Thoughts Flux

Great Expectations

2011-04-01T23:28:00.005+01:00

No, I am not reviewing and dare not review the Charles Dickens' classic. I am thinking about the Cricket World Cup 2011 finale like all my fellow Indians.

Though a cliché, I cannot resist saying that this is 'as big as it gets' but I want to include 'in cricket, every four years' :). For the two countries participating,

the event is the biggest opportunity in sporting history since 1996 for Srilanka and for since 1983 for India. There is no other sport which gets the fans roaring and media going crazy in both the countries. Regardless of which side wins, history will be made. Both teams are fighting for their second title of World Champions since its induction in 1975.

A win for India is all the heart wants and a win for India is what the brain predicts but predictions like mine are dime a dozen. Any follower of Indian cricket and a religion called Sachinism, will predict the same and want the same. Nothing will give us more pleasure than Dhoni holding the cup aloft and Sachin smiling from ear to ear.

The day comes but rarely,

when the brain doesn't think clearly.

The heart skips many a beat,

for thats the cricket fever's heat.

This one goes for the two greats,

who play their last world cup.

Off field, they may be mates,

on field, they can cause a stirrup.

A certain God of this game,

whose willow can make any ball look lame.

His innings are nothing short of wonder,

and can tear any bowling attack asunder.

A magician called Murli for his team,

can cast a spell and take the cream.

A magical turn of his wrist,

can bring an end to any batsman's tryst.

It is said that the World Cup deserves Sachin as much as Sachin deserves the world cup. It is going to be impossible to control the adrenaline and goosebumps tomorrow if India becomes the world champion. I will not be angry at the Indian team tomorrow if they lose but applaud the opposition for they would have deserved it.

But then again, I cannot help but imagine the time being frozen when Dhoni lifts the cup and the victory roar from India reaches the heavens.

That will be the moment I will refer to as 'where were you when India won the world cup' moment of our generation.

Of Ego Inflation and Popularity Quotients

2011-03-15T02:40:00.009Z

Every human being will have an inflated ego quite a few times in his life. This is a fact that many will concur with. Amazingly, this leads to a brilliant way of increasing one's popularity quotient. It has been used by celebrities, movie stars, authors etc. for ages and it still is as effective as ever.

We Indians are one of the most eager lot to lap up the praise unabashedly when someone doles it out. We barely care about its truthfulness or the reason behind; we just need to get a dose of it. It is a form of ecstasy, a form of bhang which fills us with hot air and takes us to cloud nine. We become putty in his/her hands and are led like a magician leads a hypnotized volunteer.

Jeffrey Archer writes a book, comes to India, and praises the Indians and his popularity quotient sky rockets. Taking nothing away from his literary genius, the ego inflation strategy is at work here. It is brilliantly used by the publishers and the author himself to get the sales soaring in one of the biggest English speaking populations. To top that, our journalists are nothing short of putting words in his mouth, just to get him speak good about us. Questions like 'Do you think Indian readers are one of the best in the world?', 'Do you think India has a good chance at the World Cup?', 'Do you like to come to India often', 'Do you want to stay in India' etc. His answers, of course, are all positive and brimming with incredibleness of India and we wallow in pride! Shouldn’t we be asking the author about his latest book and not about his interest in paneer tikka masala at bobby da dhaba?

Our movie stars go to all the cities to promote their movies. Claims like 'I love you all'; 'your city’s crowd is the best in India' and 'This city is my second home' etc. are not uncommon at all. These claims are repeated in all the cities they visit and it is not difficult to make out the fake smile and the reason behind their admiration for you. Still, we believe them. We go and watch their movie. Many do because Akshay said we are the best and SRK threw out a kiss and said he loves our city! There is no denying that popularity quotient touches new highs for the celebrities with those city dwellers. Till it fades, the tickets are sold, movie’s over, concerts are sung and money has been made.

It’s not just regular common Indian man who gloats when extolled, we have some known people too. There are men who could have been successful if only they could have kept their heads on their shoulders. There are many examples in the Indian cricket team. Press puffed up Parthiv Patel's ego when he got selected in Indian cricket team when he was less than 20 years of age. Soon, he had his big head filled with hot air when sledged Steve Waugh in a match! He would have been way better and seen in international squad more often had he tried making his game better rather than sledging greats, double his age and caliber. Sreesanth was praised for aggression by commentators and press and he took it too seriously and it keeps landing him in trouble. Not everyone can be Sachin and that is not the point of these examples. When someone extols us, we take it at face value and get big headed.

The praise is not always fake and not always for a gain. Nevertheless, I cannot disagree to the fact that inflating someone else's ego definitely raises your popularity quotient.
Now, that I have started blogging after a long gap, I need to get my readers back! You guys are the BEST blog readers ever, in the whole World Wide Web!! How can someone ever match your blog reading skills and commenting talent? I love you all...you make the writing all worthwhile. Go ahead, comment and do come back for more posts!! :)

Restart...or so I think

2011-03-07T22:58:00.010Z

There, I go again. Out of the blue, one fine day, something tells me...Go, update your blog.
Maybe, I will heed to it. In the past 2-3 years of blogging lethargy, I do not know if I can write anything at all. Even if I do, will it be interesting, simple and read by someone other than me? Well, I don't give a damn!

Or do I?

Hmm..I can be sure of my wife reading it and can coax/force a few friends to do so too ;) And now that my friends keep clicking on all the links I post on facebook (I do post interesting ones!!), I think they will read this too!

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO WRITE

I am in Chicago now,
enjoying the intermittent snow.
I have no clue what I wanna write,
I am still trying to find an idea, bright!

I once said, I'll always update the blog,
Its more than just my daily log.
I soon realised, its not a simple job,
like eating the corn and throwing the cob.

Now, I am going to glug a beer,
maybe that brings in some cheer.
I'll string some words and make them rhyme.
and writing nonsense won't feel like a crime!

I know no one's forcing me to write,

but many will know a blogger's plight.
I will write with all my might,

just don't tell me to get out of your sight!

Schumacher Reloaded

2009-07-30T06:58:00.001+01:00

Schumi, now an occasional motorcycle racer, gets an additional pair of wheels.Michael Schumacher aka Schumi is making his foray into Formula 1 yet again. This time too, his chosen steed will be a Ferrari . Ferrari wants Schumi to fill Massa's spot for a while.

Felipe Massa has established himself as one of the top drivers in the world with all the glory he has achieved after joining Ferrari last year. The Brazilian was hit in the helmet by an errant from another car and crashed into tyre barrier at about 120 mph during qualifying race of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

While Massa recovers from the skull fracture and concussion, Ferrari announced that Schumi will replace the former till he is fit to race again. Schumi will have an intensive training session before the European GP and once again have a go at points. He will have to undergo a fitness test after the prep programme before he can be entrusted with the car in Valencia. Schumi, being a Ferrari loyal, was more or less present in all the GPs post retirement as a Ferrari consultant and is abreast with team strategies etc. Though he may not be in the thick of things, for a talented driver like him, it should not take more than a few test sessions to vroom away in the F60.

Interestingly, there are quite a few top drivers who entered F1 after Schumi retired in 2006. The Vettels and Hamiltons have a lot to look forward to. Michael was one of the youngest to win a title when he was 25. Now, time will tell if he can become the 'oldest' to win a race atleast! Though, he may not be able to win immediately, but this mototsport icon will definitely hunt down the chequered flag before the end of the season.

Lance Armstrong won the Tour De France after a gap of three years. Michael Jordan came back and won after he had hung up his boots once. Can Schumi repeat the feat in F1?

Lets hope that atrophy has not set in and celebrate this return of the legend.

Hail the German speed God!

Movie Review: Jodha Akbar

2008-02-17T16:32:00.006Z

Movie befitting a Shehaeshah! Ashthosh Gowariker has delivered this jewel by simplifying the elaborate complexities in the royal love story. In his unique way of movie making, he has taken care of all the nuances to give it the most authentic feel without overdoing any bit of it. The couple were betrothed only for political reasons but thereafter cupid sets to work and Ashutosh Gowariker portrays very well.

Like Lagaan, this period film, starts with Amitabh's baritone setting the story in motion with 15th century India's map on screen. After Baadshah Humayun's untimely death, Prince Jalaluddin had to accept the weight of ruling Hindustan on his early teens. Bairam Khan, the fiercely loyal general of Mughals, set his eyes on expanding the Mugahl Empire for Jalal. Hrithik (born to play Akbar), lights up the screen as the teenage prince becomes the Shehenshah.
The youthful Jalal intends to take his own decisions after a battle with the Rajputana Kings who refuse to surrender their kingdom. Bairam Khan is sent on 'exile' to Mecca and the vanquished Rajput king spared to rule his kingdom under Jalauddin. Its been a long time in Indian cinema that we saw war sequences so elaborately set. The number of people marshalled to recreate the Mughal force was a treat to watch. Another Rajput king, Raja Bharmal, played by Kulbhushan Kharbanda, visits Jalal and proposes him to marry his daughter to save his kingdom from his nephew Sujamal's conspiracy.

The taming of a wild elephant scene by Jalaluddin is fantastic and one of the many 'not to be missed scenes' in the movie. It was very well shot and depicted the bravery Mughal Emperors possessed. Very unlike the usual Bollywood, the hero did not have 'extraordinary abilities' to jump as high as an elephant but used his mental ability to jump atop the animal.

When fate gets Jalaluddin and Jodha betrothed, the political drama ceases and gives way to the romance which blossoms in an unconventional way. Jalal, being a just Emperor gives his wife the honour she deserves and also allows her to follow her religion inside Agra fort. This leads to vehement opposition from one particular Mullah/preist in Akbar's court whom he later sends to Mecca (was it Akbar's hobby? :)). The love blossoms within the walls of Agra Fort though it pricks the eye of many including Jalal's foster mother, Maham Anga, played villianously to the core by Ila Arun.

The movie ends with a hand-duel between Sharifuddin, Jalal's vile conspirator brother-in-law. Though, the villian is shown to be more muscular and well sculpted, Akbar's dialogue sets his intentions straight even before the fight begins - 'Hindustan ko mein galat haathon mein nahin jaane de sakta'.

A.R.Rehman cannot stop making good music relevant to the theme. Though the music is not catchy from the moment you listen to the songs in the movie, you will have it on your tongue sooner than you think. The Sufi song Khwaja Mere Khwaja, is shown without slightest pretense of being what it is not (a regular movie song). The Sufi singers wear the authentic clothes complete with upturned flower pot like hats and sing as if they were the real Sufi singers of 15th century(or so it makes viewers feel). 'Kehne ko jahsn-e-bahaara hai..' is another cherry in the cake baked by Rehman. The lyrics are well written too. The entire kingdom hails Jalal and confers him the title 'Akbar' with the song 'Azeem-o-shaan shhenshah', which is the catchiest song of the movie. It is complete with aerial shots of dance sequences (a la Replublic Day parade by different states of India).

The pure urdu and chaste hindi used in the movie is not very easy to understand for everyone but does adds to the charm of the love story. Hritik looks as handsome as ever and Aishwarya is unparalleled in beauty on screen. This might be the one of the best performances of the duo.

I am unsure if Ashutosh Gowariker has taken any historical liberty and modified facts but the movie is an entertainer. See it for Hritik, See it for Aish, see it for Mr.Gowariker's direction and see it for the love story -see it for yourself.

If 5 stars is the scale you prefer, I would give it a 3/3.5 undoubtedly.

Happy Diwali!

2007-11-09T11:21:00.000Z

Happy Diwali and a prosperous new year!

While you enjoy the fireworks and sweets, do spare a thought for the child labour in Sivakasi. Dhanunjay captures their plight in his Diwali blog here.

Whale of a time in Wales

2007-10-14T18:09:00.000+01:00

One sunny Saturday, we set out for Wales from Reading. After a few initial hiccups, the journey started off enthusiastically. 3 cars-15 bachelors- a splendidly smooth M4 motorway....needless to say was the fire-cotton-oxygen combination. Once we were on the highway, the straight stretch of smooth silky asphalt compelled us to test the cars' potential. It was hard to keep the dictum 'Speed thrills but kills' in mind. Almost everyone was envious of the one in the driver's seat. A rotation policy was set in place, so that everybody gets to control the car for sometime before reaching Wales.

The huge hanging 'Severn Bridge' across the Atlantic was our gateway to Wales from Bristol, England. After a burger break at wayside service 'Welcome Break', we were on our way to Swansea. Trying to interpret the English meanings of welsh signposts and traffic rules on the road, kept us engaged and entertained till Swansea. We gathered and remembered that 'Araf' means 'slow down' and 'Arafwch' means 'Slow down now' by the time we reached Swansea(still unsure on how to pronounce that).

Swansea is a beautiful city with a few beaches, green landscape and mainly the cliffs directly opening into the sea. The sea breeze at Swansea Marina with the vast expanse of water for a view was pretty relaxing, considering, the usual other scenic encounters we have are the windows screensavers. We learnt that Swansea is also called 'Abertawe' or the mouth of river Tawe! Photographs in ‘poses like our Darwinian forefathers’ and a beer or two later, everyone decided to head to Cardiff, the Welsh capital.

The drive again was a heavenly endeavour and we reached Cardiff Bay. The Cardiff bay was in midst of a summer festival. The folks were blithe listening to live band and carousing. The Wales Millennium Centre was the most dominating structure of the bay. It is a centre of Welsh performing arts. The bronze colour of the dome was beautifully different from the regular buildings, it being created with steel treated with copper oxide. The welsh words on the dome proclaimed "Creating truth like glass from the furnace of inspiration" and in English it said "In these stones, horizons sing". Though it looked a jumble of letters when read there (thanks to the alien welsh language), a simple search on Google cleared the clouds. A wishing well in the compound was a good place to spend some one penny coins we abhor to carry around.

We went around the Cardiff Bay taking in the gala atmosphere. Cardiff bay was lively with every pub, bar and restaurant overflowing with crowd in festive mood. When our stomachs reminded us of their existence, we found a fantastic Italian restaurant called ‘Bellinis’ near ‘Signor Valentino’. The chardonnay we ordered was best we all had ever had and was enough for couple of us to say no to car driving for that night. After gorging on a sumptuous dinner, like sharks in Wales (pun intended), we made the two birthday boys with us, cut the cake.

We were on the road once again. This time, the destination was ‘Blacksheep backpackers’ in a small village of Abergavenny in Monmouthshire town. The adventure was about to begin. We knocked (and later banged) on the door of the hostel, called them on the phone, but to no avail. Couple of us managed to peep through the back window and bang on it to awaken the sleeping watchman while the rest were revving the cars and discussing the features as if they were to appear in Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson. After about half an hour of toil, the watchman woke up but swore he would never let anyone of us enter. As we were planning to drive back to Reading, the cops appeared out of nowhere and parked their cars so close to ours, so we couldn’t move without hitting it. Luckily, for us, we had the booking printouts handy and cops managed to get us inside the hostel while the watchman apologised (supposedly, the manager hadn’t informed of our arrival). Whew! The double decked bed was inviting after a rapid day full of interesting adventures.

