The Nomad - Deloitte Employees' Social Page
With Alexander Annaev

In this month’s edition of the Nomad, we talk to Alexander Annaev, who has worked in Consulting for two years. Alexander used both paid and unpaid vacation totaling 3 months to volunteer for the Conservation Action Trust (CAT), a non-profit environmental organization based in Mumbai, India. He had several reasons for undertaking such an endeavor:

“As an ERS consultant focused on Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability services, I wanted to gain some environmental expertise, as well as try living in one of most vibrant cities in the world, where the famous ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ was shot.”

Being the first time Alexander had visited India, his first moments in Mumbai were quite a culture shock, as he was surrounded by “shabby buildings, narrow streets, heavy rickshaw traffic, and crowds in ethnic clothing.” However, within a couple of days he had become accustomed to the pace of the city.

While in the Mumbai, Alexander stayed in a 4-room flat on the top floor of a modern building in Versova, the district where most Bollywood stars live. He had a Bollywood starlet for a neighbor, and lived with 10 flat mates, who were also working as volunteers, and hailed from places as different as the US, UK, Germany, China, Bulgaria, and Tanzania. The entire group worked for different charitable organizations in Mumbai and often went out and traveled together.

Alexander was kept extremely busy during his trip and, as part of his work for the CAT, he helped to organize various activities, such as writing a script for the “Indian Story of Stuff”, a local version of a famous documentary about consumerism. He also had the chance to use his business skills in preparing a marketing plan for the Mangrove Wetland Center, drafting the organization’s pilot annual report, and facilitating two sessions on eco-tourism, as part of capacity building workshops for village fishermen. He also got to see some of the wilder areas almost every day when he ventured out of the city to carry out environmental monitoring in the mangrove swamps around Mumbai.

Mumbai’s unimaginably crowded local trains, for which the city is famous, will live long in Alexander’s memories. With 10 passengers per square meter, and 7% of passengers actually traveling on the outside of the train carriages, it proved to be quite an experience. Unfortunately, given these hectic conditions, it is somewhat unsurprising that 10 people die every day on the city’s train tracks.

“I spent about 3-4 hours every day in this kind of transport. Getting on and off was definitely a challenge! I felt proud when I could jump off a train while it was still moving, so as not to have to confront the inevitable mad crowd ready to leap on board when the train stopped.”

Another feature of the city is its extensive slums, where 55% ofMumbaikars (the local term for citizens of Mumbai) live. Alexander visited these areas to learn about local businesses and lifestyles, discovering in the process that there is more to the slums than meets the eye.

“The slums actually perform a useful function for Mumbai, as the locals sort out and recycle waste produced by the city’s wealthy classes. But they pay an unacceptably high price in terms of health for carrying out this work, and it often costs them their lives. The unhygienic conditions are truly terrifying. While on the train, I saw many men using the area in front of the railways as a toilet, as only one person per 1,000 slum dwellers has access to genuine toilet facilities."

In spite of the slums, Alexander noted that Mumbai is considered the glamour capital of India, with its colonial architecture and Bollywood movie sets. While it could seem a daunting place, even for Muscovites, Alexander did not hesitate to recommend the city as a destination for the more thoughtful tourists among us, adding that:

“It just depends on what you are looking for. Like Moscow, it has posh hotels, restaurants, and boutiques. But I prefer the other side of it. I enjoyed staying in India so much so that I almost felt like an Indian myself by the end of my time there.

“It is an up and coming country of abundant business opportunities, with friendly people, a magnificent culture, and amazing natural wonder. If the experience has taught me anything, it is to be more flexible, open-minded, sensitive, friendly, and proactive in my life.”

Published Date : 2 October 2009

Аравийское море бушует во тьме,

Соленый ветер несет на волне.

Стройные пальмы гнутся под ним,

Шепчут на ушко подгугам своим.

Небесне воды начинают игру,

Теплым дождем расплываясь в ветру.

Мумбайский ливень льет по косой.

С Церковных ворот возвращаюсь домой.

Прохожие ищут покрова любого.

Ничто не спасет от муссона в Версова.

Мокра моя курта, и сумка мокра,

Но прекрасно внутри, ведь жизнь коротка.

