Rajaratnam Abel

I did not want to let the passing days of the new year go by without wishing all of you a very happy new year 2023 with all the new possibilities at the door of each one.

I have stated that my busy commitments made me go slow in my postings. With the end of commitments in sight, I hope to post more in the coming weeks.

We all thought covid was over. We are learning different aspects of the lingering pandemic. I hope to share more about the problems related to the vaccines against covid.

There are issues emerging about long covid or the chronic form of the disease. The medical profession is learning from experience.

There has been a big debate about ivermectin in the treatment of covid. Newer information on this is also emerging.

There was always the question of whether anyone would challenge the high road taken by big pharma. Challenges have been made and it will be interesting how this pans out in the future.

Moving on to development economics, my delayed book in writing, I would like to share bits and pieces of what is emerging from that forthcoming book.

Finally, as I often do, around this time I would like to make my e- book available for free download from the following link for five days from 3-7 Jan 2023. Hope you will enjoy and share with those who might benefit. It is free for these 5 days.

I look forward to keeping in touch.

Rajaratnam Abel

This is my second visit to Hong Kong (HK) after 25 years. The transfer from the UK to China was taking place just then. In spite of the transfer the change seem to be gradual.

Two years ago when I wrote the small booklet on Covid, I started with Hong Kong’s experience. Now I can physically see their life style. Masking is 100%. Keeping pace with masking while outside all the time was not easy. A number others reminded often me that my mask was down.

One of the thoughts I present to my students is that HK is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. I could visualise it this time. There are only high rise apartments. There are hardly any single houses. Poverty appears to be hidden in these skyscrapers.

Using QR code efficiently is somthing we can learn from Hong Kong. The visa and health details were entered in India before I left India. QR code was issued. From arrival every contact is through the QR code. Till today we had an amber colour code restricting certain public movements. Today it turned green and that gives unrestricted movement. It removes long queues.

I hope to keep in touch through more frequent blogs.

This is an online survey being carried out by NCERT in planning a new curriculum. As I believe it is important that many people participate in this survey, I am posting it here. Click on the link to go to the survey.

It’s becoming more routine. Many who don’t wear their car seat tend to die in an accident.

He need not have fded. His co-passengers who wore their seat belts escaped death.

The message is clear.

Do I have to say more?

It’s been a long time since I posted last. I had problems with sharing through a major social media link. I took more time to solve the problem than it actually warranted.

I am not sure if my messages are coming through as it is on LinkedIn that I have the most viewers. I would value if those following me can comment if you have received this post by title.

It is not that I was idle during this period. I have mentioned earlier that I have been writing a book on ‘Development Economics.’ It has been a major challenge.

I thought it would be as simple as identifying the concepts of development economics and then linking my experience in poverty reduction with this concept.

It was not that simple. In one of my later blogs, I will share the experience I went through.

I have given my draft manuscript to one of my friends to write a foreword for the book. Then it will have to go to an editor to correct some of the mistakes, a book like this is likely to have.

Once my social media link is clear, I will share more from my book, hoping at least the economists will look at it critically.

I just wanted to break my silence. I hope to be back with more blogs in the coming weeks.

Rajaratnam Abel

Sometime back I indicated that with Covid becoming less, I am moving on to my priority of working on development economics. But Covid doesn’t seem to be going away.

I am tempted to write more about Covid. But I just don’t have the time to read to look and listen to videos of those I value.

I am reaching an important phase of writing my next book on Development Economics. So, I find it difficult to detach myself from that book.

I know many of you are interested in knowing the most current update on Covid. Therefore, I thought I’ll share some of the videos I would have watched and shared the information.

There are four that I would like to share with you.

One of the best to get the current information on Covid is Dr John Campbell. I have given the link to one of his videos. If you subscribe to his videos, then you will get them regularly.

The second one is a special online presentation by experts from CMC. The video is entitled as follows: Update on Omicron Variant. This presentation is purely medical looking at different areas. The link is given below.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cmc+vellore+omicron

The third one is also medical but looks at different aspects from time. I have given them according to the order of importance in terms of what you will learn. I have given the link below.

Dr Mike Hansen youtube

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dr+mike+hansen+omicron

The fourth one is research news from Johns Hopkins regarding the ineffectiveness of complete lockdowns. The link is given below

I thought this is the easiest way I can help you keep abreast with Covid as newer information becomes available.

Now coming to development economics. It has been both a challenge and an opportunity as I have been able to link up my lifetime experience with development economics. There are some interesting messages coming out. I will share these in due course of time.

I trust that you find this useful.

Rajaratnam Abel

Sometime back I indicated that with Covid becoming less, I am moving on to my priority of working on development economics. But Covid doesn’t seem to be going away.