Sunday morning brought with it clouds and showers, though it was quite bright luckily. With 15 of us in one small backpacking house, it was almost felt that we had taken over the place. The owners gladly filled the empty racks with cornflakes and bread and made us feel at home. Our next plan was to see Pembroke and head back to Reading.

Pembroke castle was worth a visit as we were able to access the towers and view the panoramic beauty of Pembroke. Though, this was not among the best of the castles we’ve seen, castle with river flowing beside them always is a treat to see. Castle done, we reached the airfield where we had booked a helicopter ride. The anticipation of being in a helicopter for the first time was big for all of us. Weather played a spoil sport and only four of us could get a ride in the helicopter. The incessant rain hampered the flight and due to safety reasons, pilot decided against taking anymore on the bird.

Plenty of photographs later, we were off to Reading stopping by at the Pembroke beach to adore the scenic beauty of cliff falling straight into the sea. A drive on M4 was again exhilarating. Raring to have a go, all the cars raced against each other, though keeping safety first. The gang in Volkswagen Golf got a free picture taken by the speed camera.

Thankfully, everyone was smiling at the time!

The unsung great of Twenty20: RP Singh

2007-09-29T13:04:00.000+01:00

Why is nobody talking about RP Singh? This lad showed potential par excellence, scalping wickets with fantastic variation in line and length. Three crucial Pakistani wickets were his gift to Indian cricket team in the finals and he did it with a temperament like a cucumber. His contribution throughout the series cannot be overlooked.

I have been googling to find out the awards showered on him and I am sorry to say there are barely any. UP Govt has announced one award(Manyavar Kanshiramji International Sports Award) which holds a cash award of Rs.10 lakhs and this is the only individual award he has been conferred.

The cash awards being recieved by the other players completely overshadow Rudra's achievements. Joginder Sharma, who was a dream bowler for any batsman, gets Rs. 21 Lakhs from Haryana government. This award is not because, he did his job right in the last over, but because Misbah commited a cricketing crime. The poster boy Yuvraj gets a deserved cash award for 6-sixes but isn't Rs.1 Crore a wee bit excessive?? These are but a few examples of cash and kind awards for the few popular ones.

If I was a certain Mr.Modi, I would have split Rs. 1 Crore between Yuvraj, RP Singh, Rohit Sharma and Irfan Pathan. Yuvraj and Pathan are mainstays of Indian Cricket for a long time now but RP Singh and Rohit Sharma should be encouraged.

We would not be so elated today if the contribution from RP Singh and Rohit Sharma was missing. Rohit Sharma atleast stole the thunder in Semi finals by hitting 50 runs but RP did his job to keep Australia from reaching that score. RP Singh is one of the most prmomising bowler in the phalanx of Indian pace bowlers and yet he is being neglected like a hockey player(yes, they are neglected in our country). RP Singh's reticient approach to cricket is the distinguishing factor. RP’s figure in semifinals 4-0-13-0 were the key in India reaching the finals.

Are the rich and famous, who can sponsor awards listening? Is BCCI listening? Is the government of UP listening? RP Singh is here to win matches and be a mainstay in Indian cricket and looks as bankable as any excellent cricketer can be.

T20 World Cup: Is there any other news today?

2007-09-25T08:53:00.001+01:00

Yay!

Adding to the copious amount of digital ink understandably spilled over India winning T20 world cup, here is my part. In the sheer ecstatic state of mind, I congratulate every Indian in the world. It was our day without doubt as lady luck was beaming at the well prepared team. Though Misbah almost vanquished her, she came back to give us glory by dropping the ball in Sreesanth's hands. Everyone in the team played their part, and everyone excelled.
Hearts skipped a few beats, blood in veins froze, when Misbah launched the ball skywards off Joginder in the last over. Only after the ball came down into Sreesath's hands, the bodily functions restarted normally but this time, adrenaline flowed with the blood. The high-decibel sound of victory which rose from my apartment in a quiet place in Reading sure did send the english neighbours scurrying to their phone to call the cops. But they would have understood the state of mind if they switched on sky sports.
I am not the one of those hyper enthusiastic fans to criticise Indian team whenever they lose but when then win, and win with dignity, I cannot resist a skip, a hop and bhangra!! I am sure there was a prayer going skywards from every cricket fan.

Malik and Pak team need PR coach

I really admire the way they played yesterday and almost snatched a winning match from India and I respect Malik's captaincy. But Shoaib Malik, shouldering the huge responsibility of being Pak cricket team captain, needs his PR skills or atleast his interview skills honed. The statement thanking all "muslims" in the world for supporting Pakistan Cricket team was so uncalled for. This could have been a slip of tongue or ignorance, but neither is a defence in court of law, in this case on 'international podium'. Ironically, Irfan Pathan came immediately after Malik's interview to collect man of the match award. Did a muslim send three top Pak batsmen back on the bench for 16 runs...nah, an Indian did.

The television channels

All programs were postponed and every advertisement put on hold, or so it seemed, when all you could see on screen was a shirtless Dhoni, a dancing Bajji, an assaulted but grinning Sehwag, calm(??) Sreesanth and ecstatic Pathan brothers. Yuvraj, RP and everybody else, needless to say, were over the moon. Any other day, I would hate Star news and Aaj tak to the point of revoking their licenses if I had my way, but I didn't mind their crap headlines and pathetic news presentation as they showed the jumping jacks in the country and fireworks being bursted as if to announce the win to the world. Aaj Tak even made Kapil praaji dance to their DJ's tunes. NDTV bought in Imran Khan, who had to put on a plastic smile, but as usual spoke sense. Sidhu went berserk on NDTV and asked everyont to become 'talli' and claimed he would have given Yuvi the 'man of the tournament' award instead of Afridi.

I know, you all know what I just wrote, but duuuudess!! (and dudettes too), I am over the moon too!
Sidhuism: 'Today was a colossal moment in the Indian cricketing history and I am as proud as a cat's whiskers!'

The Greatness Guide: Book review

2007-09-21T16:26:00.000+01:00

Robin Sharma, the leadership guru, who was catapulted into worldwide fame with his book ‘Monk who sold his Ferrari’, has added another feather to his cap with his next book ‘The Greatness Guide’. This book will appeal to his ardent fans while broadening his admirer base. His compilation of keen observations and inferences make it worth a read and a re-read. The ideas in the book are provocative and high-impact challenging one to lay claim on greatness. Contrary to the extremely idealistic ideas presented in the previous book, ‘The Greatness Guide’ is practical and the ideas detailed can be effectively put into practice in daily life.

The ideas in the book are divided into 101 chapters thus proffering a to-do list of ‘101 things’ for achieving greatness. This is not a book to be read like novel but a chapter a day can give you daily dose of greatness. Each chapter is self contained and discusses an idea by illustrating them with germane quotes and adages by the greats of the world. The content of the book is a good collection of practices of the known greats and anecdotes from author’s own experience. He delivers small but priceless tit-bits in a platter where you just need to pick and choose the dish you want to commence your meal of greatness with.

The language used in the book and the way of writing is admiringly "simple". The book is easily understandable as it is written in a manner that seems like Sharma wants to personally sit and talk to you over a cup of coffee. Sharma’s wisdom is framed in an accessible way and can influence a reader at any level. Sharma reconfirms that there is no Prof. Dumbledore’s magic potion with the help of which one achieves greatness but at the same time, his ideas emphatically tell you that no Lord Voldemort has to be vanquished to attain greatness. Doing the few simple things excellently and regularly is the key.

On the downside, there are plenty of repetitions throughout the book. This might feel like a flaw but it does help in drilling down the more important points. Further, though the small chapters keep the lessons precise and simple, you may soon forget few as you read ahead for the reason that lesser the time you linger on an idea, sooner you forget. Furthermore, though the book has its singularity, it is reminiscent of few other self help / motivational books.

I suggest you to read the book with the purpose of knowing what you need to be like ‘Bono’, a brand like ‘Diddy’, speak like a Superstar and act like a rock star. Also read it to think like a CEO while leading without title, adding value to clients and be a “Merchant of wow”.

You would have already heard lots of advices in the book before like I have and thus to me, the book was a wake up call to just do what I already know. This book in plain and simple terms told me to stop procrastinating and start climbing the ladder to greatness. If you are the kind who just brushes off counsels, then this book will not be of much help. It tells you what to do and how to do it but doesn’t force you enough to do it. The person with a little motivation in himself can go great lengths with the ideas in the book.

There are a few counsels I disagree with like “Work Hard, Get lucky”. This mantra alone will not suffice to get stuff done; you need to add a dash of smartness to get lucky. I would rather say “Work smart, Get lucky”. Though I closed the book with my own doubts on few things he said, I had a clear picture and an adequate list of things to do.

The author, being a leadership guru for various multinationals provides massive inputs on customer satisfaction and enjoying work. Sharma says “Customers buy with their hearts”, which can be understood as “move the chords of human emotions and they will be with you forever”. Give the clients what they want and something extra, add a freebie, celebrate the clients’ achievement and you are guaranteed projects.
Contrary to the popular notion that leader is one who is liked by all, Robin claims in “Leadership isn’t a popularity contest” that being a leader is not about being liked but only about doing the right things. No wonder the majority hate their bosses.
In “The Innovator’s mantra”, the author says ‘The enemy of the best is good’. A brilliant thought. This statement bluntly dares one to make things better than before. The bottom line is let innovation be your heartbeat.

From the personal viewpoint, there are many perfect ideas to be instituted in our system. Sharma’s quote "As you live your hours, so you create your years. As you live your days, so you craft your life." made me realize the moments I have just let pass by lying down and staring at the ceiling. It should be action time every minute. He stresses as much on slowing down sometimes to think ahead and meditate but he never mentions the word ‘stop’. I learnt that my hours make up my life rather than days and years.
I have learnt that I may do best when I am faced with the worst as Sharma so wisely says "Great achievement often happens when our backs are up against the wall."
In “Drink Coffee with Gandhi”, the author says that reading a book by someone you respect allows some of their brilliance to rub off on you. In "Your Schedule Doesn't Lie," Sharma pin points the need to schedule and prioritize the things you really want to do in your life.
“Be a merchant of Wow” says Sharma. This is something I knew and reading it in the book repeatedly in different styles just made me wonder what all can be achieved by just making people around you happy, not to mention the customers.

To make a précis of Sharma’s book of ideas, each of these chapters can be considered as groundwork to construct your monument of greatness. Reading each chapter either will implant a new idea in the brain or refine an old one.

Why most Iyers are ‘not-slim’?

2006-11-18T04:33:00.000Z

An Iyer by birth and traditions being followed at home, I have met more than enough Iyers to confirm my belief that 75-80% of us are “horizontally-challenged”, or should I just say ‘fat’ without using the politically correct phrase. It wasn’t very difficult to find the pretty evident reason for Iyer-flab. Its not only the special gene which hides in an Indian's body and stores the fat as it comes in but it also is the Iyer's appetite combined with traditions(aka 'reasons to eat' in Iyer lingo!).

Iyers, as a community, believe in ‘pehle pate pooja, fir kaam dooja’. Every occasion: diwali/dussehra or pongal; avani-avatam/skandashshti or krishna jayanti; karthikai or any other day has a specific food item, most of them fried or sweet but all fatty. And if you are thinking, its just on ocaasions, try counting the number of ocaasions/festivals and I am sure the number will be comparable to the number of cricket matches India has lost.

'The Iyer food guide' or 'Eat - The Iyer Way', if written will be the books Iyers will never bother reading because eating is a trait which passes on from parent to child as effortlessly as Rajnikanth catches his cigarrete with his mouth. A minimum of three courses with a 'payasam' (the dessert) round in between the second and third course is the most common sight in lavish food arrangements in any proper joint family, Iyer household and with mamis ever-ready to cook. First course begins with rice with generous helping of ghee, and small amount of dal with Sambaar in tow. Second course is rice and rasam, with chips or papadaam. All this is served with a minimum of four torans/poriyals/kootaans (aka curries). A 'payasam' round (short & sweet) before the third course. Finally, the main course consisting of the famous 'taeer-saadam' (curd rice for the uninitiated).

Christians have the time of Lent, when they give up something for God..meat, alcohol or the likes. Muslims fast during Ramzan. And Ramzan is a whole month. Most North Indian Hindus fast atleast one day a week: for Lord Shiva on Monday, Hanuman on Tuesday, Ganapati on Wednesday, Shirdi Sai on thursday, Santoshi Mata on Friday or Shani bhagwan on saturday. At least they rest on a Sunday(or there might be some fasting for Sun God). 'Iyers and fasting' can never be written in the same sentence (Did I just attempt the impossible??). Even on the amavasya nights, when we think we are fasting, its okay to have 'palahaaram' i.e stuff like dosas, idlis, upma et al.

Anyways, I am not going to change any of that and continue eating food, the iyer-way. And I bet many Iyers will agree. If Popeye was an Iyer, his song would start with something like ...

'I am what I am,

I eat, what I can!

I am Popeye the Iyer man!!'

I cannot agree more when they say, "If you can't fit in the jeans, blame it on the genes" !!

A pre-winter blog hibernation

2006-09-24T15:26:00.000+01:00

The work weighs down upon my shoulder. I hope to sneak some time out for updating Thoughts Flux. But hope as I may, it might not happen. Thus, hibernating for a while whilst I do the functional design of some software components (hopefully will do it well). i.e no new posts for a while :(

Advices for free....Advices for free...

2006-09-15T11:55:00.000+01:00

Why do you give advices so often,
I accidently ask a wise one.
Smiling wide he tells me; Son,
Advices are free, one or a ton.

He continues as if I had urged him on,
Non-stop he just goes on and on.
Opinions galore, he never does stop,
Give him hints and he still prods on.

For no reason, he squanders advice,
His wisdom has become his biggest vice.
For no reason, he keeps telling one and all,
What all to do, and not take a fall.

The free advisors are pain in the ass,
one chance and they start their class.
Most advices they give are trash,
in the smallest pause, just make a dash.

I beg the gratitious advisors to stop,
don't bore us till we die or drop.
Only when asked, show the wisdom,
or can the crap, you stupid bum.

The speed God kips down

2006-09-12T14:11:00.000+01:00

1991-2006

Micheal Schumacher, the name which resounded loud and clear whenever Formula 1 was mentioned, confirms his retirement today. Schumi, as he's named by the media, announces his retirement after a thumping victory on Ferrari home track of Monza, Italy. Schumacher scored his 90th victory and is two points behind the championship leader Alonso at 108 points.

1991, Schumi first set foot on F1 track and now finishes his car-eer(pun intended) with seven championships and one in sight. He had his share of controversies including being questioned during Ayrton Sena's death, penalised for banging Damon Hill deliberately, penalised for stopping during qualifiers hindering Alonso etc.

"Now I just want to concentrate on the last three wins and finish the season in style, hopefully with the championship. We took a big step today," said Schumacher in the pres conference. I wish him all the luck for that.

The almost-eight time world champion of the high octane sport calls it a day while still on top.

Thus, endeth an era.

Ek Nazm...

2006-09-05T10:08:00.000+01:00

Falak hai baadalon se bhara hua,
zameen tarasti hain paani ke liye.
Zehen hai lafzon se bhara hua,
ungliya tarasti hai likhne ke liye.