Во власти стихии быть – это награда,

Быть здесь и сейчас, не когда кому надо.

Огромные капли текут по лицу;

Муссон обнимает фигуру мою.

Гордой походкой иду по Джи Пи,

Как буд-то родился я в этой ночи.

Родимым мне кажется сей балаган,

Не уж-то в той жизни мой дом – Хиндустан?

Церковные ворота (Churchgate) – железнодорожная станция в историческом центре Мумая.

Муссон – сезон дождей в Юго-Восточной Азии.

Версова – окраина Мумбая, в которой живут многие звезды Болливуда.

Курта – традиционная мужская рубашка в Индии.

Джи Пи Роуд – одна из улиц в Версова.

Хиндустан, Бхарат – название Индии на хинди.

Один из будней в Мумбаи

Как обычно встал в семь часов. Съел какой-то молочный продукт для пищеварения и отправился на автобусную остановку, до которого где-то пять минут пешком от нашего относительного престижного тринадцатиэтажного дома «Ашока» с вестибюлем с диванами и аквариумом, огражденной территорией с пафосными воротами и охранниками. В первые дни у меня были проблемы с автобусами, потому что я не могу понять их номера на хинди, но уже выучил эти закорючки. В передней части автобуса обычно сидят женщины, а в задней – мужчины. Кондуктор в форме цвета хаки продает билеты и дергает за веревочку со звонком, чтобы автобус тронулся. Я уже достаточно хорошо изучили маршрут, то есть вывески, например магазин электроники «Сони-Мони», парихмахерская «Лемон» и стоматология «Белая империя». Здесь все ориентируются по вывескам и важным объектам, так как названий улиц нигде нет. Каких-то полчаса – и я уже на железнодорожной станции «Андхери».

Толпа занесла меня в самую глубь вагона. Так хорошо занесла, что у меня не было места, чтобы поставить ноги на пол. Пришлось истопать несколько ботинок и нащупать какое-то пространство. Но главная проблема была в том, что мое тело было согнуто в связи с тем, что у меня на груди висел рюкзак с лаптопом и другими ценностями. Чтобы не лечь на парня, стоявшего ссади, пришлось зацепиться за турникет под потолком и висеть на нем двадцать минут до станции «Дадар». Не успев спрыгнуть с поезда, я сразу попал в поток людей, поднимающихся по мосту, чтобы перейти на другие платформы. На таких переходах многие мужчины цикают или пшикают языками, чтобы выразить «побыстрее», «уступите дорогу», «осторожно» и т.д. Поезд на другой линии был свободный, но я сел во второй класс. Он отличается от первого только ценой и жесткими сидениями, а также контингентом, естественно. Ко мне пристала девочка-попрошайка. Сначала она меня тыкала в руку, а потом пала ниц и начала тыкать ноги. Я ее сначала игнорировал, потом на хинди пару раз сказал «нет», но она отстала только когда ей что-то сказал другой мужчина.

Около двух часов в пути – и я на станции «Тане». Мне нужно было выйти с восточной стороны, но милая девушка указала мне на Запад. Авто-рикша довезла меня до офиса, но водитель хотел взять меня на дурака. Обычно здесь платят на одну рупию меньше показателя счетчика, а он хотел взять с меня на одну больше. Сумма не значительная, но дело принципа. Наш офис в Тане наименее благоустроенный, но зато у него есть выход во двор, в котором сегодня под дождем прыгала огромная желтая жаба. При сильном дожде вход в офис затапливает, но к нему можно подойти по специальным бетонным пенькам. Я проверил почту, выпил чай и отправился вместе с коллегами на инспекцию на нашем джипе.