I am tempted to write more about Covid. But I just don’t have the time to read, to look and listen to videos of those I value.

I am reaching an important phase of writing my next book on Development Economics. So, I find it difficult to detach myself from that book.

I know many of you are interested in knowing the most current update on Covid. Therefore, I thought I’ll share some of the videos I would have watched and shared the information.

There are three that I would like to share with you.

One of the best to get the current information on Covid is from Dr John Campbell. I have given the link to one of his videos. If you subscribe to his videos, then you will get them regularly.

The second one is a special online presentation by experts from CMC. The video is entitled as follows: Update on Omicron Variant. This presentation is purely medical looking at different areas. It is very informative and useful. The link is given below.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cmc+vellore+omicron

The third one is also medical but looks at different aspects from time to time. I have given the link below.

Dr Mike Hansen youtube

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dr+mike+hansen+omicron

I have given them according to the order of importance in terms of what you will learn.

I thought this is the easiest way I can help you keep abreast with Covid as newer information becomes available.

Now coming to development economics. It has been both a challenge and an opportunity as I have been able to link up my lifetime experience with development economics. There are some interesting messages coming out. I will share these in due course of time.

I trust that you find this useful.

Rajaratnam Abel

As a graduate of CMC Vellore and along with a number of my classmates, I’ve had the privilege of working in the needy areas of India. Therefore, it was heartwarming to hear from Mr Premji that he could see someone from CMC in the interior parts of India.

Just listen to his oration delivered in CMC on Dec 9^th.

The link to the oration is given in the link below.

https://tinyurl.com/yckv2x2j

I am sure you will enjoy listening to the oration.

I am sure at least some of you are interested in knowing the response to my last blog. Many had seen the blog and a few had liked it. Beyond that, there was no one who volunteered.

Am I disappointed? Yes? That was plan A. Now I will move on to plan B. I also have a plan C. Of course, if nothing clicks, it may take a little longer time for me to get the help of those I know and get the task done. The negative effect will be that my writing work will get delayed.

I realise that LinkedIn is probably not the proper forum for my request. Almost all are professionals busy with their own work who do not have time to volunteer.

One of the lessons I have learnt in life is to share both negative and positive outcomes. Most readers like that better than hiding apparent failures.

Last time I made available one of my books for free download. That book is still available in the following link for three more specific days – Dec 25, Jan 1 and Jan 14

But I would like to add one more book to this blog. It is the biography I had written on the life of Dr John Scudder: The world’s first medical missionary. He happens to be the grandfather of Dr Ida S Scudder the founder of CMC Vellore. It is available at the following links.

Global eBook Dr John Scudder http://tiny.cc/ob01tz 

Indian eBook Dr John Scudder http://tiny.cc/wb01tz

I hope you would enjoy these books.

May I wish a blessed Christmas to all who celebrate this event and a very happy new year 2022 to everyone.

Rajaratnam Abel

by

I had said earlier that I would be moving more into writing my next book. It has not been easy. My regular ongoing commitments make it difficult to spend the time I need for writing. This is only one part of the process. 

Publishing requires a number of more steps. Much of that work is software related. I am poor in that area. Trying to learn the skills needed is very time consuming and it affects my writing work. 

This is precisely where I need help. Someone with software skills in three specific areas could be of great help. The first is designing the book cover. The second is to format the book ready for publishing. The third is to do the follow up in publishing such as uploading the formatted book as well as promoting the books.

Even if you do not have these specific skills as anyone with software skills could learn these skills quite quickly. Basically, the template is there. Anyone who has access to the Indesign package of Adobe will find it easy to move in. There are other software packages that could be used as well.

Volunteer? Free? Yes and no. I am a new author. I have published five books online. I have many more in the pipeline based on the good Lord giving me the length of life. My published books have not moved much in the market. They say that once you publish more books the market will pick. At the same time, I am also building up my author platform which should help in marketing. Besides, I have started actively promoting my books also.

Where does the volunteer fit in? It is almost like a venture capitalist. Instead of putting in money you put in time and skills. Both parties will grow together. There is a reasonable assumption that this venture will be successful.

As an author, whatever knowledge and skills I have gained over a lifetime, will be freely shared with the volunteer. The volunteer would gain new skills in cover designing and in formatting the final book. The volunteer can make this skill available as a freelance designer and formatter for many like me who are looking for this professional support. The volunteer can charge at lower or market rates for such services and continue to earn money.

What about my own contribution to the volunteer? At some point along the pathway of growth, a formal or informal agreement may have to be made. This would indicate the financial relationship and how the volunteer would be paid for services done. There are a number of options available which can be finalised that is mutually agreeable.

More than money it is a process of professional growth that would initially take place which I hope would make it possible for the volunteer to earn independently. Of course, I would continue to be available to the volunteer’s growth as long as necessary and feasible. 