Shayar nahin kar rahein hain shayari,
Shayad hai unper kisi gam ka bhaar.
Sun ney ki aas mein hai duniya saari,
Fir Shayar habib ko kaisey karey inkaar.

Likhna tha sher, likh daali nazm,
Badla nahin kuch, per badal gaya dhang.
Shayari karne ki kabhi lee thee kasam,
Sher se muh modkar kar dee hai bhung.

- Shayar Dinesh 'Indorie' ;)

Yay!

2006-08-31T10:06:00.000+01:00

Yay! I am 'desicritic of the day' :)

Dinesh aka LighterVein!

Virgin Comics Review - Issue # 0 & #1

2006-08-28T00:34:00.000+01:00

Issue #0
The free issue which can be downloaded from the Virgin comics site shows a sneak peek into Virgin Comics venture. This preview contains two stories - Devi and Ramayan Reborn.

(The pics are taken from respective Virgin Comics' online edition. For enlarged view, right click on the images and open in new browser)

Devi
Devi, an audacious feminine warrior,the wonder woman from India, sent by the gods to save the world sounds like any other super-human story. Devi is a mystic heroine who kicks some rakshas(demons/monster) butt in the world corrupted by renegade gods and demons. Devi's storyline, as per this preview, is rather conventional and it doesn't impress me as much. The artwork is brilliant and fantastically coloured. A novelty in the storyline is what I will be looking for in the next issue, if writer Siddharth Kotian wants me to be Devi's fan.

Ramayan Reborn
“Scratchy art at places, slapdash appearances” were the first to hit my mind while reading Ramayan Reborn preview. The Ramayan has been reborn with unimpressive artwork. We are directly plunged into the mythological battle between Rama and Ravan. The pace of the story is lighting fast and hectic. There are only three characters shown in this preview, Rama, Laxman & Ravana but I was unable to connect with any. The epic Ramayan has the immense potential to be made into one of the best comic books ever. Will the comics live up to it? The preview may be a misleading here. Anyway, I will pick up the first version when it comes along to see if they can tap the inherent supremacy of the epic.

Issue #1

The Sadhu story
"The Sadhu" has been written by Deepak Chopra's son, Gotham Chopra. It is about a young Englishman, James Jensen, inducted in Queen's army as a soldier and stationed in India. His transformation into a spiritual warrior in India is the story behind Sadhu. Issue 1 runs two parts of the story parallely :
1) Introduction of warriors in India (Bengal, East India specifically) led by sadhu named Dadathakur and
2) A young lad named James Jensen trying to find a life with his wife in London.

Art

Artist Jeevan Kang (Gotham Comics' "Spiderman in India" fame) has proved his mettle again by designing The Sadhu in a form which will appeal internationally. A visibly strong and muscular figure with liberally flowing cape, long wooden staff, long hair, beard and rudraksh necklace makes the sadhu look as much a saint as much as a combatant of evil. The tilak on the forehead completes the authenticity of the sadhu. The art in this first issue is excellent. The characters are distinctive and the action is good.
The minus (if you would want to call it so) in the action, is the war cries include cries like 'Bhagwanji', which doesn't fit in an international comics until the meaning is explained specifically.
The facial expressions have come out great as Kang and S.Sunderkannan (color) do an extraordinary job of portraying emotions. The colour conveys the message, place, time et al extremely well eg. The London of yore is shown in a white snowy background. In short, Jeevan Kang kicks ass.

Conclusion
“The Sadhu” a nice book to read and I am eagerly waiting to read the next issue. And if it will be as Gotham Chopra says 'an epic quest: the conflict between two quintessential human longings--enlightenment and revenge. ', then I am doing a sadhu's penance on one leg for Virgin Comics to release further issues of the comics.

JAI HIND

2006-08-15T10:09:00.000+01:00

Vande Mataram

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by Thee to ever-widening thought and action
-Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake.

Tagore's words of wisdom echo throughout India every year, but as Varkey puts it aptly, "60 years have gone by and we still keep pressing the snooze button". I sincerely hope, we do and do that now.

JAI HIND !

Tuxedo

2006-08-02T12:26:00.000+01:00

Clothes maketh a man, they say.
'Agreed completely', aloud I say.

Coat, trouser, shirt and bow,
maybe chest adorned with a rose.
Wear tuxedos and you will know,
what the superb garb endows.

Clothes maketh a man, they say.
'Agreed completely', again I say.

Pristine black against the white,
The contrast imprints on every sight.
Perfectly clad, smart and bright,
The age old saying's still so right.

Clothes maketh a man, they say.
'Agreed completely', of course I say.

Occasions galore for a tuxedo;
'cause it is but 'Attire Perfecto'.
'Tis for men, status high or low,
be they from cottages or ghetto.

Clothes maketh a man, they say.
'Agreed completely', yet again I say.

Tux is for all, not only for dandy men,
wear it right and you get a perfect ten.
Though tuxes are here for many a gen,
full of elegance, they still do glisten.

Blog-ban: Satire

2006-07-19T16:24:00.002+01:00

Blogban: The Movie Review
*ing:Amitabh Blogchan, Hema Blogini.

BLOGBAN is a story of bonding between parent and child (read blogger and blog) and the sudden denial of child to be with parents. A slight twist in the tale is when, this denial happens due to a third party, the ISPs. Produced by B.R.Chopra (shortened from BlogeR.Chopra), this movie depicts the delicate relationship blogger and his/her blog.

Like a careful gardener aka baghban, the blogger tends his garden (blog) and makes sure it blossoms into a sight to behold. Now when the blogger is ready to bask in its glory, terrible things happen and they are separated. Exasperated and dejected, blogger retaliates peacefully. Amitabh Blogchan and Hema Blogini portray the part of bloggers with utmost ease and grace.

The movie BLOGBAN is rich in emotions and appeals to the class called ‘bloggers’ worldwide. The script writers aka Government of India unknowingly wrote the script of such brilliant nature. BlogeR Chopra(read ISPs) are just mouthpieces who made it public. The result, as we now know is, BLOGBAN.

Though the movie lacks song and dance sequences, the movie is about to surpass records at blogs office as people are still vying to catch a glimpse of their blogs in India. The film has spurred a controversy with all Indian blogistanis asking the government to give back their freedom of internet speech. The movie has also created a furore among the desi bloggers outside des.

Rating: *****

Ferrari Rulzzzzz....

2006-07-03T17:35:00.000+01:00

‘Hit the iron when it is hot’, ‘Make hay while sun shines’….the correctness of these sayings was again proved by Schumacher by winning the pole position and the race at US GP. Indianapolis was a track for Ferrari and Bridgestone, and Michael showed what they are capable of when the conditions are right. Even when the conditions don’t favour, he isn’t the one to let down his and Ferrari’s fans.

Hail Ferrari!

Technologically Challenged Sport

2006-06-28T15:30:00.000+01:00

Willkommen zum Fußball !

This most popular sport in the world, in all its glory, lacks the technological benefit, enjoyed by the other sports in the world. Football has stayed on as it was. Some rules added, some revised, some deleted but referee stayed put and so did referee errors. Referee, though in constant touch on with referees off-field, make so many erratic decisions that some end up altering the result of the match. FIFA World Cup 2006 is no different that the world cup of the eighties.

Why is no third-referee (in line with cricket’s third-umpire) who is looking at the television replays? Or if there is one, why is he not allowed to over rule the on-field referee’s wrong decision? Cricket has kept up with the technology like so many other sports. Why hasn’t football coped up yet?

Referees in this World Cup, have broken the record of maximum red cards shown. Some of them maybe very much necessary and correct, some just are plain erratic decisions. Not only the cards but many penalties granted for no reason or deserving penalties not given ( like thw penalties in favour of Ivory Coast in their last match). These are penalties which might have altered the course of the match. Yellow cards and free kicks were distributed like freebies because of the good acting skills shown by the some footballers (like Thiery Henry’s face covering act to get the free kick [27th Jun – France vs. Spain]). This just reinstates the fact that to err is human and referee is a human.

English referee Graham Poll topped the erratic referee list with stupid decisions in the Croatia-Australia match. The referee in Swiss-German match committed blunder by red-carding Sweden defender Teddy Lucic. Ref Valentin Ivanov, slapped French captain Zinédine Zidane with a yellow card for taking free kick before the whistle had sounded. This is an offense; but not worth a yellow card at least. The examples are endless.

Why is FIFA afraid of technology?
Will it hinder the openness of the sport? Will it hamper fair players? Is FIFA such a poor federation which cannot afford using video feeds to verify decisions instantly? Will it make referees less attentive? Will it discourage lesser fights on field and hence, discourage entertainment?

I fail to understand. But I know one thing for sure, using the technology will not have another ‘Hand of demi-God’ coming into play.

Protest Child Labour in Football !!

2006-06-21T16:01:00.000+01:00

I always had heard and believed that child labour is bad. For all the labour women go through to get children into the world, making the child labour too, obviously, isn’t fair. Looks like FIFA doesn’t believe in this. Neither do the Football Federations of various countries. Disclaimer: If you have a weak heart, if you are a child labour or woman to be in labour, please discontinue reading for this post narrates the cruelties on children in football.

Firstly, children are mercilessly made to stand up holding the sweaty hands of the footballers, who are waiting to get on the field for the match. Poor children might feel dizzy and nauseous by the stink of the sweat. Though this may not be thought of as a health hazard immediately, but continuous exposure may alter the children’s sense of smell and may take a dislike to football and football players. I strongly oppose this torture. It is bad for the children and so for the sport’s future. This can be rectified by FIFA by asking the children to hold hands with footballers’ wives. The perfume would be the best in the world and hand, not as rough as the footballers. :)

Secondly, they are pulled by the footballers to the pitch and made to stand in the sun with country flag’s in hand when their national anthem is being played. If the national anthem is like that of Jamaica, which is more like a pop song, at least children can have fun waving the flags and dancing along. But alas, not all anthems are like that. To counter this, all nations should follow Jamaica’s music for their anthems during football matches.

Then there are children who get the huge round cloth to cover the centre of the pitch, put it there for some time and then run back again to retrieve it. Football was never meant to make porters out of children. This should be done by adults or by footballers themselves.

As if this wasn’t enough, the children are not paid for what they do. Yeah, they might be given a coke can(because coke is a sponsor), but then again, that’s imposing coke on children who might like Pepsi. Doesn’t FIFA have a heart?

FIFA needs to alter the rules and regulations to immediately and put a full stop to this unsympathetic and hard-hearted torture towards children. Asking naïve children to do stuff in the name of sport is so unbecoming of the international federation.
We, football lovers have started a protest group against FIFA. Come and join hands to end this child labour. In the first meeting of the forum, David Beckham will be lighting the lamp. Please join asap and early birds get to hold hands with Beckham.

The winning Formula

2006-06-12T15:20:00.000+01:00

Renault is proving to be the toughest contender yet again. But the man who was trying to be written off by many, still stands tall and is proving that he was cut out to be the legend in Formula One. Any talk about Formula one is not complete without mentioning the name ‘Michael Schumacher’. After nine races this season, the results of the drivers championship says it all. This year, the team tactics and strategy are making impact than previous years in formula one. Renault has shown that they not only possess the best car on the track, they have an intelligent team as well. The strategies were very well implemented by Ferrari and Renault to take over from each other and this race of minds and cars has made this season a brilliant one.

Bahrain started off the season with Alonso, Schumi and Raikonnen on the podium with poster boy Nico Rosberg setting the fastest lap on the circuit. Then Malasiyan GP came in as a little surprise with Giancarlo on the podium ahead of Alonso. Australian GP saw more than its fair share of accidents and mechanical, technical failures but Alonso still held his stead and stood at the podium with Kimi on his right. Ralf Schumacher enjoyed his first podium of the season for Toyota. Nick Heidfeld surprised by notching 5 points in his Sauber-BMW and both Ferraris damaged from accidents had to retire. San Marino GP, Schumi does what he does best. He won the race with Alonso two seconds behind. The European GP saw one of the best tactical moves from the pits and again Schumacher proved the young gun Fernando that he still had the ability. Massa gave a good fight for third place giving Ferrari some extra points and himself a podium. Spanish GP saw Renault appearing again in the front waving the chequered flag with Alonso on top and Fisichella third. Schumacher cruised to an easy second.

The count of Monte Carlo was Fernando Alonso again. A controversial qualifier in Monaco had Schumacher starting from the pits. This was not to hamper the man and he finished fifth and also clocked the fastest lap in the race. Montoya claimed the second spot and Coulthard drove his Redbull to the third position. The beautiful circuit and the only F1 circuit with a tunnel, Monaco, witnessed plenty of breakdowns and failures making an interesting show for the spectators.

Silverstone GP made everyone look up to Feranando with the respect which usually people reserve for Schumi. He made the rest of the cars look as if they were being radio controlled by some kids since he was indomitable throughout the race, right from the pole to the chequered flag. Schumacher started third on the grid but without much effort defeated Raikonnen who came in third. There would not have been this mammoth time difference of ten seconds between the first and second positions if Schumacher was in second place. The analysts feel Raikonnen’s speed kept Schumi from doing his deed and giving a tough fight to Alonso.

Ten races left. The football world cup will overshadow most of it. But for the speed junkies who swear by revving engines and tyres on chicane, this most technologically superior sport, Formula one season is still full throttle this year.

Classical Music explained unclassicaly

2006-05-26T15:20:00.000+01:00

What do you do when you co-passenger on a ten hour flight journey is an opera singer herself and wants to know everything possible about Indian Classical music from you?
Simple.... just answer her.

Never had I thought, I will be a cultural ambassador for Indian classical music and will be reeling off stuff about it to a swedish opera singer from Stockholm. She, being a western classical expert and professional, I was sure I wouldn't have gotten away by blabbering about facts I barely knew. Some hindustani classical tabla recitals and listening to M.S.Subbulakshmi & the likes are my only qualifications in Indian Classical.

Here I am being interviewed..heh. Decide for yourself if I tried hard enough to draw parallels between the saptaswaras and Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti.

Q: Indians thought about having their own music from after independence, 1947. Did your music emerge then?
A: :) No ma'm. I am sorry to say, Indian classical music ain't this new. The classical music emerged hundreds of years ago. The ancient scriptures called Vedas and Upanishads mention the same and are one of the oldest forms of music you will find in the world.

Q: What are the forms? Is it regionalised or something?
A: To divide it broadly, Indian Classical Music is in 2 forms - Hindustaani Classical(popular in the north) and Carnatic Music (South Indian Classical). There are different art/dance forms though which are regionalised but these are the 2 broad categories of Indian Classical Music.

Q: Where exactly was it born? Any particular Guru etc. ?
A: I wouldn't be able to tell you that. I reckon it was created by rishi-munis aka Gurus of yore. Carnatic music has few gurus by the name Tyagaraja(she took 15 mins to learn to pronounce it), Thiruvalluvar(she didn't even bother pronouncing it) etc. etc.I am not particularly sure about the Hindustaani classical. Hindustani Classical prospered during Mughal rule in India due to the likes of Tansen(pronunced instantly) and Baiju Bawra.
She: I know two people and have heard them - Pundit Ravishankar and Nusrat Fateh Ali khan.
Me: Pundit Ravishankar is an exponent of hindustani classical and Late Fateh Ali Khan is from Pakistan and a great singer himself.