А инспектировали мы территорию, на которой уничтожаются мангры в результате строительства бетонных подъездов к воде для грузовиков, перевозящих песок. Территория расположеня прямо у границы Национального парка, в котором до сих пор живут леопарды, время от времени нападающие на людей. Мы приехали туда вместе с двумя чиновниками из Департамента природы. Мне нужно был сыграть роль представителя международной экологической организации, а также фотографа. Сцена достойна передачи «Честный детектив». Идет ливень. У меня перекосившийся донельзя зонтик и фотоаппарат. Вокруг складированные шины, свалки гранита и грузовики, в которые рабочие в трусах загружают песок. Фотографирую все, что попадается на пути, но чиновники от меня скрываются. Моя коллега Кавита периодически протерает мой объектив платочком. Мы самовольно проходим на огражденную территорию, на которой ремонтируют что-то типа субмарин. Рабочие в недоумении. Через какое-то время появляется начальник и в агрессивном тоне заявляет, что у него есть знакомые наверху и что никакие мангры он не разрушает. Потом все мы вместе перешли в местную забегаловку, чтобы составить протокол, но расстроенный начальник нас вскоре покинул.

Инспекция продолжилась. Мы ехали по дороге и фотографировали все объекты, сторящиеся в пределах пятидесяти метров от мангров. К пяти часам мы добрались до офиса и сразу же поехали на одну из наших территорий смотреть фламинго. Мой начальник по имени Сталин (его родители были коммунистами) постоянно давал мне инструкции что фотографировать. Дождь не останавливался. При спуске к одной из рыбацких стоянок я подскользнулся и со всего маху сел в грязь. Сталин, который очень любит обо всех заботиться, нашел какое-то место со шлангом, с которого отмывались рыбаки. Я постирал не себе джинсы, но мне кажется, что вода из шланга подавалась из водоочистительной станции, так что нужно еще раз все постирать.

Дорога обратно была еще веселее. При приближении к станции «Андхери» я схватился за турникет и наполовину высунулся из поезда, чтобы спрыгнуть в толпу до его остановки. Но неиствовшая толпа начала запрыгивать в поезд еще раньше, так что мне пришлось приодолеть сопротивление около пятнадцати человек, чтобы выбраться. Я уже подумал, что волной меня отнесет обратно в поезд, но все-таки удалось всех растолкать.

Когда приехал на автобусе домой, обнаружил, что на моей кровати сидит кто-то. Оказалось, что к нам на выходные приехали какие-то два американца. В итоге, в нашей квартире уже семь американцев, причем пять из них студенты Йельского университета! В эти выходные в моей комнате помимо меня будет пять человек: два проезжих американца, один американец китайского происхождения Аарон и один настоящй китаец Ансон. Аарон всю ночь пишет сочинения, чтобы поступить в медицинский институт. Это означает, что общество даже ночью не дает мне покоя. Сегодня он мне сказал, что я во сне часто разговариваю по-русски. Никакой приватности.

Не смотря на все вызовы, я чуствую себя в Индии очень свободно и естественно.

Trains

They are just packed as cans with fish. According to my guidebook, for every square meter you have 15-17 bodies You should be very quick to get on and off, otherwise you can get stuck in a crowd rushing in and rushing out. 10 people die every day on the railways.

Indian trains have separate compartments for men, women, fishermen, handicapped and people with cancer. I spend about 4-5 hours in public transport a day: I take a rickshaw to get to the station, and then change 3 trains to get to Novi Mumbai, where one of our offices is located. I pass many districts, including slums (55% of Mumbai's population live in slums). Every district seems to have it's own smell: decaying organic rubbish, burning plastics, stagnant water, and simply dung. Today I have observed a line of men performing morning toilet procedures just in front of the train.

Hi there!

I’m back on the blog, as I’m experiencing the craziest city in the world – Mumbai, the financial capital of India.

The adventure started in Domodedovo Airport. I was offered to pass as a business class passenger due to my Emirates ticket, but found myself in a line of other “business” people departing to Tashkent and Ashgabat. And what do you think? One of them was Toytya Sonya, a former owner of the shop near my place in Ashgabat, and she recognized after seven years. When I was flying from Dubai to Mumbai, a had a seat near the emergency exit, close to the place where flight assistants usually seat while taking off and landing. So, I had a beautiful Taiwanese girl just opposite to me, and we talked a lot during the flight about her job in Emirates and living in Dubai. I gave her a business card, and hope she’ll add me on Facebook.

When I came to Mumbai, I found myself on a different planet. We took an old rusty taxi to the apartment. The traffic was crazy! We crossed slums so similar to the slums in “Slumdog Millionaire” with dark people lying on the streets. You can see auto rickshaws everywhere. Generally, this is the main way of transportation, and they are quite cheap.

