The Hindu Business Line : Ethics include the entire spectrum of human conduct

THE deceptive part of unethical leadership is it appears to succeed, writes R. M. Lala in the second edition of In Search of Ethical Leadership, published by Vision (www.visionbooksindia.com). "Ethics include the entire spectrum of human conduct," he adds, before chronicling examples drawn from personalities for whom ethics were not stray strands but an integral part of life. The author identifies 13 qualities of leadership — communication, humility, teamwork, compassion, integrity, training, competence, man-management, vision, courage, purpose, decision-making and stamina. On the last, Lala notes that the speed of events, the toll of jet travels, and instant communication take a heavy toll on all leaders. Some companies have made it a policy not to allow their executives to sign agreements within hours of landing, he informs, emphasising how decision-making is affected by stress. Remember that talking (and listening) is exhausting business. Good read.

Bottom-up approach to statistics

ROHINI Nayyar, Meenakshi Rajeeve and Vinod Vyasulu have written Estimating District Income in India (www.macmillanindia.com) introducing readers to a bottom-up approach to statistics in tune with the requirements of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments. As the Constitution has empowered the local bodies to plan and implement, it is becoming increasingly necessary to have decentralised databases on population size and its characteristics for micro level planning of various development programmes, point out the authors. To compile the DDP or district domestic product, they divide the economy into two sectors, commodity producing and non-commodity producing. The former is divided into primary and secondary. Agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining fall under primary, while manufacturing, construction, and electricity belong to the secondary group. The book discusses in detail the methodology to calculate sector-wise district product and income. Useful read for researchers.

You're finished when you quit

SUCCESS and satisfaction in life have to be extracted by manufacturing positive attitudes in our mind, our thought factory, writes Pramod Batra in Cows Don't Give Milk, published by Full Circle (fullcircle@vsnl.com). "A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits," begins Chapter 1 titled `Sukhiram versus Dukhiram'. "A successful person is one who is satisfied with himself and lives life happily, responding to situations or events in a positive manner, not reacting in a helpless manner," explains Batra. One of the lessons that the author offers is that the rich don't work for money. "Money is just another commodity, it comes and goes, but if we have the knowledge about how money works, we gain power over money and can build wealth," he advises on how to make you get money work for you rather than have you work for money. Asset, he defines, is something that puts money in the pocket. The opposite is true of liability. Add Batra to your assets!

Lifelong literacy

THE national literacy movement may look at imparting basic skills, but Brij Kothari, P. G. Vijaya Sherry Chand and Michael Norton who have edited Reading Beyond the Alphabet, published by Sage (www.indiasage.com) look at the need for `innovations in lifelong literacy'. Unschooled, schooled, and dropped-out children will remain in need of considerable and lifelong literacy skill improvement even if many of them may technically be enumerated as literate, explains the book. "There are an estimated 300 million or more people in the country already with skill levels that leave much room for improvement." There is an urgent need to search for innovative and creative ways that have shown promise in pilot contexts, urge the editors. The book documents studies as varied as Van Dhan in Bastar and adolescent education in Delhi slums. A book that can add to your literacy!

The Black buck hunt

BISWADEEP Ghosh and the editors of Stardust have written Hall of Fame: Salman Khan and published by Magna (www.magnamags.com). Chapter `Double trouble' discusses the events of October 1, 1998, in Kakani near Jodhpur. Salman was charged with the killing two Black bucks. "On this hunt, co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre, and Neelam accompanied the actor. Another case against him was connected with the killing of a Chinkara (Indian Gazelle) at the Mathania and the third to a similar occurrence at Bhavanath, where an animal belonging to the same species was killed." On May 22, 2003, "yet another witness backtracked from his statement that he had seen the cine star bringing the body of the hunted Blackbuck to a farmhouse five years ago... " Wonder how `fame' fits into the frame!

Yoga through doctors' eyes

FOR those who like to keep fit, here is Yoga & Medical Science FAQ by Krishna Raman and S. Suresh, published by EastWest Books (ewb@touchtelindia.net). Let me tease you with some of the questions: What are the effects of asanas on negative emotions such as anger, hatred and so on? Can true yogis fall ill? Can yoga maintain health or do we need to include other forms of exercises like walking or swimming? What is the difference between meditation and concentration? What time is ideal for exercise? Can we practise asanas when we are exhausted? Why are women more prone to backaches? Does yoga effect weight loss in pathological states? Is there a medical basis for the sequencing of postures? One last question: Do you know where to look for answers?

Tailpiece

"I use my new mobile... "

"To make calls to very important people?"

"No, to listen to the latest ringtones!"

ReadingRoom@TheHindu.co.in

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