Q: How does it happen in India? Are there schools to teach music or it just runs in families?
A: The family traddition of musician's son/daughter being a musician him/herself is true in eighty percent cases. But anybody who wants to learn can learn from a Guru. There are schools which teach classical music and provides degrees in classical music. Though, not many from the current generation have a liking towards classsical, it still thrives and thrives well.
She: Well thats good.
Me: Sure is.

After a few more questions, she finally took a breather. For all the grilling she did, she did reward me and a flight crew member by singing a 2 minute opera which, I must say, was worth an encore.

Blog hibernation

2006-05-26T14:14:00.000+01:00

Hibernated for quite some days.....reason, went on a vacation to swades, the best of des-es, if you may. Will be updating soon.

Take care,
Dinesh

Yogasanaas!!

2006-05-05T18:28:00.001+01:00

Who said Yogasanas are bound by nationality ? :D

Yoga in India

Yoga in Ireland

Cheers!!

Racism re-experienced

2006-04-14T19:46:00.000+01:00

This is the first time I may be using four-letter words and the like in my writing, because if what I'm about to describe is not an incident that can trigger anger in me, I don't know what will.
On Vishu day, the first day of the Tamil new year, after a placid day, I went to play football with some friends. A bunch of 15-16 year old girls with cheap vodka bottle in hand seemed to appear out of nowhere and raided the pitch. We, at the other end of the field, thought they were chatting with a lady colleague and a colleague's wife.
They used the 'B' word and ladies with us shrivelled. While leaving, the girls spat on a male colleague. Waiting patiently was not his forte, but he did. Then when it was too much to handle, he said 'Bitch'. This was enough to flare up the obese bitch (yeah she was) in the girl's group.
"Fuckin' Asians. This is my country, I can do what I like. I have a knife in my pocket. Our boyfriends are here to take care of you...blah this and blah that" and so on went her incessant blabbering. The other ones were less vocal but more active in kicking our football. Then their fun went too far when they kicked the football onto the highway nearby.
Blinded by anger at getting spat on my shoes by then, I was running behind them and didn't realise that I was on a high-speed highway and could have been killed by a speeding car. I am sure all the five of us on the field have never controlled our fists to this extent before. The girls were mere 15-16 years and we could have had them for breakfast without letting out a burp, but retaliation would have landed us in jail for hitting minors. Their vocabulary never went beyond four-letter words and they wanted us to talk like them. Not in a million years could we go down to that level. In this north-eastern part of the country, the standard of their English was as pathetic (even in its birth place) as it could be.
Something like this happened on a lesser scale sometime back and I chose to ignore it, not once but twice. While walking on the roadside, some guys in a car sped past in the opposite direction mouthing obscenities about Asians and almost spitting on me. This was during the July blasts and I forgave them, considering it just another case of misjudging by colour. Another one was a bus driver wantonly driving through a puddle of water to drench us Asians on the sidewalk. We crossed the road in front of him and so I am sure his move was planned.
This naked reality and stark contrast between the excellent Brits I know and these racist shitholes I've encountered amazes me. Of all the good things I have said about professional Brits, this incident eclipses quite a lot of it. By experiencing these unwanted incidents of innate racism, I have no respect whatsoever for this so-called developed country. A developed country is made of its people and if people are shitholes, so is the country. This incident has just made my intention of never settling abroad stronger and more concrete.

I am sure incidents such as these have been experienced by many and I live in hope that some day the tables will turn. In fact, I can already see them turning. India is growing stronger and so are Indians. There will be a time when Indians will look down upon people here because they will be far behind us.

Update:Links to this post - Desipundit Permalink, Desicritics Permalink

Irrelevant Opinions!

2006-04-10T11:13:00.000+01:00

There are plenty of good comments and bad comments. There are polite criticisms and there are direct attacks. Everything agreed, but stupid and non sense comments?? No sir. Not on public news sites anyways. I am sick and tired of jobless commentators with zilch common sense and nil grey cells flocking to the news websites and eating away server space with their brainless comments. I am assuming, and I may be wrong, that the users of internet in India are the educated ones. By educated, I mean, not just using the internet but using their brains before posting, thinking if what they are doing is relevant or not. But it seems this is not the case. Of the numerous examples I have seen, this is the one of the more recent ones.
IBN Live ran the news ‘PM's worry: Cash flowing, but results not showing’. The gist says PM is introspecting his government and seeing if the money spent has produced results and if not, why not and where has the dough disappeared. This, read by a man with an ounce of common sense will mean to him /her that PM is doing something with good intentions. Being vocal about how much money was put into project X and if that has been implemented or not is good PMship and transparent governance. Some of the impertinent comments –
Vikram: if the p.m is worried think about the common man, he is miserable. This clearly tells us that the congress party cannot make this country a better place. So the government should resign if they are born for one father.
My take: PM introspecting and trying to find if implementation matches promises or not means he is miserable? But of course, you stupid ass. You are a BJP supporter, agreed. But put a relevant comment buddy!
Citizen Journalist - “Only a fool will NOT know where all that money has gone!
It is sickening to know that Prime Minister should express his helplessness with this state of affairs. He should sack those ministers who are unable to account for the money that has been spent, and the lack of progress.”
My Take: Citizen Journalist?? A misnomer for sure. The first two sentences really freak me out. Its not the helplessness he is expressing but concern. Sack the ministers sure is an outcry of frustration which I do not deny but cut the PM some slack. He is one of the best we’ve had. And mind you, I vote for lesser of the evils, so I am neither a Congress guy nor BJP/NDA guy.
Fgdf: hey PM, ILL TELL YOU WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING......ITS GOING TO ITALY ..... YOU NEED TO ME MORE ACTIVE MANMOHAN JI
My Take: Sure dude! We need more people like you in CBI /RAW/Anti Corruption Squad. Easy to sit and blabber.

These are a but a few examples of all the nincompoops who think what they write, is what it should be. I agree on the fact that ‘Every one is someone else’s fool’ and I may be one too. But these people who comment at least need to think of the pertinence with the topic of discussion. This is sheer lack of common sense. Outright criticism based on no facts or figures can be equated to bullshitting. I implore if you are one of those who is bullshitting on news sites, please think of the comments’ germane before you key in.

Happy Birthday to me...........

2006-04-07T13:59:00.000+01:00

After 25 years of surviving on this sphere circling the sun, I humbly can call myself a ‘quarter century’ holder today. This silver jubilee has seen my growth from infancy to teenage and teenage to adolescence and adolescence to youth. The fourteen years in school started with all my ‘Boohoo…I don’t want to go..ma..please’ and went on till ‘Ma, I am not going today’. The sibling rivalry was the best entertainment at home. I thank my sis for this. Then six years in college and came in the ‘extra hours’ in college or ‘No classes today or are there? Either way, what about a movie?’ Moving away from Indore to Bangalore was another pain but now, Bangalore is as much home as Indore. A very happy beginning to career with my company picking me up from campus and the job continues to be excellent. One year in UK and lots of travels also come forth as I close my eyes to relive the past 25 years. I thank my parents and God for everything. After this short ‘academy /filmfare award’ kind of speech, the international anthem for birthdays ‘Happy Birthday to me….Happy Birthday to me..blah blah’.
;)

Paris Pics

2006-03-27T17:25:00.001+01:00

Ambanipur? AmbaniNagar? Ambaniabaad?

2006-03-22T19:02:00.000Z

Special Economic Zone on Arabian Sea

Mukesh Ambani plans a new off-shoot city on the lines of Shenzhen near Shanghai and Jebel Ali in Dubai. There will be a new city in the on the Arabian Sea, across Mumbai, the part of twin Special Economic Zones’ in Mumbai.
ET informs the city will be home to at least a million people, most of them working in hi-tech and service industries such as electronics, contract research, finance, and information technology. The populace will have the best of amenities and facilities on lines of any developed country’s major city. In short, a modern township on the sea is on cards. The project will span a massive 32K acres and currently christened Mumbai Integrated SEZ.
Government has cleared a 140 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and MahaMumbai is one among them. MahaMumbai SEZ is proposed to be joined to Mumbai by a six lane, 22 km long sea bridge. The MahaMumbai SEZ will invite applications from companies (mostly foreign) to set up their offices. The selection will be based on whether they are non-polluting and are mostly be export-oriented. The project has not got off the ground but has already received eight hundred applications.

Is the separate area actually necessary?

The approval of Rs.1 Trillion, the largest ever approval of growth plans, has shown that India Inc has come to terms with globalisation. SEZs are required but if they are made comprising in the existing area and improvement the infrastructure is done, it will be doing double good. But the idea of the separate island on Arabian Sea, though will look awesome and all that, will be like a separate place very different from India. Though there will be many foreign companies investing and all that, but will be like running away from the infrastructure problems being faced in not only tier 2 cities but in tier 1 cities like Bangalore as well. I don’t know how correct I will be to say, to invest in infrastructure in the existing area, rather then reclaiming non-existent land and develop it. The infrastructure development in the existing Economic zones will attract more companies to invest and improve Indian economy. This separate city though will be like a jewel in the industrial revolution crown etc., but shunning the shameful infrastructure and thinking of something non-existing land mass, I feel, is just whim of a billionaire. I am sure there are economists and strategists among us bloggers who can enlighten me further detail if this will have more plusses than what I can see as a layman.

More on SEZs and Ambani’s ambition– ET, TOI, Sify

‘Ring-Ring-click’ sounds the missed call

2006-03-17T12:22:00.000Z

We do not give a second thought while giving a missed call to announce our presence or to inform something decided upon in person or over a previous phone call. “Just give me a missed call when you reach the theatre, I’ll be there”, rings a bell (pardon the pun), doesn’t it?

Missed call communication is one of its kinds, an invention of the empty-pocket students or some brilliant dough-saving minds. Missed calls have the ability to convey varied messages to varied people with the same ring tone. Missed calls or, as some may call it the ring-ring-click communication, has been around for some time now and we Indians have mastered the art. As TOI / Sify put it, estimate is that around 20-25% of the share of calls on mobile phones are, missed calls. Missed calls do save the customers money, but the phone companies (fixed) do bear the brunt of paying the mobile service provider the interconnection cost and call termination cost etc. When the miss call happens within mobile networks both sides end up paying each other. The user is oblivious to all this.

The news sites call missed call communication as the lack of manners. I differ from them slightly. The missed calls cannot be considered as a lack of etiquette for the reason that, it happens mostly between pals. It is more of a personal, ‘I-know, you’ll- know, what-this-missed-call-means’ thing, rather than a meaningless and manner-less interruption. Though the falling call rates have reduced the number of missed calls, they are here to stay till the students are stuck with zero pocket money and the first of next month hasn’t arrived and every rupee saved is valued.

Rrrrring-Rrrring-Click!! Ah, a missed call, got to catch up with a friend. See you soon.

R.I.P Marshal

2006-03-13T11:38:00.000Z

Nothing is permanent: Life, least of all.
Twelve years earlier, I pleaded and begged my dad to get me Marshal, my very own German Shepherd. He obliged and on my birthday, I had this three month old puppy ready to woof at my command.
In time, he was the best pal I had. Teaching him tricks for treat was my thing for months on end. By the time he was one year old, he towered over the other dogs in the locality and was sort of the king of the neighbourhood dogs. His extremely expressive eyes, naughty nature of chasing any other street dog and trying to go near and bark at the cows on the roads, though afraid of their horns, can never be forgotten. Marshal’s tail was his pride, the bushy tail when kept straight, touched the ground: the check for an original German Shepherd breed. Pull his tail and he’ll turn around pouncing on you. This was one of my ways to poke fun at him and one of his ideas of playing with me. Throw him a tennis ball to fetch, he’ll fetch it but never give it back until you throw him another one to make him drop the first one. Give him something to guard and you can make sure, it will be taken care of. People, thinking of his terror, called before coming home asking us to keep Marshal in the kennel before they actually were came. Intelligence shone through his eyes. There was no one who met him, who failed to appreciate his intelligence.
The fun loving and efficient Marshal is no more. Twelve years of loyally guarding the house day and night and being another sibling to me and my sis, he has now retired from the world and left his earthly form.

Rest in Peace, my most beloved pet. Rest in Peace, Marshal.

Le voyage vers la France

2006-03-09T17:03:00.001Z

(Category: Travelogue. Watch this space for pics and Disneyland blog later, cause blogger is acting wicked atm)

Writing en route from Paris, cruising at 34K feet above sea level and looking at the intoxicating view on the western horizon, where one of the most beautiful sunsets was being painted in hues of orange, yellow, red and blue, I am happy this scribble on a magazine has made it to the blog. After being embraced by the most romantic city in the world for four days, I am already awaiting another chance of being in Paris.

Many ‘yeahs’ and ‘nays’ later, the trip was decided and the visa materialised on the passport and we were off for fabulous land called France. Charles De Gaulle Aeroport displayed the lean and mean Concorde proudly, the only mach speed passenger jet (decommisioned). Paris Hilton stood proudly outside the airport and could be seen from the runway (ahem..ahem…Hotel Hilton, Paris). Sit on the metro and feel the India like civic sense. Reach main Paris and you are overwhelmed by the beauty, the India-like traffic sense…wither way, feel at home. The historic city has lion’s share of artistic and architectural wonders.

During the day, climb up the Eiffel tower and gape at the extremely well-planned city sprawled under you, and you feel like Gulliver on his travels. The Trocadero on one side, Hotel Versailles, Opera de la Bastille, radio stations, Paris statue of liberty et al are studded like gems in the jewel called Paris.

A railway platform converted museum, Musee De Orsay, showed off paintings and sculptures from various artists from France. Louvre Museum pompously displayed Da Vinci’s Monalisa, Virgin of the rocks, Aphrodite’s statue and plenty more original and beautiful works of art. The intriguing smile on Monalisa’s face and her eyes which follow you wherever you go in the room, sure is a masterpiece and attracted much of the crowd. While wondering at the mysterious smile, you could almost hear Dan Brown say, ‘Didn’t I tell you, it was so....teehee’. Dan Brown’s masterpiece starts to unfold right when you enter louvre from the glass pyramid. (And the icing on the cake, a very attractive girl with the most beautiful smile like in the paintings, sitting on the ticket counter, allowed me in the museum for free. I thought she had fallen for me, but alas, it was free for all who were under 25 years of age, on all Friday evenings.)

Notre Dame, one of the most famous of churches, is one architectural masterpiece not to be missed. With all its statues of Jesus and followers and all the other pantheons of Christianity, Notre Dame stood overlooking River Seine.

As soon as you come out of the metro at Etolle, you see the mammoth monument ‘Arc De Triumph’ and you gape at it for sometime and then you devour the beauty of it. Built like the India Gate, it stands gallantly reminding the Parisians of Napoleon. A seemingly never-ending fleet of spiral stairs takes you to the top of it from where you can see the amazing spectacle called ‘Paris’. Twelve massive roads meet at the Arc De Triumph junction, which at night can truly display the glitter of the city. One of the roads being Champs Elyseés, the posh(est) road in Paris, inviting people to loosen their purse strings. The best part was the Renault Formula1 Bar on Champs Elyseés. The other exhilarating treat to watch is the illuminated Eiffel tower and the beacon of light rotating on top of it, lighting up parts of the sky, on all directions in quick succession.
If you are vegetarian in Paris and want to grab an inexpensive bite, you just have to be content with French fries. Not even McDs serve vegetarian. Night life in Paris is again tops the list in the Europe. Simply walk down the Champs Elysees or sip chardonnay sitting in the restaurants on the roadside, every moment will be enjoyable.

