Smallpox

It is a long time since I wrote in this blog.
In Tamil nadu as perhaps all over India, small pox was considered a visitation by the goddess. It was forbidden for any outsider to enter the house in which a person suffered from small pox or even chicken pox or measles. A bunch of Neem leaves was hung on the door which meant even beggars were not to ask for alms. Noone entered the house.  It was believed that the patient would get worse and die if any outsider came near or even set eyes on the patient. Also the family members could not visit any house, temple or Pooja or wedding until the infection cleared. When the scabs start to fall, the patient is given a bath. The next bath is the day after next and another one two days later. It is only after 3 baths that is, six days after the infection starts clearing that restrictions are lifted.
This superstition kept the disease from spreading too much, protected the community. If a simple advisory was given, noone would follow, but bringing in the goddess and her wrath ensured compliance.

BB services

This is the first time I have come across this one
BSNL has not paid its electricity bill. So they have cut power. Hence past 4 days we have no BB services in our area.
This is a new one for me. We are progressing!!

Sewer cleaning

There was a report that ₹10 lakhs were paid as compensation  to 210 people who died in sewers during manual cleaning. Here is a report that for  ₹5 lakhs we can get a robotic sewer cleaning machine. Even if we have no empathy for lost lives, at least to save money can we not buy these machines?

The study of population genetics has unveiled some interesting information.
 We all descend from some group that left Africa.
Other than the Africans, we all have some % of Neanderthal gene..
Interesting, specially for white supremacists.

Another report
https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/in-urban-up-87-of-waste-from-toilets-goes-to-rivers-farmlands/article25291914.ece
This is what is expected.
Initiatives are like kids games---make up as you go along.

It has been worrying that so many toilets are being constructed without proper disposal plan in case of need. The twin pit system , if built scientifically, does not need disposal. But in the get hurry to report ODF villages, I doubt if they are being built with care. So then if a flood innundates the area, can you imagine the state?
Here's a study
http://wateraidindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/SBMG-toilet-technology-report_online.pdf

why do officials play games?

The TRAI chief has challenged people to do something harmful with his aadhar number.
One point- does he assure the successful hacker, if any, immunity from prosecution or will he then say "Aha now YOU go to jail"?
Second point- maybe he doesn't mind his home address being public. Some would, particularly women.
Most women have experienced stalkers following them to the bus stop etc. Now if you gift him your home address, he's going to stalk you 24x7
Maybe they don't want their husbands to know their bank account number.........many women with drunkard husbands hide money for kids fees etc.
Old people would not like the world to know they live alone and where they bank.
Given time, I can make a mile long list of scenarios where privacy is essential for safety and well being.
I would like to point out that with 3d printers etc, someone can probably make a physical finger with your fingerprint. This can be used to access your bank account or vote in your name even if fingerprint verification is asked for, or .........frame you for murder!!
(This outlandish, though not impossible, thought comes to me because I used to watch CSI cyber- an interesting show sadly cut off in the middle of a season)

PS. What if someone buys a large amount of gold using Mr Sharma's PAN and other details. He may not have any problems, but anyone else would be spending the rest of their lives explaining to the income tax, if not  put behind bars.