My apartment is in a relatively good area for the upper middle class, my still there are many poor people there. I live on the 12th floor with a fantastic view to the Arab sea. The apartment is huge, but looks rather empty. The weirdest thing is the shower, where you water comes to the flow and you have to flush it to a hole in the corner with a special stick. We have about ten people leaving in the apartment, mostly Americans. But one American guy is that is actually a Russian. There is also one Bulgarian who speaks Russian. Everybody is impressed that I’m working for Deloitte.

Today an AIESECer helped me to catch a train to the area where my office is. The trains are as overcrowded as Moscow elektrichkas, but they don’t have doors, so that many people are falling from them. The office of Conservation Action Trust, an NGO I’m volunteering at is in a prestigious area. My boss is very friendly. I’m supposed to meet different people in the organization, and decide what I’m going to do. Most probably, I’ll also participate in a project on protecting flamingos in the Mumbai area.

Farewell Party at Duma


The economic crisis is gaining its momentum. More and more colleagues of mine have to leave the company. The remaining get paid less, but sometimes have to work more.

New York has made a bad impression on me: it's overcrowded, overcommercialized, overdiverse. The conference has been very business-oriented, so that there has almost no fun. The people have been quite reserved and egocentric. Luckily, I've had an roommate who is of Pakistani origin and met Russian participants representing other countries (US, Germany, and Hungary). They are more focused on friendship and are likely to be my friends in the future.

Unlike New York, Toronto is a nice and friendly city. In the airport I met an old Canadian lady, who made me an introduction about Toronto and accompanied me on the subway. I live in the very downtown near major bars, Deloitte's office and my training centre. The hostel is cheap and very convenient: I have a single room, breakfast&dinner, and free Internet just for 25$ a day! I've had to pay 20$ for just the Internet in New York.

New York New York

I'm currently in New York City living on the 27th floor of a Mariott Hotel on Broadway. It sound cool, but I'm not excited somehow. It all looks like a huge supermarket with crouds and lots of commercials. People live to consume. I've been also surprised with diversity - there were almost no European looking people in the subway yesterday.

The conference itself has not started yet. It is likely to suggest 60 executives and about 160 students from the US and other countries. There are some Russian immigrants who I'm going to catch soon.

The Paralympic Games

I wonder why the Paralympic Games are silently held after the Olympic Games. For the "disabled", doing sports is more important, as it is an opportunity to overcome complexes.

I wish the "disabled" athlets and their "abled" peers could march hands-in-hand on the joint Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, and their achievement are equally appreciated and glorified in the world.

The segregation of Olympic and Paralympic Games creates barriers. Having lived in a team of disabled weighlifting athlets in Turkmenistan, I know that this segration makes them think "they are different" and rely on sponsors' support, rather their strengths.

Georgian Gambit

I'm deeply dissapointed at the fact that Russia has recognized the independence of S. Ossetia and Abkhazia. These republics definitely deserve freedom, but it brings no benefits to Russia. It seems that the US have sacrified these two small peace of land to get the following:

• Georgia resolves it territorial problems, so that it is accepted to NATO and packed with western military bases.
• Russian reputation is spoilt, and its enemies have many opportunities for scaring their people and other nations with the "monster" to gain political dividents.
• The separatism risk in Russia increases, as possible breakaway republics will use S. Ossetia and Abkhazia as examples in the arguments with the Kremlin.
• Russian economy is under threat, as European countries will search for new energy sources, limit their investments on the Russian capital market, and impose sanctions on Russian goods. Russia looses the chance to enter the WTO, as Georgia is the only country that has signed a mutual agreement with Russia.
• India and China won't support Russia to avoid separtism risks in their countries.

The Great Game is terrible. Russians are members of the European family, and it's madness to create artificial barriers and conflicts. Happiness of people is the last thing popliticians think about here.

