In a different take, A woman beating up a traffic police man in Ranchi, Jharkhand, Dec. 1 afternoon after the latter allegedly fined her husband extra penalty than what is provisioned for flouting parking regulation. (Press Trust of India)

Siliconeer thanks all readers as it completes another year of publication. We wish all our readers, family and friends a safe and happy holidays. – @Siliconeer #Siliconeer #SiliconeerEditorial #Demonetisation #Demonetization #SirJCBose #KehkashanBasu  #OaklandFire #Jayalalithaa #MunniBegum #SiliconeerEditorialDecember2016 #India #IndianCulture #narendramodi @namo #namo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the banning of high value currencies. Terming it a “surgical strike” against corruption, Modi explained that this would be his first move to clean out black or untaxed money, and fake currency from Asia’s third largest economy. This sudden move by Indian Prime Minister has had a ripple effect and every Indian, whether in India or abroad, has been touched in one way or the other, writes Priyanka Bhardwaj. There is a lot of confusion and worry amongst the Non-resident Indians living here as GOPIO outlines. Even the San Francisco Indian Consulate is mute, choosing to not respond to Siliconeer queries in this respect.

It was Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision that the state should control the commanding heights of the economy, whether it is banks, aviation or railways.  Such a thought process had its relevance at the time of India’s independence when years of colonial rule had destroyed the country’s ability to stand on its feet. Today Indian private sector majors, whether it is Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank, Tata Group, Adani, Infosys, or AirTel, have established themselves as companies that make a difference to the lives of millions, as employers or producers of goods and services. The government, however, continues to exercise control over many functions and services, several of which are criticized for inefficiencies and obsolescence. This includes the Railways, Air India, hospitals and schools, writes Siddharth Srivastava.

November 30 was the 158th birth anniversary of India’s pioneering scientist Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose. Ashfaque Swapan offers a tribute to this remarkable man and scientist.

A 16-year-old Indian environmental activist based in the UAE has won this year’s prestigious International Children’s Peace Prize for her fight for climate justice and combating environmental degradation. Siliconeer looks at the work of Kehkashan Basu.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli said, Nov. 29, that he is happy that in a space of 12 months the questions about why the team is opting to win on “unfair tracks” have turned into how it is winning on “good wickets,” writes Kushan Sarkar.

Her name has lasted much longer than its meaning. “Munni” (Little One) is usually a nickname given to a girl child in our culture, one which she is supposed to outgrow with age. But here we have Munni Begum (real name Nadira) who has made a significant place for herself in the world of Ghazal singing since the 1970’s and over 40 years later her command of her craft has not diminished one bit. She is still known as Munni Begum. And her recent return visit to the Sacramento area was welcomed by close to 300 people here with a great deal of enthusiasm, writes Ras H. Siddiqui.

We at Siliconeer are deeply saddened by the recent events as we wrap our last issue of the year. The recent fire in Oakland, Calif. warehouse has claimed at least 36 lives, and the tragedy is still growing. Our thoughts and prayers are with families of all victims.

File photo of AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa. Jayalalithaa, 68, passed away at Chennai's Apollo Hospital Dec. 5, after suffering a cardiac arrest. (Press Trust of India)
File photo of AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa. Jayalalithaa, 68, passed away at Chennai’s Apollo Hospital Dec. 5, after suffering a cardiac arrest. (Press Trust of India)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa passed away Dec. 5 after she suffered a cardiac arrest.

Siliconeer wishes all readers a safe and happy holidays!