll need to access this from a non-iPAD interface (Adobe Flash). It is brilliant in the manner that google earth / google maps structuring has been incorporated into the museum walk-through.

I still need to see if I can make this work with the Wii interface so that there is better immersion experience - that would be just AWESOME !


Longer term, I think this is a precursor to the way tourism is going to develop. It is so much easier to do a preview in this fashion even if you are going to want to see the spot physically ?

I now need to figure out a way to apply this to an online version of a science exhibition !

Maybe, I'll put out a request for some college interns to help me in this process ?
So much to do !!

1.21 Billion and counting : Need a detailed analysis of the Census data

Am trying to get my hands onto the new census data. While I've read the headline stuff that appears in the newspapers, I think it is good for people (who're interested / who've the inclination) to review the data and try to come up with their own conclusions.

Just as any statistics that is an aggregation, am convinced that the headlines do not do justice to the real trends / swings that tend to be regional and time specific.

For example, let us consider the sex-ratio. While the overall trend looks promising, we need to consider this w.r.t the fact that from a timing perspective. The "sex determination" tests came into popularity / notoriety only in the latter half of the nineties. The period from 1994-2003 when the Supreme court finally imposed the ban was more or less a free-for-all @ the smaller clinics.

We should read this in the context that the 0-6 year old growth trend has shown a negative rate of -3.8% for females. That falls into the prime "ban" implementation period between 2003-2004 through till 2010 !

I wonder what other nasty (or otherwise) surprises are in store ?

Indian Media : Television abdicating it's responsibility ?

Given the fact that I've been in the grip of a viral fever, the last few days have been spent @ home with only some novels and the TV to keep company. This background is to simply establish that some of us do not watch the "general news" on TV during the day as we'd expect most of the country to do ?

I've been shocked at the level of reporting. All of news seems to be a public "washing" of just a few / very meager facts with LOADS of "spin".

A typical section on the Aarushi case, as an example, will have atleast 4 people (all with hidden agendas IMHO) sitting on a panel with the presumption that their viewpoint needs to be heard. Not once, but, repeated a few hundred times over the next few hours. Maybe this is how we make opinions ?

There is absolutely NO CHANNEL that seems to be asking basic / structural questions related to solving the problem instead of sensationalizing them
For example,
   a. Obviously, the collection of evidence left much to be asked for. However, nobody, is asking the real question as to why - as a nation with such a large IPS training infrastructure, we cannot seem to address this structurally. Is there a long term lesson that will be established ? Do we think CBI is that 'only' agency ?
 
   b. I'm sure much will be made of the number of switches in the investigation team - UP police, CBI team 1, CBI team 2 etc. Is this going to continue in the future ?. I'm sure my detractors will cite the infamous friction between teams as in FBI / State police as examples of this, but, atleast these team changes do not happen AN YEAR or so later when all the evidence is suspect ? What are we trying to achieve.

   c. There will also be debate on arrival of new witnesses at a late stage. Isn't witness presentation a long term problem that has been glaringly inoperative ? The Jessica Lall murder case is a prime example. As a nation we desperately need a witness protection program and NOBODY in the media seems to raise this ?

I, for one, feel that the Media has the responsibility - nay DUTY to look at issues and bring about public opinion to bear about structural changes. It has NO business sitting in a jury seat influencing public opinions (esp those sub-judice) just to get TRPs. Have we forgotten that a media trail is no different than the witch hunts of the yore ?

Ages ago, when asked to comment upon my opinion as to why the average Joe in the US thought of his county / state and at max Washington as his world compared to the typical John in the UK. I had surmised that the TV news was the reason. No local US channel does a fraction of the job that a BBC does locally. Although, I'm sure commercially, they have a larger following.

Is India headed the same way ?

Are we going to be a nation who fed on "Instant News - 2 minute noodle style". Get the snippet and transmit the hell out of it. Who cares about analysis / intelligence or just plain due diligence of responsible reporting ?

Bureaucrats & Politicians : The bane of India - who is more to blame ?

I've been watching the news related to all the scams very avidly. It is interesting to note that for the first time (2G scam), there seems to be a clear acknowledgment publicly to the bureaucrat / politician and business (money) nexus.

While, I agree that the focus on Mr. Raja and his political party is newsworthy, I'm surprised that there has been very little noise on the culpability of the 'executive' arm of the government ie. the Bureaucrats. 

I've long held the opinion that these non-elected (or rather selected !) elite of the country have done more harm that the politicians in propagating the servitude and feudal / colonial heritage. They clearly see themselves as "ruler" class and the citizen of the country (esp. the poor villager / aam aadmi) as the "ruled".

It pains me to see these individual farmers / villagers queue up to a local government office and stand with their hands folded in submission asking for information related to some file. Only to be told in most cases to come the next day as the individual officer does not have the time ?

Last week, I was surprised to listen to a retired bureaucrat flay his elk in public. His statement that these individuals seemed to have struggled only once in their lives ie when they took the appropriate examination - IAS, IPS etc and post the passing of the examination, most never seemed to have the need to apply their brains / intellect again. Implying that "servitude" to senior officers would be enough for growth !

Another observation was that the politicians have to be more responsive to common problems and issues and are generally so as compared to the executive. Infact, in most villages today, the politician's value is all the more where he/she moves the executive to RESPOND. Atleast, the politicians' agenda in keeping this role very clear. What about the unknown / hidden agenda of the bureaucrat ?

How do we make our bureaucracy more responsive / how do we reform them ?

2010 - An year of change and that is not just for me :-)

I was recently sent a note off my LinkedIn account. They are tracking the number of people who've changed their jobs in last year. I was more than "surprised" to look at this number for my contacts list !
More than 111 PEOPLE (out of my current network of 530 odd people) seem to have changed their Jobs in their profile. This is not just a designation / responsibility change, but, a change at their work.


Mmmmm.... Is this an indication of some sorts for the industry as a whole ?
Or, is it just coincidence that people I know have come around to that time of their career that they seem to have looked out for change ? Makes me wonder ....

What is clear is that there is an underlying change in the market sentimentality that seems to be driving movement. I hope this is for the better ?

11000 H1 Visas still available @ YE 2010 : Or, the economics of labour migration

I'm sure this fact is going to be bandied about in the days to come. There are 11000 H1B's left at the end of 2010 as per USCIS stats ? Does it mean the rush for H1's is over ? Is this the end of an epoch ?

I think there is some real economic lessons to be learnt here. While the economic downturn has been the stated reason, I'm sure part (or rather a MAJOR part) is owed to the fact that there has been a new $2000 increase in the fee for filing H1s.

While $2000 may not sound big in the scale of things, I think this was sufficient discouragement (or should I say disinvestment) to prevent organizations from filing blanket H1s and then putting people on hold until the project came through ?

It'll be interesting to study this in greater detail from a cause-effect process if not in the coming years, atleast over a window of 7 years ?
Also interesting would be to look at the reverse impact on the Indian IT front ?

Given the tightening of process @ both US and UK entries, I'm sure that there is going to be some much needed hiring "flex" available over the next few years esp. in the 5-9 year experience bracket.

A much needed "flex" if you ask my opinion !