I have expressed my need. Although my need is only one volunteer, I would like to start with at least three volunteers if possible. The relationship would be one of growth as well as sharing my experiences in a number of areas that could contribute to the professional growth of the volunteers as a mentor.

Please respond to my email ids as follows. We can discuss individually and come to a mutually agreed conclusion.

abel_rajaratnam@hotmail.com

drabelindia@gmail.com

It has been some time since I made my e-books available for free download. 

With December being a cheerful giving month, I would like to make my e books available for free downloads according to the dates mentioned below. Please feel free to download it. Also do not have second thoughts on sharing this free download with others. Ultimately, it is my desire that this book should reach as many people as possible free or paid versions. The first book I would like to make available for free is the ‘Businessmen for the Poor.’ It is available at the link given below.

Dates for free download of eBook ‘Businessmen for the Poor.’

December 6

December 20

December 25

January 1 2022

January 14 2022

Global eBook Businessmen for the Poor http://tiny.cc/f801tz  

Indian eBook Businessmen for the Poor http://tiny.cc/k901tz 

There are some who prefer to pay and read from a hard copy rather than download even a free eBook. For those interested in only a print version, you can order it through the links given below.

Global Paperback Businessmen for the Poor http://tiny.cc/q901tz

Paperback Indian Businessmen for the Poor http://tiny.cc/6f71tz 

I will make my other books available in my subsequent blog.

You can expect my next blog shortly after this one.

Rajaratnam Abel

My last blog post was made considerable time back. I had indicated that I was moving from Covid to writing my next book on development economics. I had been kept busy writing. It was a new area for me and it is taking a longer time than I envisaged.

Some of you may recall my last book entitled, ‘Businessmen for the Poor.’ This new book is building on that book. I will share snippets from that forthcoming book from time to time.

With covid coming under control worldwide, I just want to write probably one last blog on Covid-19. As the title indicates it is about how Hong Kong managed it and the possible price paid by the people.

My first encounter with Covid-19 was Hong Kong and a request for masks. My daughter who lives in Hong Kong with her family considered herself providential that she could manage to get hold of some masks before they completely went out of the shelves in the market. She made an innocent request that I send some masks for some of the poorer church members who were struggling to lay their hands on masks.

So, I requested my professional contacts who are in active service to get me some masks. The request was circulated further down the line. The first response was that India had banned the export of masks. With that door closed, we worked with one of the acquaintances travelling from India to Hong Kong to hand carry some masks. Pat came the reply, “The customs are selectively identifying masks in passenger baggage and taking them out.” That was the end of my efforts at providing masks from India.

This experience motivated me to publish my third book entitled Covid-19. It was widely distributed by the Seventh Day Adventist Church in India to a wide variety of readers. Having failed with supplying masks for Hong Kong, I followed the manner in which Hong Kong managed to keep the country relatively free of the disease.

Masking was the first and foremost intervention carried out in Hong Kong. There were laws promoting the wearing of masks. However, masking was a habit formed over the years even before Covid-19 came on the scene. It was natural for people who had upper or lower respiratory infections to wear masks in public places. If one did not wear a mask in public places with a respiratory infection, then people looked down upon such individuals. Masking was a natural habit and it formed the first line of defence against Covid-19.

The second line of defence was maintaining a distance of two meters. The third line of defence was frequent hand washing and sanitisation. In fact, these three precautions constitute the main defiance against Covid-19.

The other intervention very consciously and rigidly implemented were isolation and quarantine. It started with isolation and or quarantine whenever there was risky contact with a local positive case. Over time they were able to control the community spread of the disease. 

Then they moved to the international level. Under pressure from the people, the Wuhan Hong Kong Express train was stopped very early in the pandemic. Depending on the level of new cases in different countries, anywhere from one to three wee weeks of hotel-based quarantine was insisted upon, with longer periods from countries where the new cases are high. This has been applied quite strictly. 

With these measures, Hong Kong managed to keep Covid-19 under check with very few new cases emerging daily in single digits and deaths being zero on a number of days.

What this means is that by applying Covid appropriate behaviour (CAB) Hong Kong has been able to effectively control the disease in the country. Hong Kong is a safe country for its citizens to live in. 

The proportion of the citizens of Hong Kong receiving Covid vaccines has been a little over sixty-one per cent. Even when the proportion of vaccination was low, CAB was able to keep the incidence of new cases low, even as they are cut off from the world. 

The price paid by the economy of Hong Kong to keep Covid out of the country is very high. Only time will tell if the consequences of the CAB measures followed in Hong Kong have helped them in the long run.  

The following link will show the pattern of Covid-19 in Hong Kong as well as in other countries.                                                                                               

https://graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps/countries-and-territories/hong-kong/