Its been a long time I haven’t visited my own blog. No excuses, except that it was pure laziness.

The fire in Stephen Court in Park Street, Kolkata, really broke my slumber off.

Having experienced fire once in one of my factories a few years ago, I have become super fire-conscious myself. One of the 5 elements that can really show its might if ignored is fire. It takes only a few minutes for it move from its gentle warmth to horrific proportions.

We Indians generally get most affected because of our religious beliefs. “Jako rakhe sainya maar sake na koi”. As such we do nothing for our basic protection.

Has anyone wondered why most of the fires in Calcutta are so callously handled? Because West Bengal is the only state with the dubious distinction of having a fire minister! Why do we need the man? He is the one who has been blocking decisions to buy basic fire fighting clothes, leave apart clothes. Probably Calcutta’s Fire services are the only ones in the world wearing Khaki uniforms. Khaki is a color that was originally invented to remain discreet, just like to remain discreet the army uses Olive green (and now camouflage prints). Why can’t someone tell these fools that the firemen should be wearing High visibility yellows with retro-reflective tapes sewn on them so that people can see them? And these clothes should at least be fire-retardant, in not fire-proof.

Why shouldn’t the ‘fire minister’ be sacked for not utilizing the budgets that was already given to him?

The private sector works because the people who don’t work and don’t take responsibility for failure are sacked. I my organization I am proud to say that I sack non-performers at a drop of a hat.