It blows my mind

The conflict between South Ossetia and Georgia is changing rapidly, so are my views. Now it's clear it's nothing more than a conflict between the US and Russia. We have been forced to get engaged in it, but, unfortunately, it's now it's difficult to stop Russian hawks, as russofobic rethoric and provocations go on appearing. These two superpowers use the same tactics and similar brainwashing in their game; the difference is that the US deliver it under "democracy" sauce". It's a pity that Georgia is just a pawn here, which most of Georgian don't realize.

This is my response to a Georgian girl who sent a letter to 500 international students urging them to unite agains the USSR2.

We, as "elite of the elite" should be above "national interests", be objective, and see peace as the only goal of our actions. Unfortunately, many people are still heavily brainwashed, which, I hope, is not the case for us.

I do feel sorry about those Georgians who suffered in this conflic and can understand your despair. However, I would urge to present the situation based on the facts, but not fears that the Georgian government is trying to drive you in. Let's not forget that the aggression was started by the Georgian troops, when they attacked S. Ossetia on September 7 killing about 2,000 people and making about 30,000 people flee the country (reported by S. Ossetian government). As most of them are officially Russian citizens, it has been a mistake of Mr.Saakashvili to hope that Mr. Medvedev and Mr. Putin would just watch the Olympic Games and let this republic and Russia peacekeeping forces be completely destroyed.

There are many "truths" in this conflict. Yes, I agree that the Russian army should not have moved beyond South Ossetia. But the UN observers who are now there say that civil buildings were not bombed, but there was a big deal of marauding, as the local administration ran away of the city, which made this chaos happen. And I have no reason not the believe S. Ossetians who told how Georgians were killing their kids with tanks and committed other terrible crimes, such as blasting the dumb, so that people come up from basements to be killed. Please note that I'm not denying casualties from the Georgian side.

I'm not trying to be Russia's advocate and argue that Russia is not going to establish the Second USSR. This point is not even worthdiscussing, as its complete nonsense in the style of the Cold War. The problem is not about big Russia bulling its neighbours, the problem is about Georgia destroying South Ossetia. I don't like discussing South Ossetia's right for independence, but I think it should be treated the same as Kosovo or even Georgia that separated from the USSR peacefully. And what about US bombing Yugoslavia so that Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Macedonia are independent? Why doesn't South Ossetia have the right for independence, for freedom?

We should admit that we live in a cynical world, where global powers play their game, and smaller nations have to take one of the sides. This game has been played for ages in different regions. One of the strategies in this game is to have "a son of a bitch" or a leader that would brainwash the population and incline them to take one of the sides. Sadly to say that US and Russia have practiced this strategy. It was the case in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and now in Georgia. Believe me or not, but Lenin has been also one of such "leaders", as he lived abroad and received money from the West. The US once supported Usama bin Ladin, as he was the "son of a bitch" to fight with the Soviets.

So, this conflict is still a dirty game of the two big countries, but Russia didn't start it - it has been forced to get involved. Once I was very inspired by Saakashvili, as I thought that he would be a true democratic leades. But after he bit the opposition in Tbilisi, fired lots of its ministers for their views, closed the independent channel Imedi, and organized the massacre in South Ossetia, I'm disappointed. And after he ran away in panic and left the French Foreign Minister alone (he felt a mysterious "Russian" airplane), after he chewed his tie in front of BBC journalists, I would never ever believe him, as he seems to be mentally challenged.

Again, as international leaders, let's ignore the biased media,distance ourselves from nationalistic and Cold War rethoric, and avoid double standards. The collapse of the USSR has been a chance to start a new chapter in international relations. The only obstacle to that is our fears coming from the past and manipulation by politicians. As a citizen of the world, I love Georgia, US, Russia and many countries.

Let peace prevail on earth!

Kind regards from Moscow,

Alexander

PS: I'm not going to argue about this issue, as I'm sick of italready. My mission is to bring positive change in my communities, but not to be part of somebody else's game. I hope you still believe I'm your friend, not a "facist".

Saving the Amur Tiger

My first article on CSR in Banks has been published in the National Banking Journal. It's available here, but, unfortunately, only in Russian. English translation will follow.

They cynism of the world's media is shocking

I've recieved a message for a youth organisation based in Latvia to organize protests against Russia

WE ASK ALL INTERESTED MEMBERS TO HELP ORGANISE PROTESTS BY WALKING UP TO THE RUSSIAN EMBASSY IN **YOUR** COUNTRY. THIS HAS TO HAPPEN THIS WEEK

Here is my reply:

Hello!