Though I am put off French fries for months to come, Paris is an experience which Paris alone can confer.

Bonjour fellas

2006-02-28T17:40:00.001Z

Am off to Paris for some more loafing around. Monalisa's waiting with a smile on the face though the Eiffel will surely grumble when my heavy bodied self tries to clamber on top of it. Though, I have made a small chit and crammed important french words but I have kept a pen and paper handy(to draw what I mean and explain, in case they dont understand !). The all fashion-encompassing city, though might provide the best names in fashion, I am sure to not look at them lest I empty my pockets. And the if they talk too much in french, I have well rehearsed the first lesson 'Je ne comprend pas'...I don't understand.

I promise some travelogues and pics in a week or so.

Au Revoir,

Din

Grand Prix to commence

2006-02-22T15:47:00.001Z

The formula one season is all set to start in a fortnight. I reckon we will be seeing the F1-God in the red Ferrari for the last time this season. Though Renault, the favourite, still seems to be leading the pack during practices, the aggressive Raikonnen on McLaren is not the one to bow down. The flickering flame, but flame all the same, Schumi is still F1-god for us worshippers of F1. Our desi bro, Narain, is no more in the race. I hope the next Indian takes the helm of one of the F1 cars soon and gets India on the asphalt again running for the chequered flag.

This year the rules have been modified yet again. The safety regulations are stricter and thus, the cars if not slower, will have speeds as last seasons. The V10 engines have been replaced by V8s. Though, the cars not able to procure V8s will be allowed to race with last year’s V10s (restricted V10s of course). On the same lines, its now allowed to change tyres during the race unlike last year. New teams, new drivers, merged & acquired teams etc, should give us another season of the exciting fastest sport on earth, played on fastest land machines. A new team Super Aguri, from Japan, are waiting to display their skills on the circuits. Toro Rosso (Minardi purchased by Red bull) and MF1 (Jordan renamed), might pull off a victory if nomenclature change helps them in any way. BMW has paired with Sauber and ditched Williams. And of course, the old professionals Renault, Feraari, McLaren, Honda, Toyota etc. are revving to challenge the opponents and trample the newcomers.

Lets wait and watch and pray for Schumacher to get the title again.

Valentines for bachelors!!!

2006-02-10T16:08:00.000Z

Just for fun...nothing serious!! When single guys look for rich girl valentines, their heart recites -

I ask, whats this Val day?

Some love stuff, they all say.
But I ask, if I may,

Shouldn't singles also have their say?

I shall let you know this day,

Some single pals and my dismay.

Do we have a God to pray,

To put some chicks on our tray.

Unlike donkeys, we don't bray,

like horses, we don't pull some dray.

Still gal luck isn't comin our way,

while we wait with no work or play.

There are conditions, let us say,

Before you find us, a hopeful ray,

The chick should not make us pay,

while we don't mind goin' the dutch way.

The lady so rich, with gold she'll pay,

own a huge bungalow by Whitley bay.

Spend dough on us, without saying nay,

not whine nor wince if we catch another prey.

If this sounds all fun and play,

Don't you mock us singles, I pray.

For there will be next valentines day.

When in our lap, shall fall a prey.

Dedicated to all the bachelors (including Vark and myself) out there without valentines!!

Jai Hind

2006-01-26T12:44:00.000Z

Vande Mataram,

A very Happy Republic Day to one and all!

A few links -

The President's address to the nation can be read here.
The President and the kids' rendezvous.

Jai Hind,
Dinesh

Whats with some of us, not to acknowledge?

2006-01-23T17:39:00.000Z

I remember reading a blog on the same lines few months back. I found it true then and now after around nine odd months here, I cannot agree more. Whenever I have meet or see an Indian in foreign land, I have tried a knowing smile with a 'Hey desi bro, you alright?' gesture . Circa eighty percent of the time, I am rewarded with either a blank stare or a glance which ends before I could say 'Jai Robindran' (desi Jack Robinson ;) while the brits and remaining twenty percent say a cheery 'Hi, you're alright?' and walk away with a pleasent smile. Complete strangers, in the land of strangers, even a smile and nod is highly appreciated.

Is this lack of basic courtsey something we are known to have, a trademark of sorts like nil civic sense?
Is the permanent residentship in another country, makes them feel 'non Indian', and is a reason for not smiling at an Indian?
Do they feel they are superior if they have been very long in phoren?
Do they just dismiss me as a lunatic beaming at everyone?

A desi working in my company's UK office, walks in, and dines on the same table in the suite just before Balckburn Rovers were up against NUFC. I tried different kinds of smiles - 'pleasent', 'conversation striking', 'ice breaking' etcetra.A friend from my project did the same. This only met his indifferent face which looked at the brits on the table. While the brits and me chatted avidly about the football match due to start and all the while criticisizing Brit food, this man talked to some other brits at the table who looked willing to join our conversation if he let them. Finally, my smile turned to smirks and we friends told wach other 'Bhaad mein jaaye' (loosely translated 'Let him be in garbage'). I do not demand a complete 'who, what, when, where, how' of the person, but a knowing desi smile warms hearts in foreign land.

Anyways, I shall smile at all desis I pass, even if they think of me as an ever-grinning nincompoop.

Northern Ireland: Concluding Part

2006-01-12T10:57:00.001Z

After covering and awing at few more landmarks of the city, we proceeded to our hostel. Some time later, we were on the duplex bed in out neat dormitory.Complaint while lying down: “Some mosquitoes are singing around me.” Reply: “For ten pounds a night, who else is gonna sing for you, Pink Floyd?”
I bet the laughter invoked from this would have woken the entire floor in the hostel.
Next morning was bright and sun beamed at us though some clouds were adamant on trying to hide it. The motto I read in Belfast sightseeing service “...touch the spirit, feel the welcome” sounded very true now. We walked past some landmarks visited before reaching the designated tour starting point. The international youth hostel was up and alive with Irish music and people waiting for the tour coach. At sharp nine, Frank, our driver, after some titbits of info on the tour started for what will be a fantastic trip.

The first thing was a tall elegant looking pillar which he said was Belfast’s answer to Eiffel tower in Paris but, I personally doubt if the answer stood a chance. To make it more interactive, he threw a question at us, “Who knows Jonathan Swift?” Three of us raised our hands as if he might throw a chocolate to who knows the answer. Then we saw a mountain which when viewed from an angle looked like a huge man lying down with his facial features very well etched out by nature. “There”, he said, “That’s where our Jonathan got his idea for Gulliver’s Travels”. Maybe, it was a folk lore but a believable one. His voice was proud when he told about the other famous writers and poets from Ireland.

A short drive took us to a village Larne from where two small islands on the Irish Sea were visible with lighthouses on them, called the Maidens. Crossing the handsome village of Glenarn, coach entered Carnlough, a village where the first train station of Ireland was set up. It was sent from a bridge on top of a road and this was still kept intact and taken good care by local authorities. Further, it still has a pub cum inn called ‘Londonderry Arms’ which was owned by the family of Winston Asshole Churchill. Thereafter, passing through some extremely scenic rows of beautifully built houses, caves which used to schools or bars we were feasting our eyes on the splendid landscapes with sea kissing the shores(and of course on the chinki sitting on the next seat). We passed a farm full of small stone sculptures of all sorts of weird animal like things. “These are Lapracorns, the little magic people of Ireland. They turn into stone when photographed by someone”, boomed Frank. “Locals collect and sell it”. I had heard but now was sure, Ireland has folk lore which is not only in abundance but comical too.
‘Vanishing lake’, a normal lake, it seems, acts abnormally, when water level decreases for no particular reason whatsoever. Next stop was Bally Castle village which prides itself on being the place from where Marconi transmitted a radio signal to another island in Scotland (It was not the first cause IEEE has proved the pioneer of wireless was J.C. Bose not Marconi). Anyways, a plaque commemorates Marconi here. We also saw Rathlin island where Robert the Bruce came to hide and saw the spider on the wall, got inspired and went back to Scotland to kick some brit ass. The famous and infamous churches of Ballintoy took some time of ours.

The best part of the trip were Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge(pic 1 just above this), Dunluce castle (pic 2 just above)and of course Giant’s Causeway(pic 3 just above). Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge was taken down due to the windy weather at this part of the year. This was built by fishermen to catch go to the island right next to the mainland. A 90 feet drop, this bridge has been there for many years now. Dunluce castle provided an excellent view and am sure can be an excellent location for Bollywood songs ;). Giant’s Causeway is supposed to be the best destination in Northern Ireland. This natural rock formation can be termed loosely ‘breath-taking’. Waves lashed the shore like it had to move Ireland to some other location. The stone were laid as if a skilful mason had cut the rocks hexagonally and placed it like columns for building an artistic edifice and had left it incomplete. The loony, comical folk lore associated with Giant’s Causeway, about giant called Finn Macool made us laugh our lungs out. After a goodbye to Giant’s Causeway, the next stop was Bushmills Distillary which to our dismay was closed for visitors that day. It is the oldest licensed whisky distillery, obtaining the license in 1680.

Back in Belfast, we checked out the Harland and Wolff, where Titanic was built and set sail from. This was a good experience though the sun had switched its mains off for this part of the globe. The Titanic quarter boasted of all the things managed to be scraped and has been kept like a museum of sorts..an ode to Titanic. Then the hackney cab sped on M2 towards Belfast international airport where as usual, easyjet delayed the flight by two hours.

The memorable trip thus concluded as the world was bidding goodbye to 2005 and embracing 2006.

Northern Ireland: Part I

2006-01-03T18:55:00.001Z

From the very time I watched the movie Braveheart(shot in Ireland), visiting Ireland was in one of my life’s ‘to do’ lists of sorts. I thought to end last year by a visit to Northern Ireland and put a tick in the mental checklist. After a plan was chalked out, flights and backpackers hostel booked, we were ready to take off to Belfast, the historic and riots marred capital of Northern Ireland. On the 30th Dec ‘05 afternoon, we were waiting in the lounge to hear that our Easyjet flight would take off on time giving us enough daylight in Belfast for the city tour. But alas, getting Easyjet to fly on time is not easy and they convinced me that the name is sure a misnomer. A four half hour delay is but normal. The only good thing was a £3 refreshment voucher which got me a burger from burger king. The pilot was trying to be funny and tried to keep us in the flight engaged with his anecdotes. The guys getting delayed on their vacation rarely laugh. I pardoned the delay owing it to Xmas season and will give easyjet one more chance to prove itself. Soon (after 4 hours delay), we were in air with Newcastle lights looked like shining gold coins below us.

It was a quick flight to Belfast with the cheerful pilot jumping out of the cockpit as soon as the flight stopped and waving us good bye at the gate with apologies for the delay. An airport taxi took us through the winding M2 motorway to the ‘Paddy’s palace hostel’, the backpackers inexpensive accommodation. The guy at the reception was as drunk as drunk can be and upgraded us to an 8 bedded-dorm from a 12 bedded-dorm free of cost and grin on our face took some time to fade. We were happier to know that there was no one in the 8 bedded-dorm but for us. A quick dinner later, we were off to see Belfast city on foot. And I bet the best way to see this small city is walking or cycling.

The weather was very helpful. We had a good long walk and tried to capture the Irish landmarks avidly enjoying every place we set foot on. The city council was palatial and the gardens strangely green in winter. The trees around offered no resistance to our view as they had lost their clothing of leaves and stood braving the winter stark naked. The magnificent Edwardian “wedding cake” kind of building houses the city council and built to give city status to Belfast granted by Queen Victoria. The oldest known pub, built in early 19th century, with mahogany ceiling and pillars still intact attracts tourists in Belfast. This pub named, Crown Liquor Saloon, was filled to the brim with people glugging beers in litres. It boasts of its opulent marble, skilful Italian tilework, booths with griffins and lions guarding them. Attached to the pub was another pub, which is famous for the regular Irish music played there. Right across the road Europa hotel beamed down on us like a giant bedecked in jewels made of light bulbs. A small walk brought us to the Grand Opera House, with a history of being bombed twice and in a state of dereliction, it now stands restored, playing ‘Snow White and seven dwarfs’. Time constraint forbade me to witness an opera at the splendid two domed edifice.

contd....

A lonely night

2005-12-29T13:55:00.001Z

The cold winter night was at its bitter best. But thankfully the cold blanket was calm and not being blown about by wind making the cold prick. The white snow blanket on the ground made the city seem like an oasis on white sand desert. He walked in no hurry, devouring every ounce of the winter night’s beauty. Though his mackintosh was pulled tightly over him, he felt the chillness in the air on his face. His nose had the reddish tinge. He walked slowly along the banks of Tyne, admiring the twinkling lights and the monuments built along it. The bridges stood proud illuminated with twinkling colourful lights, inviting the passers by to stop and admire. He admired and walked about, to nowhere in particular.

The serenity was only broken by the occasional pub he passed which had the gentry drinking and making merry. “Holiday season is the best”, he thought, “so vibrant and abuzz with activity yet comes with peace of mind”. The bend on the road along the river brought him to the city church. ‘Make poverty history’ claimed a big banner on the church. “Huh, Impossible”, thought he pessimistically and walked on. Right there at the corner, the tramp with a saxophone and a dog sat and was trying hard to reproduce what sounded like a Kenny G. He didn’t care tupence about the beggar who was sure to drink with his money. He walked on, caring for nothing else but not slipping on hardened snow patches. The fun part was to leave your footprint on the soft snow which hadn’t been trodden upon. The continuous snowing soon made your footprint disappear giving a chance to another pedestrian trying to have fun.

The ‘Pitcher and Piano’ was the place he thought befitting to mull over things. The slow music, the view of the Tyne and the bridges wearing white garb was the perfect way to spend an evening alone. All he could see inside the pub was some couples in cosy corners, a few old timers sitting and talking over pitcher of Guinness. He ordered a Stella and was soon lost in thoughts with strains of music reaching his ears. “A lonely night but, beautiful”, thought he.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

2005-12-23T09:09:00.000Z

Though I am not the person who celebrates Christmas, I have listened to various carols and Christmas songs from school days. ‘Jingle Bells’ was, and I suppose still is the most common and mass favourite song. There are many other which I like viz ”Rudolph, the red nosed reindeer”, “Santa’s coming to town” etc. But the one which tops my favourites list is the one following. It is BEST to hear when sung by Bing Crosby. I finally managed to get a CD with Bing Crosby singing this and have been listening to it over and over again. Here are the lyrics when you wish to sing along with Crosby –

Oh, the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful;
And since we've no place to go,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Man, it doesn't show signs of stoppin',
And I brought me some corn for poppin';

The lights are turned way down low,
Let it snow, let it snow.

When we finally kiss good night,
How I'll hate goin' out in the storm;
But if you really hold me tight,
All the way home I'll be warm.

