10 Companies own almost EVERYTHING!!!

Stop Child Abuse

Here is a list of things you need to teach your Child(ren) at early age:

1: Warn your Girl Child Never to sit on anyone's laps no matter the situation including uncles.

2: Avoid Getting Dressed in front of your child once he/she is 2 years old. Learn to excuse them or yourself.

3. Never allow any adult refer to your child as 'my wife' or 'my husband'

4. Whenever your child goes out to play with friends make sure you look for a way to find out what kind of play they do, because young people now sexually abuse themselves.

5. Never force your child to visit any adult he or she is not comfortable with and also be observant if your child becomes too fond of a particular adult.

6. Once a very lively child suddenly becomes withdrawn you may need to patiently ask lots of questions from your child. 

7. Carefully educate your grown ups about the right values of sex . If you don't, the society will teach them the wrong values.

8: It is always advisable you go through any new Material like cartoons you just bought for them before they start seeing it themselves.

9. Ensure you activate parental controls on your cable networks and advice your friends especially those your child(ren) visit(s) often.

10. Teach your 3 year olds how to wash their private parts properly and warn them never to allow anyone touch those areas and that

includes you (remember, charity begins from home and with you).

11: Blacklist some materials/associates you think could threaten the sanity of your child (this includes music, movies and even friends and families).

12. Let your child(ren) understand the value of standing out of the

crowd.

13: Once your child complains about a particular person, don't keep quiet about it.

Branded vs Generic

(Pic Courtesy: cp-frijolita.blogspot.com) 

After the episode on 'Healthcare in India' in 'Satyameva Jayate', I noticed that a lot of people have been showing interest towards opening a generic medicine store. If the initial zealousness does not fade away and some of these people actually open a store, it would be great.

However, with my limited understanding of the healthcare sector, I feel that branded drugs should not be totally 'penalized'. Branded drugs are the 'original' drugs. When I say original, I do not mean to suggest that others are fake. I mean branded drugs are the ones that were 'discovered'. 

Any new drug goes through a lengthy life cycle before it is considered a success/failure. Companies spend millions on drug discovery. Most experiments fail and some manage to pass through all the phases, including clinical trials and are then launched in the market. These drugs initially enjoy a patent, which essentially mean that no one is allowed to 'copy the formula' and launch the product. Companies try to get as much return as possible during this phase of 'monopoly'.

Then the patent expires and the dream run ends. As soon as the patent expires, several companies launch their own version and these are the 'generic' drugs. Now, these new drugs do not involve any expenditure on research and development, clinical trials, possible law suits etc. In fact, they do not have to do a lot of advertising and promotion as well since people already know about the molecule. Hence, their costs are low and they are able to quote a lower price. Something that a branded drug cannot do as they need to get the returns for their investment.

Generic or the low cost drugs are definitely good, especially in a country like mine where affordability becomes a huge concern. However, branded drugs should not be totally discouraged as it would hamper the chances of new drug discovery. I feel what needs to be done is to ensure that companies do not charge insane money for their drugs. Generics should be promoted but it should also be ensured that the drug discoverer is able to get adequate returns on investment. After all, that is the reward. 

Employment Visa to Malaysia: Some Doubts Cleared

The last one month that I spent in India was full of anxiety. I had to get my visa endorsed from the US High Commission and get a single entry visa to Malaysia. I was confused about the entire process as everyone had a different approach and suggestion in mind. Let me clarify a few doubts here;

• Attesting the Certificates: Once you get an offer letter from a company in Malaysia, you will be required to submit the copy of your certificates along with other documents. The certificates include education certificates, marriage certificate (for dependents visa for spouse) and birth certificate (for dependents visa for children). They ask you to get the copies attested from the High Commission of Malaysia or the Malaysian embassy before sending it to the employer in Malaysia to submit the application for employment pass. You do not need to get the certificates attested by the embassy/High Commission. Just get them notorized from a notary and they will accept it.
• Calling Visa: The calling visa will be sent to you by your employer. Now, there is a difference in calling visas from Malaysia and it depends upon how your employer is set-up in Malaysia. For any general employer, the letter has to come in a sealed envelope and it cannot be opened by the employer, candidate or any agent. It has to be opened by the embassy officials only. However, some companies have a different status in Malaysia. Their calling visas are issued by MSC and they are sent electronically by the employer. It seems, not many companies fall under such category and thus there is a little lack of knowledge about MSC in India
• Getting Single Entry Visa in India: One has the option to go to Malaysian embassies in Delhi, Mumbai or Chennai however, it needs to be pointed out in the beginning as it would be mentioned in the calling visa. There are loads of agents that can get the visa processed but most of them do not have much idea about the employment visas, especially when the calling visa has come from MSC. The agents keep asking about the sealed envelope, which the candidate will not have in case of a calling visa issued by MSC. The best way of getting the visa is through VFS. They have centers in major cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad....not sure about Bangalore) in India. It is the fastest and most economical way of getting the single entry visa processed. Even the officials of the embassy/High Commission ask you to get the application routed through VFS. And I must add that I found VFS extremely professional. They know all the requirements. Unlike the regular agents, VFS representatives knew about MSC
• Once Single Entry Visa is issued, a candidate has to travel to Malaysia and then the employer submits the application for the employment pass or long term multiple entry visa. Please note that the calling visa that will be sent to you will mention the duration of the visa. In my case, it is 3 years. Yet, you will be issued only a single entry visa in India and the long term visa will be issued only in Malaysia.
• Tax structure in Malaysia: Though this point is not relevant to visas, I would like to clarify it as there is lot of confusion about this. Expats have to pay flat 28-30% tax but if the employer has the special status (if the calling visa has been issued by MSC), then the tax would be much lower. I am yet to get my first salary but I have been told that the tax should be in the range of 12-15%. Much better, isn't it?

I hope this clarifies some of the doubts. In case you have any questions, please feel free to reach me on animesh.ajaykumar@gmail.com or on +60176675620