It's a pity to observe that you all have been mesmerized by the lies on CNN and BBC.

Look, South Ossetia, a self-proclaimed republic with population of 100 thousand people was heavily bombed by Georgia at night, after Saakashvili had told them to sleep in peace. 2 thousand of them are dead, 30 thousand are refugees. Isn't it agression? CNN and BBC don't show you how Geogian tanks go over Ossetian grannies and kids... They ridiculously show you flying Georgian bombs and call them Russian bombs. They show you what you want to see; and you consume it as a chewing gum.

Yes, Russia has interfered in the conflict. But what would your country do, if so many of your citizens had been killed? What would your country do if South Ossetians would be knocking your door and asking to stop the genocide? What would you do, if you live in North Ossetia, Russia, while your brothers are killed in South Ossetia?

The question is not about Russia bulling small Georgia, the question is about Georgia trying to exterminate small South Ossetia, that became part of Geogia only under Bolsheviks.

You are trying to put Latvia in the place of Georgia. But please put in the place of South Ossetia. Was it comfartable for you to be in the USSR? Is it comfortable for Kosovo to be in Serbia? Is to comfortable for Tibet to be in China? But why South Ossetia is different then?

Your position is biased and not consistent. If Serbia would try to regain Kosovo and US would interfere to protect Kosovars, your position would be absolutely different.

Think about innocent people dying in South Ossetia, don't be guided by your fears of "monster-Russia".

May Peace prevail on Earth

My conversation with a girl X from Estonia

Alexander Annaev
August 9 at 4:49pm
Hey K! I'm suprised you support Georgia, not peace... I can't look at how bombs fall down on houses of sleeping people. I totally agree that all nations deveserve independence, but can't understand why South Ossetia is different from Estonia or Kosovo, for example. Regards, Alex

X
August 9 at 6:18pm
It is not the same. I do support peace.I do not support Russia's constant power plays.What business does it have in all this?Other than trying to put Georgia in its place? I realize my position is quite subjective, but if this happens now with Georgia, who says that one day the Russians living in North-East Estonia won't be motivated to start breaking off from Estonia and declare Independent Nation of Narva for example? And Russia sends their tanks in?

Alexander Annaev
August 9 at 7:20pm
Thanks for your position! But it's not Russia that started this war. Georgia bombed Tskhinvali while people were sleeping - there are more than 2000 casualties, and the town is ruined now. Russia's business in this all is the following: - Russia has an official status of a peacekeeper in South Ossetia - Many South Ossetians have Russian citizenship, and Georgia bombed the peacekeepers' base - Nothern Ossetia is a part of Russia, and its people just can't ignore killing their brothers and sisters beyond the border - South Ossetian government has asked Russia for helpImagine that your neighbour is killing his wife, how would you behave? I think it's the same. You can force people to live in one country if they don't want to. Estonians didn't like like living in the USSR, and I appreciate your independence. Kosovars and Tibetans are claiming for independence, and the international community supports them. But why then South Ossetia and Abkhazia should be forced to be part of Georgia? If the majority of people (and Russians are the majority) in Narva decide to be independent, I would support them, because it will be their choice, and you won't be able to turn them into Estonians. Kind regards, Alex

X
August 9 at 7:38pm
first off nobody wants to turn Russians in Estonia Estonians. You do expect someone settling down in Russia to speak Russian, however, don't you? Why would it be different in any other country?Its about integrity of a territory. In this way, we could say that if Turkish people in Berlin decided they wanted to declare independence. Would Turkey then move its forces to Germany? Would you support that too? This way any nationality can move to any country and declare independence? Wouldn't that be a bit weird? Or what would happen if 20 000 Estonians moved to Russia and wanted to declare independent a zone they are living in?Why is it then that Russia has "consumed" and forced to russify so many of the small nations living in Siberia etc? Why couldn't they also speak freely their languages and practice their culture but have instead been persecuted for years and years and years? This is exactly the same thing. I am not saying that Georgians are angels. There are 100 better ways they could have handled the situation. But it is not easy for any of us having this big neighbour bullying us at any chance it gets. Russia thinks it owns everything in the region. Why else would there still be maps where the great big Russia includes all the former soviet republics? And if Russians are really doing the peace keeping there... why did they move beyond South Ossetia? Why are they bombing civilians in the city of Gori? Why have they entered the territory of the Republic of Georgia? Why are they killing innocent civilians then?I can understand your position and the Russian propaganda machine is one of the most powerful things in the world producing lies and misinformation (something we could feel well a year ago during the bronze soldier events in Tallinn). But in my humble opinion (and I am not saying it is the ultimate truth) in the end it all comes to this that Russia has and will for years to come have a chip on its shoulder against all the former soviet republics.