And, the fire is slowly dyin',
And, my dear, we're still goodbye-in';
But as long as you love me so,
Let it snow, let it snow and snow.

---- Instrumental Interlude ----

When we finally kiss good night,
How I'll hate goin' out in the storm;
But if you really grab me tight,
All the way home I'll be warm.

Oh, the fire is slowly dyin',
And, my dear, we're still goodbye-in';
But as long as you love me so,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Have a Merry Xmas and a very happy new year all of you!! Cheers and make merry!

Greenwich

2005-12-13T17:51:00.001Z

The trip to London was as good as the previous six jaunts. When the alarm sounded and told me rise & shine on a Sunday, I was only happy to get up. I was in London and all set to feast my eyes on this metropolis where modernity mingles effortlessly with history.

The only tourist place I hadn’t visited before beckoned me and I did give in, Greenwich. From London Victoria station, the tube took me to the remarkably well built and stunning Canary Wharf station. Canary Wharf is where the skyscrapers are built in London, a contrast to the testimonials of the old architecture elsewhere in London. The sky kissing glass edifices of Citigroup, Barclays, HSBC etc. stood like stalwarts right outside the station gleaming at the passers by. A huge LCD screen was constantly getting updated with the latest world news right in front of the Reuters. The coffee bar next to it was bustling with activity. I was to catch a DLR train (Dockland Light Railway) to Cutty Sark station. Cutty Sark station gets its name from the one of the last sailing clippers which is permanently docked at Greenwich.

Winter time is when sun bids goodbye to Europe at around half three in the afternoon. The most valuable thing in winter is daylight and I had to make the most of what was available. After a considerable time at Cutty Sark, I made my way to National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory. Museum boasts of exhibits of importance from the British naval history, in short, it encompasses Naval History in an enclosure. Behind he museum is the road flanked by trees whose leaves had been stolen by autumn. The twilight made the scenic surroundings etch a permanent picture in my memory. The orange glow among the trees only enhanced the beauty.

The thoroughfare led to the Royal Observatory which stands on a hillock. Though the building wasn’t all that impressive, but it still is considered the holy place when modern astronomy is the religion. The Prime Meridian passes through the observatory. It is marked by a brass strip in the courtyard where the cameras were clicking with everyone trying to sit on either side of it. The new addition, a bright Green Laser, shines across the London sky, for us to view the imaginary prime meridian. Standing on zero degrees Longitude…half of me on the eastern hemisphere, half on the western hemisphere, the London skyline was nothing less than captivating.

A few quiet moments and some photographs later, I was ready to call it a day, and a good day at that. Hopefully, the lazy me will sleep allowing me to write about the other places in London and the neighbourhood visited.

London Sightseeing again..

2005-12-09T12:18:00.000Z

Me off to an xmas party at 'The Trocadero' in London and will be roaming around London again. I never seem to get the enough of this exquisite and fantabulous city. There will be a travelogue soon. Read the travelogue when I visited London for the very first time, here.

Cheers.

Blog Sins

2005-12-01T16:12:00.000Z

A usual question thrown at me if I ever ask for a topic to blog to non-blogger friends: “Why blog when there is nothing to blog on?”
Ah, BlogGod, forgive these ignorant non-bloggers, they know not what they not doing!

Blogger’s block oft rears its ugly head in bloggers’ brains.But the thought of sinning may remove blogger-block in no time. Ergo, here goes.
The preacher Dinesh iterates the sins of the blogging world. The number of sins committed decides on whether your blog rots in blog-hell or enjoys sunny weather in blog-heaven’s beach resort.

Numero uno, there is no reason to own a blog and not blog. It’s a cardinal sin to have a blog which isn’t constantly updated. Sin #1 is not updating your blog at regular intervals.
Secondly, copying blogs from other blogs is one of the biggest sins you can commit. This can be equated to murder. Nobody forces you to blog. So, if you’ve got itchy hands to copy, better wash your hands with soap, rather than bootlegging someone’s blog and calling it yours.
Agreed that your blog is what you want it to be, but there is no reason that you just crap in your blog with posts having neither head nor tail.
There are always topics for you to blog on. Complaints of not finding topics to blog on, is not reason good enough in BlogChitragupta’s / St.BlogPeter’s blogs to reduce your sin count.
Another felony you should refrain from is using it to demean others or other’s blogs. Yes, you can post your views but in a decent manner, downright dirty is not the way. A corner seat in Bloghell will be reserved instantly if this is committed.
Comment spamming other blogs will lead to nice spanking by the blog-demon in blog-hell.
Last but not the least, cauldron full of hot oil awaits you if you disrespect ‘desi-bloggers’.

There might be many more to list and missing out on blog sins is again a small sin. Thus, I need bloggers’ help to make a comprehensive guide of blog-sins. An acclaimed blog-jury will decide on what to add and as a special prize, a place in blog heaven can be reserved :).

Cheers

Touch Down India...Home..yay

2005-11-17T07:27:00.000Z

'Home sweet home' and 'Home is where the heart is'. Absolutely true; to the letter.

When I heard I can go home for 15 days whenever I want, my joy, as they say, knew no bounds. In this case, knew no international boundaries. A sudden barge of phone calls from my phone went out and I am sure I kept the phone lines busy for quite some time to myself. My flight tickets were booked....Ncl-London-Mumbai-Indore. Perfect. And flying in Virgin Atlantic would a new experience. But the thought of spending one night doing nothing in Heathrow airport on the way back, I decided to switch to combo of BA and Desi Jet Airways. Jet international was awesome, terriffic and brillinat. Very much comparable and better than few international flights of non-indian origin. Only song playing in my mind en route - 'Yeh jo des hai tera, swades hai tera...tujhe hai pukaaraa......' :)

A function(sathabhishekam) at home, marking grandpa's 80th birthday was to be celebrated and I was right on time. A surprise for parents. A scene cut out from K3G, SRK jumps down from private copter and rushes home just in time for aarti(final pooja ritual for the day). Just replace, SRK with me, private chopper with public plane and huge palatial bungalow to a humble abode. So, right in time for everything. So, I don't think I will be blogging for another week or two. Busy vacationing at home...you see.

Cheers.

1983 - The year when history was made

2005-11-10T09:52:00.000Z

I could not resist the temptation but to blog these pics I was able to lay my hands on. I was two years old when history was written in Indian cricketing world. A new religion was made in the land where already religions are aplenty. The match was won by then-underdogs overthrowing the then-mighty Windies was like attaining Niravana for the nation brimming with cricket lovers. Without further ado, let me put these pics, a magnificent memorabilia of the 1983 world cup finals.

Though, a picture speaks a thousand words, here goes a small description of the pics above -

(Top to bottom, L to R)

#Mohinder Amarnath's patient innings of 26 helps India move steadily towards a total of 183.

#Final Moments! Kapil Dev snares West Indies tail-ender Andy Roberts lbw to leave India on the brink of victory.

#A huge crowd charge into the ground to celebrate the victory and the Indian team race out. History was made!

#Delighted supporters throng on to the Lord's pitch to join in with the Indian celebrations.

# Kapil Dev Praaji shows off the cup to delighted supporters

#Man of the match Amarnath and India's captain Kapil Dev share a joke during the presentation ceremony.

#India's team and management revel in their unexpected triumph over the West Indies.

# THE GLORIOUS TEAM:
1.Kapil Dev 2.Sunil Gavaskar 3.Mohinder Amarnath 4.Sandeep Patil 5.Yashpal Sharma 6.Roger Binny 7.Madan Lal 8.Syed Kirmani 9.Balwinder Sandhu 10.K Srikkanth 11.Kirti Azad12.Ravi Shastri 13.Dilip Vengsarkar 14.Sunil Valson Team manager: P R Man Singh

Hope the history repeats itself in 2007. Looking at the cuurent form, as BBC says "Ruthless Indians are trouncing Srilankans", and if the form continues, we sure will have another World Cup on BBCI medal shelves and love for cricket will touch new heights. Hoping for 2007 World Cup....

Cheers.

Bhooooot

2005-11-03T13:55:00.000Z

My flatmate is out and will be out this week. I am all alone in the apartment. And to top it all, it is Halloween Week. Never really mattered before, but there’s something different this time. Maybe I’ve been in India all Halloweens where we barely knew when this ghost-fest of the west came and went. This time I can see Halloween masks and costumes and blah-blahs being sold everywhere here in the UK. I also managed to bump into a grumpy kid at Tesco on Friday who looked like he just finished his debut movie with the Ramsay bros. Don’t ask me the reason for his grumpiness, but I guess the Ramsays’ might have got his character killed before he got to suck enough ketchup (a.k.a blood in the movies).

Not that I am afraid of ghosts or believe in these what I presume are ‘awkward manifestations of human’s over-imaginative mind’, but the incident to be described sure ran a chill down my spine. On the uneventful Friday night (luckily, date wasn’t 13th), I sat munching crisps, watching TV like the usual couch potato fatsos (yeah ok ok.. I am one too!). The incessant channel navigation didn’t help much because all they could show on the 18 freeview channels were Rosemary’s child, Dracula, The Loch Ness monster, The 100 scariest scenes of all times and similar freaky stuff… nothing mild nothing comic, no good movie. In short, nothing worth whiling away time. The sleep monster in my yawn and droopy eyes took control and led my legs to the bed where I slept instantly, I guess.

When the arrival of next afternoon broke my sleep, I could hear noises from the living room. I swear, there was no one in the house. I went to check out and behold, the TV was on and so was the light. I like to think of myself as energy conserver and I was sure, I had switched off the TV and lights before I went to bed. I looked everywhere in the house including the vacuum cleaner and geyser closet, but nobody was there. For half an hour, I was shocked on how this had happened. Like everybody, I attributed it to my sleepy state, and went about the task of whiling away that day. Went to a friend’s at night and got back home after a movie. Doubly double checked that TV and lights were switched off before I went to bed.

Next morning at 11, I still heard noises from the hall. Whoa…there really was a ghost in my house. Clutching the little Hanuman statuette, I went to the living room and found the telly ON. Brr….chatterrrr (those were my teeth)…and my vocabulary fails to explain the electricity sort of thing that ran down my spine.

I bet there is a ghost in my apartment which loves to watch TV and does not pay for the electricity. I have informed the Ghostbusters Inc to take out that bugger before he starts eating my food and wearing my clothes too. Till then, I am staying clear of my apartment.

[P.S.: People in UK, please set your clock timing back by one hour for daylight savings. Do set it on your TVs as well but make sure you don’t mistakenly set the ON TIMER, atleast not for early morning. ]

Patjhad ke Pattey

2005-10-24T12:14:00.000+01:00

Patjhad ke in sundar patton ki vyatha ko chand panktiyon mein simatney ki koshish -

Patjhad ka mausam aaya.
Os ki boondon mein bhigey paate,
Kuch patte lal, kuch peeley pattey.
Lal jaisey zameen choone ko hon tadaptey,
Peeley ped se girney ke darr mein jhooltey.
Patjhad ke ye lal-peeley pattey.

Patjhad ka mausam aaya.
Din ki dheemi thand mein thiturtey,
Tehniyon se zameen ko ghoortey.
Chalti pawan ki madad se,
vriksh se bandhan todtey pattey.
Patjhad ke ye lal-peeley pattey.

Patjhad ka mausam aaya.
Chinar ke punch trikoni pattey,
Har aakaar, har prakaar ke pattey.
Pichley saavan ke murjhaate pattey.
Aglee bahaar na dekh sakengey,
Iss Patjhad ke laal-peeley pattey.

Joblessness is the mother of acidity

2005-10-18T14:13:00.000+01:00

An alarm goes off at morning seven thirty. God kill him who created an alarm clock, and God bless him who put the snooze feature in that, it lets me sleep the ‘heavenly five minutes more’. After quick morning ablutions routine, a glass of milk and on the go marmalade sandwich, I catch the waiting cab. Hmph…finally I make it to office at nine. The cute, wrinkly elderly receptionist has a fruit basket with fresh fruits without which my never-full tummy keeps asking for more breakfast.
Yawning, I reach my desk. Open my inbox .Any mails/ comments for the blog? Aah…there they are, read the mails and reply if not forwards. Reply to the blog comments. Now, its 1030 hours and I see, I still am not asked to do anything. I slyly watch my manager from corner of my eye. He is checking his gmails and hotmails and trying to evade the eyes of his juniors. But my eyes catch it. Now, I come out of my compunction of not having any work for the day. In short, its a jobless day.

1045 hrs - First colleague pings from the floor above.
Colleague 1: Chal yaar chai peetey hain. (Come dude, let’s have a tea)
Me: :-D Beshak (Sure)
After 15 minutes of tea break which includes a walk around the campus with a hot cuppa espresso, I am set for the next 45 minutes of joblessness. Now, open the news sites. Read about the happenings in India and the rest of the world. Browse BBC to check whether or not London is doing fine after the bombing and if beer is still flowing like Thames after Ashes win. Open browsers for regularly read blogs and desipundit.

11.30 hrs -
Colleague 2: Mate, wanna grab a cuppa?
Me: Okay, if u say so.
See, I am nice person. Never do I say Nay to anyone. ;-)
Another 10 minutes go in tea break, this time a hot chocolate.
1245 hrs -
Colleague 1 & 2: A coffee before the lunch?
Me: But of course…
1315 hrs –
Colleagues 1,2,3,4,5 – Lunch…?
Me: Anytime u say ppl !
After a lunch which again has an end with a coffee and a small stroll I am back in my seat. Three more coffee breaks, if not four, make their appearance between lunch and 1730 hrs. Then it strikes: Acidity. I cringe. Man, one more day of jobless day in office and my mammoth stomach can be reduced to ashes from inside by tsunami sized acid waves....so I think I shall stop coffee addiction.
A cry from the next workstation: Hey Din, Get up...wanna get a cuppa.
Me: Aah, okay..wait up..just finishing my blog..

Sarve Janaha Sukhino Bhavantu

2005-10-14T10:16:00.000+01:00

This mail is being forwarded by everyone to everyone in India.

"In the middle of 1965 India-Pakistan war, US govt - then a close friend of Pakistan - threatened India with stopping food-aid (remember "PL-480"?). For a food deficient India this threat was serious and humiliating. So much so that in the middle of war, Prime Minister (Late) Lal Bahadur Shastri went to Ram Leela Grounds in Delhi and appealed to each Indian to observe one-meal-fast every week to answer the American threat. As a school boy, I joined those millions who responded to Shastri ji's call. I continued the fast even when the war was over and India became self sufficient in food. Hurt deep by the national humiliation suffered at the hands of the US govt, I had vowed to stop my weekly fast only when India starts giving aid to USA. It took just 40 years. Last week THE day arrived. When Indian ambassador in Washington DC handed over a cheque of US$ 50 million to the US govt, two plane loads of food, medical aid and other relief materials were waiting to fly to the USA. Time to break the fast? With no bad feeling about the USA, and good wishes for the Katrina victims, this humble Indian feels proud of the distance India has covered in 40 years. Let's celebrate a New India!"

