Ahsan's Rant

VehicareCentral Launched in Beta Mode

2012-01-18T21:36:00.001-06:00

VehicareCentral is now in beta mode since 01/02/2012. Please test drive for free, and it will remain a free site.

Unknown Future - Adventure Continues

2011-12-31T22:32:00.000-06:00

I have been writing about business and technology from timeto time in my Enterprise Solutions blog; but I haven’t written anything elsefor a long time. So, this blog has been dormant for over couple of years. I certainlyhad many thoughts; but somehow never got around writing anything down. Today,on the last day of 2011, I feel like writing something.

When I began 2011, I knew it was going to be the year for somebig changes; but I never imagined I would find myself here in Massachusetts bythis time. Many thought I was crazy to leave my job at Rising Medical Solutionslast June considering the state of the economy. In fact, I not only chose toleave my employer in Chicago; but we also decided not to renew our rental leasebefore embarking on a journey abroad. I spent most of my summer of 2011 inCyprus with my family. During this time, I also took the opportunity to visit Bangladesh.I thought of finding something in Cyprus (or somewhere in Europe) during mystay in Cyprus; but probably not with a sense of urgency. I somehow knew I wascoming back to the States. There were some thoughts of my wife staying behindin Cyprus with the kids while I return to the States; but I was definitely uncertainabout Chicago. Eventually, after weighing many options, we decided to return toChicago. Upon return, we briefly stayed with a friend, and then at a hotelwhile trying to decide what to do. In the meantime, my job search was all overthe place. I was talking to recruiters from all over the country. It wasbecoming extremely unfocused. We also needed to decide quickly on kids’ school.Then bam… we decided one day to move to Massachusetts from Illinois. I guessthe adventure continued…

We moved to Massachusetts with bare essentials leaving mostof our belongings stored at a place in Illinois. Having my brother in theBoston area was a huge help, and we probably couldn’t have done it without himand his family. The transition from Illinois to Massachusetts was not as simpleas we had hoped for. It was a long process to find a place to stay, start my kidsto a school and then find a job. Eventually, it all happened. It’s been a fewmonths since we moved to Massachusetts. Kids are at schools, and I have also startedmy job couple of months ago; but our transition still continues.

As I write this on New Year’s Eve, I look back and think ‘damnthat was crazy’; but I have no regrets. To be honest, I am still trying to getused to everything here. As we slowly roll into 2012, I wonder how the new yearwill play out for me. It’s an unknown future. I somehow feel that I wouldcontinue to see changes throughout 2012. The changes may not be as drastic as2011; but you never know. Every morning I wake up without knowing how my daywill turn out. I certainly cannot predict what’s to come for 2012. There will behigh times, there will be low times. Some dreams will come true, and some maynot. I know that if I stumble, I will rise stronger. If I succeed in something,I will seek out new challenges. But no matter what happens my journey through2012 or the unknown future will go on with open arms.

Healthcare debate - politics or racial issue

2009-09-12T20:56:00.001-06:00

This is not the first time when someone is pushing for healthcare reform. This is certainly not the first time when someone is talking about raising taxes. However, this is the first time a minority President is talking about these issues. Could it be the reason the old-boys club of America seems a little concerned?

This all began when Obama and McCain were on a head-to-head collision during election campaign. Conservative leaders and media attempted to instill fear into people by comparing Obama policies or initiatives to socialism. Interestingly enough, people like Sarah Palin, who represented one of the most socialist states in the U.S., compared Obama’s ideas to socialism in front of many cheering crowds. Now, months after the election, the conservative voices have taken nastier turn. Each and every issue is being politicized. Consequently, the White House is being bombarded with increased ferocity almost every day. It almost seems that the American white elites are in a state fear and shock. These elites probably never imagined a minority President anytime soon. Maybe, that is why we are seeing conservative voices getting louder and nastier almost every day. It is not uncommon to see people associating the words Nazi, Arab and Muslim to Obama in many town-hall meetings. Are these people simply ignorant or are they fearful of the ongoing demographic changes that are taking place in this country?

Whatever the reason may be. I somehow feel that if a white male were talking about these issues, the conservative voices would not be as nasty as they are today. Maybe, behind a grand façade, still remains a racially divided white elites in this country.

Bangladesh at a Crossroads & Cautious Optimism

2007-04-21T21:44:00.000-06:00

The nation of Bangladesh and its people have once again come to a crossroads where a socio-political change seems inevitable. This is not new for the people of Bangladesh. In fact, the people have faced similar situations several times since the birth of our nation.

I can vividly recall one such instance when the people of Bangladesh overthrew the military regime of Hussain Mohammed Ershad. That day, the streets of Bangladesh saw a remarkable out-pouring of thousands of joyous people as Ershad’s statue of power came tumbling down. It was like a massive festival – no more dictatorship; no more rule by iron fist; signs of freedom everywhere! It seemed, on that very moment, the entire population of Bangladesh had one common dream – “democratic and prosperous Bangladesh”.

When people saw the first fair election immediately after the end of Ershad’s dictatorship, it was like a dream come true. The country seemed to have been moving in the right direction, and all the signs pointed to a better tomorrow. The people elected their leaders for the first time through a fair election, and the promises made by the elected leaders seemed to have seamlessly coincided with the wishes of the people. Even the leaders of many countries saw a humongous potential in a country of millions. Unfortunately, soon afterwards, the people started realizing that the elected leaders were nothing but vultures hiding behind the veils of democracy. As the vultures started showing their true colors, the country started falling deeper and deeper into obscurity. No matter whom the people tried to elect, the results were the same. It became increasingly clear that the leaders only cared about themselves, and not the people. The divide between the rich and the poor, the corruptions, lawlessness, rise in militancy – everything was spiraling out of control. The entire nation of Bangladesh felt extremely helpless because the people could not find anyone who displayed even the tiniest signs or will to put an end to these. The so-called leaders and their family found a way to imprison the entire nation.

In the midst of all these chaos and hopelessness, the people of Bangladesh finally seem to have found a tiny light at the end of a dark and narrow tunnel. The caretaker government, who was given the responsibility to conduct a fair election, seems to be taking steps that no one was willing to take in the past. Amidst a state of emergency and banned politics, the caretaker government is trying to crack down hard on corrupt politicians and officials. Some key political leaders from several major parties are either being put to jail or sent to exile. The government is also trying to establish better law and order, separate the judicial body and de-politicize various institutions as well as many other necessary steps. People are extremely thrilled with the actions so far. In fact, it would not surprise me if the intellectual bodies of our nation choose to ignore some actions by the government that may require bending of some constitutional laws. Why? The people of Bangladesh are so sick and tired of dealing with corrupt politicians that they feel minor bending of laws may pave the way for a better socio-political atmosphere in the country.

As the country is taking a turn for the better, why my optimism is somewhat reserved? Well, dreams of Bangladeshis had been shattered in the past a few times. So, it’s only natural to feel a little cautious. Nonetheless, the events that may transpire in the next few months could very well dictate the future of Bangladesh. Can the current caretaker government create an atmosphere where not only the old corrupt leaders are forever removed from the political scene; but also new leaders emerge to guide the nation? People of all walks of life may need to sacrifice a little. Situation might even get worse before it gets better; but there is hope. Despite the cautious optimism, I truly believe that the people have a great opportunity to build a foundation with care, sacrifice and patience. However, it is absolutely necessary for many people who have good administrative and leadership skills, to come forward; otherwise, the state of Bangladesh will remain unchanged.