Alexander Annaev
August 9 at 8:25pm
Thanks for such an active reaction! First of all, I am expressing my own opinion, not Russia's one. I don't expect expect anybody in Russia to speak Russian, besides officials. It's up to everybody what language he/she should speak, but for those who don't speak, it will be a challenge to be competitive on the job market.I think that people's right for self-identification is more important than integrity of a territory, because borders haven't been drawn by God. The main thing is that people are happy. So, I will personally support separtism of Tatarstan or any other republic in Russia, if people their will be happier. I appreciate your effort to appeal to consistency. But let's be consistent! If Albanians settled in Serbia and declared their independence later, why wouldn't South Ossetians, who have been living there for ages, would declare independence, if they have all the characteristics of an independent state?Yes, if Estonians had moved to Russia, settled in a territory, where the would be a majority, and claimed for independence, I would support them. And I'm sure that if they were Estonian citizens, Estonia would interfere (USA, of course, would). But any country should have a policy toward multiculturalism not to allow such concentrated settlements. I dont' like Russia's imperial thinking. But we live in the world, where all countries are controlled by stronger ones. So, if not Russia its place will be taken by the US, China or the Arab world, unfortunately. Georgia has preferred the US, proclaiming democracy, but beating oppostion activists on streets and shutting down independent media.Rights of minor people in Siberia and other regions should be respected. The history is that they have been conquered by Russia, and russification has been a part of the colonial policy. But just a historical reality. You are now living in a country that has been been also conquered. But the people don't blame Spain now and speak Spanish.I agree with you that the Russian propaganda machine is poweful, but many people telling that are at the same time affected by another propaganda machine. Just watch the US news - of course, it's Russia to first attack innocent Georgia! You can also believe in weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Estonian media is of the same type. There are two kinds of news: news of local significance and about monster-Russia. Sometimes you can feel that Russia is responsible even for the bad weather, it looks like paranoia. Sorry for such a long message!Alex

X
August 9 at 9:03pm
I think you cannot understand the position of an Estonian or Georgian or Latvian unless you have been in their shoes. And I am sincerely saying this that I am not sure that one day Russia will not decide to invade Estonia. That is all I am saying. Living under constant fear makes people paranoid and afraid. And Russia has been bullying Georgia for years and years. I dont hate Russia. I dont blame Russia for everything. I believe in the right of a country to be independent. Without being afraid that whatever we do, Russia may decide (under the pretext of "protecting" the russian minority) to attack us. and that is all i will say about these things. Have a nice evening. Greetings from Z

Alexander Annaev
August 9 at 9:17pm
I can understand your position - I lived outside Russia for 2/3 of my life. It's a pity you live in fear and hope you'll get rid of with time, as there is no reason. Hugs, Alex PS: By the way, how do you like living in Z?

ERS Off-site in Istra

ICWIP Impressions

Stiina's still life

• There is a lot of demagogy about sustainable development. I agree with Prof. László Ervin that "sustainability starts at home", but most people, at least in Russia, haven't satisfied their basic needs to think of such high materials.


• Africans don't like when Europeans are talking about Africa. They get offended when we think it's just a poor continent. Some of them suppose that we deliberately keep Africa poor in order to control it and that Africa needs to be left alone to develop. But I agree with them that we should tread Africa as one entity, its countries are so different.