And why not, this is a big deal for a country which is only 58 years old. 58 years is but a threshold of adolescence when what we are talking about is a country. The largest democracy where implementing any idea immediately is a mammoth task considering the geographical size and mammoth diversity, this is an achievement for sure. Indian economy has reached all time high and the sensex has touched 8500. Though a slow start in a socialistic way, Indian economy started rising from 1991 and in barely any time it stands as the tenth richest nation in the world with 200+ countries.

2005 is the year of natural disasters, the year of mass deaths and mass cremations. With all my wishes and condolences for deceased and relatives, I am happy to say India is in a position to help itself and others in need. Let India continue its stride towards further progress.

A wish for all affected by Pak and India earthquake, Katrina, Rita, Tsunami et al:

Sarve janaha suhki na santu,
sarve santu niraamaya ha,
Sarve bhadraani pashyaantu,
ma kaschid dukha bhaak bhaved.

Jai Hind.

Bloggers score....IIPM sore

2005-10-12T15:15:00.000+01:00

This is but a fight for freedom of speech. It is appalling to know that Rashmi’s blog has been attacked and Gaurav had to quit his job because he expressed his opinions on the net about an organisation, rather just put a link to an article in a magazine. If it was simply for defaming IIPM, they had the right to send a legal notice. But when this was factual and with proofs coming in from various sources, this was not the right thing to do. My impression of con planman was wonderful when I had heard his speech in Indore Management Association few years ago. I was sure, that this guy is here to make it big. I never knew, he was going to make it big by toying with students’ future.

If only had IIPM let the sleeping lions (read ‘we the bloggers’) lie and passed the article as JAB(just another blog) posted in JAMmag or on any of the blog sites, they would have been happier. Now this JAB has become ‘The Blog’. IIPM has joined the war of the blogs by creating their own blogs which as of now are straight away trashed by real bloggers.

Hats off to our Blogger Community! A pat on the back for Rashmi and bravo Gaurav!

Surely, Pony tailed fellow, this is what happens if you count your chickens before they hatch.

Crossroads

2005-10-10T12:26:00.000+01:00

Yet again, the crossroads I meet,
where to turn and beat the heat?

A wrong turn will take its toll,
until lady luck gives me a call.
Right one shall propel me high,
shall ride on the stars and touch the sky.

Too many cops,each showing a different way,
whom to rely upon, none would say.
Battle of life has to go on,
to win is what I am born.

God, Almighty, aloud I pray,
let me trudge on the ideal way.
Help me opt for the perfect path,
or withdraw the crossroads along my path.

Mr S and demise of the frying pan

2005-10-05T15:06:00.000+01:00

Prologue
Mr. S, the software engineer, has come on an onsite assignment to the United Kingdom. An onsite assignment, every software engineer’s dream, turned into a reality for this ‘good at coding’ guy. He was sure that he could sustain here with his culinary skills. But with the untimely demise of his frying pan, he soon found out that Cooking, though approximately spelt like Coding, isn’t actually his bowl of curry (read cup of tea).

The story
S got a call about his house being broken into. The smoke alarm had brought the idiomatic roof down with its constant bellowing. He rushed from the office just in time to see the firemen leaving the place. He loitered around outside for the last of the firemen to leave, for saving his ears from a good piece of mind, that they would have given him. S slowly entered the building to see few neighbours watching from all directions. He saw the broken door. His dear door which stood gallantly protecting the house lay shattered at his feet. The firemen’s axe had completely axed it par recognition. With a gulp in the throat, he went inside.

He was aghast seeing the messy state the kitchen was in. What the hell happened in here? Why were the kitchen walls black with soot? Then the gore reality dawned on him. The Frying Pan was gone!!!

Of all the things, they had to take the frying pan! He was damn sure that he had kept the curry in the frying pan for heating it. The stove had promised him of a ready curry when he arrived from office. And he had promised the stove to be home for an early dinner. Both looked cross eyed at each other. Stove remained mute as usual and he did all the talking. He sat and mourned the loss of his frying pan, the one which had given him a taste of wonderful curries. His mourning was interrupted many a times by curious neighbours popping in and asking him about the happenings. To be courteous, he had to re-tell the story to even the neighbours he barely met before. They were as shocked at his loss and preached of some sort of silver lining to clouds stuff. He couldn’t make out the connection though.

The rigours started early next day. The insurance forms had to be filled, numerous calls to be made and infinite other chores to be done. S choked and eyes welled up when they told him, he’ll have to say a different reason to the insurance companies to part with their money. For the insurance money, he never could mention, that his frying pan got fried cause of his negligence. He realised how bad the world has been to frying pans. He is determined to get frying pans their rights and he is conspiring with frying pan dealers across the world to achieve this noble motive.

All this happened couple of months back. S still misses his favourite frying pan. This is but a bi-monthly ceremony article I publish here, for all to pray for the “Frying Pan” and pray God almighty to give S the strength to find solace in his new frying pan.

To this day, the burnt out frying pan, lies unattended in the ‘charred’ section in ‘Reading Fire Brigade Station’, a thirty minutes drive from London.

In the name of S, frying pan and the holy curry....Amen.

Gandhi

2005-10-01T16:51:00.000+01:00

Last year on this day, I asked a 9 year old kid last year, ‘Viv, What’s on Oct 2 every year?’.
Pat came the innocent reply, ‘Yipee, a school holiday’.

Has October 2 reduced to being merely a holiday?

I can sure dust off Vivek’s answer as being just a happy reply from an innocent kid. But the thought stuck and I have read a little about Mahatma from then, comparing the vast amount of information available on him.
I have always seen people criticising this man, the man who was one of the chief architects of India. From what I have been gauging from the major percentage of the critic populace is their ‘lack of information’. To form an opinion, one ought to keep enough facts, figures and statistics as their pedestal.
Some blame him for the partition. I pity them for their historic quotient deficiency. Mahatma was never in favour of partition. Mahatma fasted for more than ten days as a protest in Calcutta against the idea of partition. Mahatma added the lines ‘Eeshwar-Allah tero naam, sabko sanmati de bhagwan’ in an already existing hymn minus this lines. He believed in equality and this can be read in any acclaimed life history book on him. Some accuse him of being the shrewdest politician. He apparently never wanted to be involved in politics. He went to a village and lived in a hut but people flocked around and it came to be known as the ashram.
To err is human and so he would have too. He has also been pointed at for calling off ‘Non-cooperation Movement’, a severe bullet wound in Brit arm. I am not assuming anything as I could not get a hand on the reason for this. It would be wonderful if anyone of you could enlighten me of the cause for calling off the movement, other than of course the Chauri-Chaura incident.

In Gandhi’s own words, “I am used to misrepresentation all my life. It is the lot of every public worker. He has to have a tough hide. Life would be burdensome if every misrepresentation had to be answered and cleared. It is a rule of life with me never to explain misrepresentations except when the cause requires correction. This rule has saved much time and worry.”

A very respected Principal of my school always said, "Read about the great men history has left for you to learn from them. Keep the good and discard the rest, for they too, were humans".

Two many 1's - F1 vs A1 !!

2005-09-27T17:12:00.000+01:00

The latest form of an old sport has commenced. This novel idea is christened A1 Grand Prix. The A1 idea tries to take into consideration, the so-called cons of Formula 1 and market it as their plusses. Surely it makes sense to me. The motor sport has now become a country’s affair like any other major sport like cricket and I like that.

In F1, fans like me (Don’t mistake, I still will) used to side with conglomerates and our favourite car makers. One Indian in the field and our eyes were on him throughout, though keeping in mind you favourite team (surely that will not be Jordan). If just one Indian there, renewed our interest in the sport and got the people oblivious to it, watch the sport. Imagine the interest generated, if Team India was in the race. This is where A1 comes into picture. A1 gets the patriotic fever into play. Now, the fans can cheer for their country and blame the driver for his bad driving..;-).

The F1 cars need car-loads (pun intended) of dough to maintain and improve. No doubt, they are mechanical and technological marvel, fastest machines on land. This is something truly admirable but it is a race of mechanical and technical brilliance, combined with skill and aggressiveness of the driver. An understanding of basics of automobiles would increase the audiences’ interest manifold. But not many are interested in the nitty-gritty.
A1 cars on the other hand are equalised technologically and will not be as fast as F1 cars. They will need barely a tenth of the money spent on F1. This is the race of drivers, of the human skill and bravery as the official site puts it. I am sure, there will be more car-flips, crashes and it will be fun to watch. (Oh what a saddist..lol)

F1 is only for an advantage for huge conglomerates. Developing the cars or sponsoring them made, already popular companies like Ferrari, McLaren, Renault etc. a very active player in the world market. And if team XYZ are the winning team, that’s the sweetest part of the cake and XYZ is bound to get the lion’s share in the automobile market.
On the other hand, A1 is about a medium for national and international brands to endorse themselves on a global scale. This is great for brands like MRF, JK Tyres etc. to compete with Bridgestone, Michelin and Pirelli. Likewise the other sponsoring brands can vie for their place across the world.

While our F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan finished fifteenth in his Jordan in the Brazilian GP, Alonso won the first ever championship for Renault, making himself the youngest driver ever to win the GP on 25th September. Narain has reasons to lose – Not a great car and he is a rookie among experts.
Karun Chandok, our A1 driver flipped his car and ended coming 25th in 25 contestants race. He was fifteenth in the qualifiers (called Sprint Race in A1). Excellent start I must say ;-). I wish Chandok luck and hope he wins because he has no reasons to lose in A1 – all cars are the same and most of the drivers are rookies. So he better gear up!!

On the whole, I think the idea is good and we get to watch three high-speed, high-octane, adrenaline pumping grand prix (s / es….whatever the plural is) - F1, A1 and Superbikes.

See you soon. Vrooooom….

Update: My first blog to feature in Desipundit. Thanks Desipundit for the honour.

Summoned by Success

2005-09-22T17:29:00.000+01:00

The toil you put in day & night,

sheer dedication throughout your life,

When course is clean and obstacles few,

Then Success shall summon you.

Take your chance,

get the attitude right.

Take the plunge when the time is right,

when opportunity knocks, take the cue.

Then Success shall summon you.

The storm will stop and the wind will blow,

make your destiny and life will glow.

When you fail, start anew,

Then Success shall summon you.

The key is persistence, they always say,

have a foresight to save dismay.

Find the almighty within you,

Then Success shall summon you.

Cheers

Popeye's mom found

2005-09-20T17:30:00.000+01:00

They have just found Popeye's mom i.e Pappy's wife. The photo was specifically released by Paramount Pictures when their intelligence team found her in one of the tobacco hideouts in Marijuana district of the Cocaine district. When asked, "Why she was hiding all along?", pat came the reply,"I yam what I yam". No wonder, that's Popeye's favourite saying.

Pappy and Popeye's joy knew no bounds and they burst into the song -

I'm Popeye the Sailor Man
I'm Popeye the Sailor Man
I'm strong to the finich
Cause I eats me spinach
I'm Popeye the Sailor Man

I'm one tough gazookus
Which hates all palookas
Wot ain't on the up and square
I biffs 'em and buffs 'em
An' always outroughs 'em
An' none of 'em gets nowhere

If anyone dares to risk me fisk
It's "boff" and its "wham", un'erstand
So, keep good behavior
That's your one life saver
With Popeye the Sailor Man.

I'm Popeye the Sailor Man
I'm Popeye the Sailor Man
I'm strong to the finich
Cause I eats me spinach
I'm Popeye the Sailor Man

Cheers for Popeye

Bangalore Woes...ToI thinks of something

2005-09-16T09:35:00.000+01:00

There are numerous fellow bloggers talking about Bangalore’s dilapidated infrastructure on Indian Blogosphere for sometime now. There have been demonstrations by people, criticisms by who’s who, stickers on vehicles asking he CM to wake up et al. Nothing seems to have done any good.
In the article, there is no mention of conditions of roads, the overflowing buses for public transport but WOW, there is one line about traffic decongestion. I see, infrastructure is not top priority at the moment from this article.

Today’s ToI’s front page says they are “they are seeking short term executions to improve the Bangalore Infrastructure” and our ideas can be mailed to ‘peoplepowerbg AT indiatimes DOT com’. I am sure there will be hordes of mails from the bloggers. Hope this ‘short term execution’ ideas make a difference or at least throw a bucket of cold water on the authorities' face.

A Tribute to Hinduism

2005-09-13T12:30:00.000+01:00

Incredible research done on Ancient Hinduism. 'A Tribute to Hinduism' is one of the best sites on the net. Couldn't resist sharing it with all. Do read it.

Cheers

Un-Grand finish to Grand Prix Season

2005-09-12T12:49:00.000+01:00

Agreed, there are couple more races to finish the F1 season, but the outcome is already known. The spa circuit in Belgium gave all the answers yesterday. All Alonso needs is 6 points from either of the three forthcoming races.
Mike Schumacher – Being an avid Ferrari fan, I was disappointed this year. Yesterday’s match was nothing new. This time, as Schumi’s ill luck would have it, had to end the race for no fault of his. All he could do in his anger was to give a deserving smack on Sato’s head.
Takumo Sato – He is under investigation for his little misadventure which cost Schumacher his race.
Kimi Raikonnen – Hats off to him. An aggressive driver with a powerful machine showed no emotions on the track while beheading all the opponents. He won the race hands down and the 2 stop strategy worked really well.

Juan Pablo Montoya - Bad luck dude! A race winner for 32 laps but it wasn't his day.
Fernando Alonso – Kudos to the youngest ever Formula 1 champion! He has shown that grit and determination combined with a great car can work wonders. Michael Schumacher has been doing the same for last five years(Featured in F1 hall of fame). But the same man on podium and the same winner every time was making the sport lacklustre. Though a Ferrari guy, I welcome the change for the sport.
Narain Karthikeyan – Man, am I dejected. You bet. My joy knew no bounds when I first heard that one Indian, Narain, stepped into the high-speed world of F1. I was overjoyed to learn one Indian is at the helm of a Jordan car burning the rubber on F1 circuits. But alas! I guess this is the beginning and end of Narain’s career in F1. He did show potential in couple of the races initially and still shows his feisty form once in a while, but he has started drifting behind the pack. He may be the rookie who has completed maximum races, a record which he can claim as his own but that doesn’t hold good for his future.
I do not expect a podium finish but a decent finish and a position ahead rookie team-mate Montiero is all I ask for. The six car American GP, could have been so much better if Narain was on the podium instead of Montiero after the two Ferraris.
Next year, the Jordan team will be launching another driver, the current test driver as their main.Going by the championship points and aggressive driving, Montiero scores over Karthikeyan, which might raise Montiero to the driver’s seat in the one remaning car, God forbid.

Here’s hoping the best for Ferrari and Narain in the three forthcoming races and next season.

Cheers

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

2005-09-05T15:24:00.000+01:00

How could I let 5th September slip by without mentioning Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second president of India. The greatest of all teachers was born on this very day and thus we remember this day as ‘Teachers’ Day’. We usually forget these days which were made for a reason, for remembering our great heroes of the past. Day by day, the value of these "named days" (but for crap rose days, petal days etc.), thus the respect for our great leaders is diminishing. I wish the Indian blogosphere, which writes about everything under the sun, also writes about these great men once in a while and specifically on the day, which is named after the leaders of the yore. I bet there will be many who would have already thought of this. More about Dr. Radhakrishnan can be read here, and also hear his take on dharma. Just one line says what he preached about dharma – “Dharma is paropkara, adharma is parapeeda”.

Read what our now President, Dr. Abdul Kalam says on teacher's day here.

-Signing off with salutations to the great man

To swear or Not to swear....is the question?

2005-09-05T11:14:00.000+01:00

Imagine a world without languages, I bet, u cannot. Now imagine a spoken language without derogatory words, and then think of its implications!!!

On the outset, one might argue, what the hell (pardon the pun) if there are no derogatory words, so much the better. But I disagree. Where there are humans, there is bound to be differences of opinions. Where there is mighty and there is a weak, there is bound to be oppression of the latter. As they say, “Everyone is someone else’s weirdo”, there are bound to be differences everywhere.

Now that I can safely assume, you are with me, about differences, I shall delve deeper into my thoughts about a language without offensive words. The foremost implication, I reckon, will be “violence”. As I believe in leading by example, I shall lead you into the gory world ;-) which will prevail, once the 'words' are removed from the vocabulary, with an example.

Any Indian would hate ‘India’ losing a cricket match, be it to Bangladesh or Australia, not to mention Pakistan. And every other match India is humbled. If it wasn’t for those abusive words in English and Hindi and numerous other languages in India, the opposite cricket team and a few members of our cricket team would have been man-handled and mauled par-recognition. “Holy effing shit, where did the talent the cricketers show on TV disappear when they are on the pitch?”, says the city-bred, convent-educated lad in the stadium. "Saaley kisney liya inn logon ko team mein, ‘highest paid cricketers in the world’…aur dekho kaisey kheltey hain", says another one, the local lingo-speaking guy. "&$^* &@* ko *&%$, ye saalon ko lao mere saamney, balla pakadna sikhata hoon", says the illiterate, over-enthusiastic cricket fan (If I typed in the actual words used by them, you will flag my blog for containing derogatory language ;-)).

Take this scenario and cut out the abusive words. There will surely be violence. Mild anger causes one to mouth abuses. There is an instant satisfaction of giving back, if one hurls abuses. But when the aggression gets past this and these words don’t satisfy, then violence breaks out. Thus, if we look at it from this perception, these “words” make a barrier, between the two involved parties. Erase the “words” and there you are, any difference of opinions or whiff of anger, bloodshed will be the only answer.

When I ask the people, why they use these words, rather than ‘let go’ or ‘ignore’. Some say, “Why should I let go, I give back whatever I get”. Some others wisely use a proverb and denounce violence by saying “Violence is the weapon of the incompetent”, but that answer does not justify hurling curses. The wannabe-yankees say “I ain't gonna take no shit”, that may be their reason to swear but grrrr…when are they going to learn, two negatives don’t make a positive in English.

I am greatful to the foul-mouthed, but good friend who constantly reminds me about 'how he cannot survive without swearing' led me to write this. I cannot think of any more implications currently. Leaving it here for you to ponder….

Cheers

Hummer

2005-08-30T11:33:00.000+01:00

This beast on land, the meanest of land machines, always fascinated me whenever I saw it on screen or talked about it. Hummer is one of the most powerful 4 wheel drives ever to ply on the roads and on places where roads are a far cry. The power can be felt just by looking at the cruel machine. I was overjoyed on getting to see this mechanical monster (with commendable electronics within) in Newcastle Asian Mela. This was the best part of the mela apart from the soni-kudis from India and Pak.
The US army was looking for a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle and AM general gave them the Humvee which was proven to be superior to all the existing 4 wheeled vehicles and the best man for the army’s job. Later it was named Hummer M998. I reckon the civilian model was introduced circa ‘92.
There is a specific way in which torque is distributed to all the 4 wheels in usual 4 wheel drive vehicles, mostly equal torque on each wheel. But in hummer, as soon as it senses a decrease in torque to one wheeli.e when the tyre might be slipping, torque is transferred to the other wheel. And there is a massive difference in the usual 4 wheel drive and the brake traction control system in hummer. There is much more to Hummer than this and I am sure I won’t be able to do justice to the sophistication of this genius piece of machinery.
I’m publishing my only snap with the hummer H2. Don’t mind my hairstyle, the barbarian barber cut my hair out to the point of making me bald, while I was half asleep and to think of it I paid seven quid for this hair cut….gawd.

Magpies vs Hammers

2005-08-23T00:15:00.000+01:00

20th Aug 2005 -
The day I went to witness by first ever football match in a stadium. Getting up early on the saturday morning is usually tough but this day was different. After the rituals I had to perform this day (it being the next day of 'Avaniavattam'), chanting gayatri mantram for a staggering 1008 times... Man, wish I was this sincere everyday.
After a sandwich and coffee for breakfast, my usual saturday morning routine commenced...some hours of gaming on the xbox. Today, I thought of experiencing the football match before the actual match (does it makes sense...whatever). I started FIFA and chose the 2 teams, Newcastle United and West Ham. First match was me being NUFC and xbox being the West hammers and hammers hammered NUFC. There, next time, NUFC (me) made a pulp out of west ham. I thought one more play and by taking the best of the three, I can be sure of the outcome of the match. This time, I was West Ham, and as expected the magpies won and I was sure, NUFC would become 3 points closer to being champions in the champions league.

En route -
Left home for St. James Park stadium at noon. I was supposed to reach there at 1300 hrs. There was no problem finding the way to the destination as a major percentage of population of Newcastle city was walking in that direction proudly wearing the black and white striped t-shirt supporting NUFC to the hilt.

Brancepeth Suite, St. James Park -
Needless to say, the crowd was huge. At 1300 hrs, I went into Brancepeth suite (more like a 3 star hotel restaurant). This place was for sponsors, and thanks to the firm I work for, I had a sponsor's ticket. Only the elite were here, prim and propah ladies and gentlemen in thier tweed suits or dior shirts and trousers. Though, I felt a little out of place, I wasn't amazed that I managed pretty well ;-). Since, I hadn't spoken to any of my colleagues who were planning to come (none of them Indians), I could not find them and had to sit alone for the sumptuous luncheon to be.
A not-so-bad-looking brit stewardess came with a smile from ear to ear and asked for what drink I would like to have. After listening to list of numerous cocktails etc, I settled for a coke, and I am sure, the smile turned to smirk before she turned around to get my order. After a sip or 2 of coke, while reading the official NUFC football magazine provided, saw the main course had started. After a few minutes, I joined.
There were multitude of non vegetarian dishes, some looking delicious but concience said, "Venda Iyer-ae, venda....venda" and as usual, I never looked towards the non-vegetarian side again. All the brits know of vegetarian food is - mashed potatoes, jacket potatoes, crust potatoes, potatoes with cheese and so on. They also know about salads and boiled vegetables without salt and spice, sprouted beans and a thick, long rice where u can actually bite the rice grain into two.
So, with barely 3 dishes on my plate, while the others' plates were laden with animals in all shapes, sizes and colours.I regained my seat with my plate for lunch. Now, as they say, 'When in Rome, be a Roman', I had to eat like the gentlemen do, using the fork and knife, which wasn't a problem as always, till....till I had to eat boiled peas in the salad. How the hell are you supposed to eat boiled, tiny peas with a fork from a plate as flat as a football ground. Then, slowy and steadily, I mastered the art of eating peas with fork from a glazed football field. Half hearted and half-"tummied", I resigned myself back to the magazine with the glass of coke.
Wazzat sweet smell.....ah...desserts. Heart, stomach and brain raced my body towards the dessert table. Seven different kinds of mouth watering desserts awaited me. The sight of those aroused the glutton in me and I had all the seven to my stomach's and heart's content. If gluttony was a sin in Hinduism, I would have to be in the Ganges for a whole year to wash today's sin away.

Magpies(Newcastle United) vs Hammers(West Ham) -
The Milburn stand, where I was seated had an excellent view of the field. And my seat was very next to the centre of the field. There was a mammoth fan following cheering away to glory, all in black and white striped t-shirt supporting the magpies. A small but extremely lively swarm of Hammer supporters on the left were throwing plastic balls and balloons on the crowd and singing their, what I think was, west ham football song. The commentary before the battle commenced and during the half time break is worth a mention.
Amid deafening cheers, the players poured on to the field, and the maaaaaatch.............began.
Alan Shearer, the magpie captain and Teddy Sheringham, the West Ham captain were the favourite. People also were keen fans of NUFC player Lee Clarke and goal keeper, Shay Given. The match went on okay with underdogs West Ham putting up a good show against the home team. Almost half time and no goal scored....this angered me as this was my first ever football match in a stadium. The others were furious because NUFC were missing chances.
The burly man with a huge beard sitting next to me was bellowing at the magpie forwards for not converting the kicks from inside the D into goals. Mouth reeking of beer, he gave a pat on my back, and said in a heavily jordi-accented voice " Ay yooong man, who do you thfink takes thfree points today? ". Realising that he was a NUFC fan and also knowing that, a pat on the back is inches away from a kick in the butt, I said "Magpies". Personally I thought west ham did put on a good show, my 'staying alive' was my sole aim while answering him. He seemed happy with the answer and asked me to look out for his favourite Lee Clarke. The rest of the match was punctuated with his directions to the players on how to play –
"Cooom on man, u're in, u're in...hit the effing goal"....." Shall I send my grnadson to play for u a*****s"...."Argh...coom on, u twats, hit a goal, I dont wanna fret 'bout it whole Soonday" ,so on and so forth.
Much to everbody's dismay the match ended without a goal. I was saddened, that no goal was scored and I am not sure, when I shall watch another match of this sort. After a coffee and cookie in Brancepeth suite, I went back home with an Italian colleague. On the way, he talked about how good the Indian curries are, which I agreed fully and I also gave an okay status to Italian Pizzas.
Thus ended an eventful and memorable day.

Mr.Lazy Me and Mr.Me Myself

2005-08-17T19:17:00.000+01:00

After around 7-8 months of thinking, whether I will find time and whether I can overcome my laziness for keeping a blog updated, I decided to just do it. There will be a tough battle between the two guys in the story, Mr.Lazy Me and Mr. Me Myself. :-) Let me see, if my laziness wins over me or I crush it for good.
Anyways, after a lot of blockbusters in the world, here is my own version - Blogbuster.
This blogbuster in coming days should witness a lot of travels, travails, truths etc etc.

Blogger bug blogger bug, blogging all the way,
Oh what fun it is to start blogging right away....

Cheers.

The rising need for introspection

2005-08-17T08:50:00.000+01:00

13th August 2005 -

Saw the movie 'The Rising - Mangal Pandey', a man who rose against the mighty british empire in 1857, the flame which lit fire inside the Indians to wage the first war of independence, the hero who died for India. We need to show more of our national heroes to the children today. The historians should rise to the issue and do something about it. Hats off to film industry for attempting this.

Though this movie didn't match the hype cause of some extra unwanted songs and love scenes, it did strike a chord. The patriot in me was ashamed of me and my generation. Why don't we do something for our India...and as I know, 'We' includes 'I' and it has to begin with 'me'.

15th August 2005 -

I penned my feelings....

Here's hoping that these feelings which came on impulse(like it has done plenty of times before), doesnt wear off in due course, this time. I hope there is something which I keep doing for India, however small it might be, but it should lead to the betterment.

Introspection, being on the other side

Here I am, an Indian, in the very heart of Britannia,
working away to fill my personal coffers.
India, celebrates its 59th independence on this very day,
But people still looking west for better offers.

My heart aches, I am the like the rest,
following the trodden path.
Working for once foe while enjoying the best,
but India still gives me all the love it hath.

In pursuit of worldly pleasures,
I forget these are my best years.
Best years to do something for my place,
Best years to put a smile on India’s face.

Will I change, will I make a difference,
will I limit the self needs?
Will I stifle some of my dreams,
will I ever help the Indian realms?

Cheers.

P.S Added later - My thoughts of keeping our heroes alive in all Indian hearts has been very well written in this article in Telegraph.

London

2005-08-17T08:27:00.001+01:00

This is an attempt to push forward the previous blogs written but never published... ;-p

Day 30 April 2005 - London

After making elaborate plans on the previous day for visiting London, we started with zest on the clear Saturday morning. After shelling out considerable pounds for the network card and all day London train tickets, we were aboard the train to waterloo. The train went to Waterloo and we were lucky to catch forty winks en route.

After disembarking at Waterloo and armed with the tube map, we turned to the underground tube to help us reach London Bridge station. As luck would have it, I got into the tube and the door closed behind me, separating me from my colleagues traveling with me. A scene cut right out from Dil Chahta Hai, placing me in Aamir’s place and my colleagues collectively as Priety Zinta(though they weren’t as scared!!). Luckily, the London Bridge station was a stone’s throw away and my friends reached there by the next tube in ten minutes. After a brief joyous reunion, we walked towards the legendary monument “The London Bridge”.

After a short walk through the streets of London, the historic bridge appeared before our eyes, proudly standing, connecting the two banks of the famous Thames. Standing on the worldly renowned bridge in the world’s one of the most famous cities made me feel like a famous person myself. After admiring the majestic viaduct for considerable time, we saw the HMS Belfast, the warship permanently moored on Thames. HMS Belfast boasting of being the best warship of its times, awed us too. The newly built City Hall is one of the best buildings on the bank of Thames. (Seems they spent around a million to select the unique name -'City Hall'...lol)

Next, the Tower of London beckoned us to witness the centuries of histories inscribed in the walls by prisoners and the artifacts, including the weaponry, barrels of gunpowder, life size models of he royal steeds and knights in their complete regalia. The Jewel tower had the world’s biggest diamond Cullinan and India’s own Kohinoor diamond studded in the Victorian crown. The live video of coronation Queen Elizabeth II kept our eyes glues to the screen to see the sheer majesty of her majesty’s elaborate ritual and to see the wealth looted from the world in centuries bygone.

The Bloody Tower made us shudder at the kind of torture, the prisoners had to undergo. The guide in the tower of London had us reeling in laughter with the English sense of humor whilst he explained the gore history of the very place we were standing. After hearing about the treasons, tortures, convictions, murders and executions in the Tower of London, our hungry tummies took us to the roadside shop where we had to eat and be content with some tomato and cheese put between two pieces of bread, they call it lunch…huh.

Thereafter, we went on the refreshing and splendid cruise on River Thames on board ‘The millennium of Peace”. The crew was very kind to explain the buildings and places we could see on our cruise on the banks of the majestic river Thames. The buildings ranged from interesting hotels (including ‘The Grapes’, where Dickens completed Oliver Twist) to HSBC and Citibank headquarters, various docks, floating pubs, Mayflower pub et al. En route, we were awed by Greenwich which gives us the GMT. We turned from there towards Westminster. This route also held us spellbound as we looked on the wonders of this ancient center of trade.

The London Eye, the biggest ferry wheel in the world, the brainchild of British Airways left us gaping. The view of London from London eye capsule was remarkable. Big Ben, the parliament, with its clock tower and gold crowning stood proud and gallant right next to the Westminster Bridge. An old man playing on his bagpiper in the traditional Scottish frock enthralled us for sometime.

After having a small meal at McD’s, we were back on our way to 'Reading'. A lot of London remains to be seen. That’ll be another day….

Cheers.
____