• It's not clear whether the climate changed is a result of people's behavior or just a natural cycle. Dr. Ferenc Miskolczi had tried to convience us it was the latter, but his presentation was too scientific to get through to our minds. He has left NASA as a protest, as they didn't agree to publish his reseach.
  
• Recycling is an exciting business. During a visit to a waste separating enterpise, we learned they were profitable, every week they find an ID card in the waste, they sign agreements with companies to keep private information found the waste, local students separate waste to earn money in summer, blocks of cans really cost a lot, etc. I wouldn't mind being a PR manager of such an enterprise one time.
  
• Every party is a phenomena of human relations. There are hunters, victims, outsiders, etc. Everyone tries to find his/her own place with success or failure, and I'm not an exception. At first I'm very active trying different roles, but by about 3am I start thinking to much about my life and get a bit depressed. Alcohol doesn't help.


• Patriotism is not something bad, but Russians have many complexes about that. While abroad, they prefer not to mix with other Russians. But this has been another case. Katya and I have been an excellent delegation represented our country. We proudly marched through Pecs in national wear. On the Country Show we sang "Oy da ne vecher, da ne vecher" and danced with "Chastushki Babki-Yozhki" music.
  
• Environmental education should strart from the kindergarden. I was surprised, when our international discussion showed, that my school activities in Turkmenistan were the most advanced. So, we had courses from an NGO on responsible water consumption, we had competitions on creative usage of plastic bottles, we celeberaded "A drop of water is a grain of gold" Holiday.
  
• I've moved to Moscow from Turkmenistan, but I'm proud to represent Russia on such events, as this country has given me many opportunities. During the festival we went to the concert of Deti Picasso, band from Moscow. The performance was fantastic, and we greeted them with a Russian flag, but by the end they took away an Armenian flag. Yes, they were born in Yerevan, but they should have used two flags, as Moscow has given them the chance to live.

Hello!

I cant’ believe that just this morning I was in the office sitting in front of the computer. Now I’m sitting in a train heading from Budapest to Pecs. The trip from Moscow has been an entire adventure itself, so that I would like to share some of my impressions with you, starting from yesterday:

It seems that CSR is everywhere! Yesterday I went to cinema with another CSR Consultant, from EY. The movie started with a presentation for a pharmaceutical company’s management board. A PR Consultant was trying to convince them to distribute medicine free of charge “to change the world for the future”. This morning I bought GEO Magazine in Okhotny Ryad. And what do you think? It’s devoted to alternative energy sources. On the plane I was thinking about CSR in airlines, when I saw a video about what IATA thinks of CO2 emissions. Today airlines produce 2% of global CO2 emissions, but their goal is to reduce it to 0% by enhancing energy efficiency.

Hungary is so familiar! I’ve been surprised to see ailanthus, acacia, weeping willow and other trees that also grow in Ashgabat, my home town. Another surprise happened when I saw that cars in the Budapest Metro are made in Mytishi, Russia. They look exactly the same like in Moscow, but the stations are not so gorgeous, of course. When I went to Arena Plaza, the biggest shopping centre in Budapest to buy a local SIM card, I didn’t find much difference with Okhotny Ryad and other Moscow shops. Mexx, Zara, Springfield, etc. I even found the same pants I had bought in Moscow! What is the point of going abroad then? And when I was eating my chicken in a café, the people next to me were speaking Russian. Moreover, now on the train I’m sitting next to four Ukrainians going for the same conference.

People are happy! You might know that the Hungarians and the Estonians have common roots – they are Finno-Ugric nations. So, I expected that locals would be as quite and reserved as Estonians, but actually they are completely the opposite. There are so many smiling faces on the streets! Women are discussing something emotionally, children are laughing, and couples are kissing. It’s so great to see that people are satisfied with their lives! Even today I saw an Azerbaijani family with about 7 children. One of them was mentally handicapped and had to use a wheelchair, but the parents carried him smiling. In the Budapest subway I saw a couple of mature people. He was blind, but they were walking arm-in-arm smiling.

Hugs, Sasha

I'm a graduate!

Official ceremony in the Ministry of Finance of the RF

Heaven in Moscow

Yesterday I withnessed an amazing state of the weather - rainbow, sunset, and heavy rain at the same time. I felt like the God was talking with me.

James Bond Party