tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155069152024-03-21T19:19:50.081+00:00Thoughts FluxKabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayal aata hain...Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-25339781142526046352011-04-01T23:28:00.005+01:002011-04-01T23:42:29.388+01:00Great Expectations<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">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.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">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, </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">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.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">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. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: center;">The day comes but rarely,</div><div style="text-align: center;">when the brain doesn't think clearly.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The heart skips many a beat,</div><div style="text-align: center;">for thats the cricket fever's heat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This one goes for the two greats,</div><div style="text-align: center;">who play their last world cup.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Off field, they may be mates,</div><div style="text-align: center;">on field, they can cause a stirrup.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_CFbHXUy-FuoVAxZnkr58Yy-3lPU8ycVvEET5A23A4KMznvDL-hNyKSzxvNZ94XEPCY3tuzgD5fP-foDAKCGT4bR-GpyeKRfL0HdLj7IY_rJ9MiXFyMYENFVQqcl2YiOXi8k/s320/805248322Sachin-Murali-b.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 247px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590748785263393746" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />A certain God of this game,</div><div style="text-align: center;">whose willow can make any ball look lame.</div><div style="text-align: center;">His innings are nothing short of wonder,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and can tear any bowling attack asunder.</div><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: center;">A magician called Murli for his team,</div><div style="text-align: center;">can cast a spell and take the cream.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A magical turn of his wrist,</div><div style="text-align: center;">can bring an end to any batsman's tryst.</div><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">That will be the moment I will refer to as <i>'where were you when India won the world cup'</i> moment of our generation.</p></div>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-49599905344213886592011-03-15T02:40:00.009+00:002011-03-15T05:38:09.939+00:00Of Ego Inflation and Popularity Quotients<div align="left">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.<br /><br />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 <em>bhang</em> 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.<br /></div><div align="left">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 <em>paneer tikka masala</em> at <em>bobby da dhaba</em>?<br /><br /></div><div align="left">Our movie stars go to all the cities to promote their movies. Claims like <em>'I love you all'</em>; <em>'your city’s crowd is the best in India</em>' and <em>'This city is my second home</em>' 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.<br /><br /></div><div align="left">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.<br /></div><div align="left"><br />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.<br />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!! :)</div>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-57725050432506503452011-03-07T22:58:00.010+00:002011-03-09T01:54:53.441+00:00Restart...or so I thinkThere, I go again. Out of the blue, one fine day, something tells me...Go, update your blog.<br />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!<br /><br /><br />Or do I?<br /><br /><br /><div align="left">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!<br /><br /></div><div align="center">I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO WRITE</div><p align="center">I am in Chicago now,<br />enjoying the intermittent snow.<br />I have no clue what I wanna write,<br />I am still trying to find an idea, bright!</p><p align="center">I once said, I'll always update the blog,<br />Its more than just my daily log.<br />I soon realised, its not a simple job,<br />like eating the corn and throwing the cob.<br /><br />Now, I am going to glug a beer,<br />maybe that brings in some cheer.<br />I'll string some words and make them rhyme.<br />and writing nonsense won't feel like a crime!</p><div align="center">I know no one's forcing me to write,</div><div align="center">but many will know a blogger's plight.<br />I will write with all my might,</div><div align="center">just don't tell me to get out of your sight!</div>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-46452550550878031802009-07-30T06:58:00.001+01:002009-07-30T07:09:28.243+01:00Schumacher Reloaded<div align="left"></div><p align="left">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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />Lets hope that atrophy has not set in and celebrate this return of the legend.<br /><br />Hail the German speed God!</p>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-32665445425330510132008-02-17T16:32:00.006+00:002008-09-16T21:18:01.294+01:00Movie Review: Jodha AkbarMovie befitting a <em>Shehaeshah</em>! 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.<br /><br />Like <em>Lagaan</em>, 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.<br />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.<br /><br />The taming of a wild elephant scene by Jalaluddin is fantastic and one of the many '<em>not to be missed scenes</em>' 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 - '<em>Hindustan ko mein galat haathon mein nahin jaane de sakta'</em>.<br /><br />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 <em>Khwaja Mere Khwaja</em>, 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(<em>or so it makes viewers feel</em>). <em>'Kehne ko jahsn-e-bahaara hai.</em>.' 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 <em>'Azeem-o-shaan shhenshah'</em>, 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).<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />If 5 stars is the scale you prefer, I would give it a 3/3.5 undoubtedly.Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-20201161674418606072007-11-09T11:21:00.000+00:002007-11-09T11:28:34.755+00:00Happy Diwali!Happy Diwali and a prosperous new year!<br /><br />While you enjoy the fireworks and sweets, do spare a thought for the child labour in Sivakasi. Dhanunjay captures their plight in his <a href="http://relentless-expedition.blogspot.com/2007/11/happy-diwali.html">Diwali blog here</a>.Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-37579271773649768342007-10-14T18:09:00.000+01:002007-10-15T10:11:09.890+01:00Whale of a time in WalesOne 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.<br /><br />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 '<em>Araf</em>' means 'slow down' and '<em>Arafwch</em>' means 'Slow down now' by the time we reached Swansea(<em>still unsure on how to pronounce that</em>).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLR6dhLX9dVOYRwOYXWPnOdaObbj_nzJd6sImf08VMoWvVl2mlkuBy0wnUoBWb2yg-uGn_jqKAlGA5XKIEymspvDa-zhYz_WyOq-XMqlE2k1og0xhq08Ym83O0b99BWdCFe5U/s1600-h/DSC03859.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhM6tf4ymWjT8x22fkE28y84fH8Qc7v4LCvfLGfmMnhb4GyyKw9C7R3mW4kFAfczxvn113abQ5s5q1cvgrq3kW7RDJnIaV2K6SPkApBOuuw_mvMZIsWvFPNikyHPf9Vb8uYVQg/s1600-h/DSCN0404.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121296991566396210" style="CURSOR: hand" height="188" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhM6tf4ymWjT8x22fkE28y84fH8Qc7v4LCvfLGfmMnhb4GyyKw9C7R3mW4kFAfczxvn113abQ5s5q1cvgrq3kW7RDJnIaV2K6SPkApBOuuw_mvMZIsWvFPNikyHPf9Vb8uYVQg/s320/DSCN0404.jpg" width="278" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VzIMGyTRmxqLc57SUwYNzvMzU-2TNAee8eupbfPvE41qO2-Ed3zil0aDsdMMJkmWY6Yl03JaksgGTHNJMFOuA-GzuPHijy_ow8NmMhANlf7XyTFjCyKBm-dw1gtldhx5sBzY/s1600-h/DSC02811.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121293435333475074" style="WIDTH: 261px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 189px" height="196" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VzIMGyTRmxqLc57SUwYNzvMzU-2TNAee8eupbfPvE41qO2-Ed3zil0aDsdMMJkmWY6Yl03JaksgGTHNJMFOuA-GzuPHijy_ow8NmMhANlf7XyTFjCyKBm-dw1gtldhx5sBzY/s320/DSC02811.JPG" width="268" border="0" /></a><br />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 '<em>Abertawe</em>' or the mouth of river <em>Tawe</em>! Photographs in ‘poses like our Darwinian forefathers’ and a beer or two later, everyone decided to head to Cardiff, the Welsh capital.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowqJNydeOtMxsIr_1FMu6UaxnrLstzSOn9TX67V6YLLnwZWrkZNdAmXsgNdLsImWGDtqfCQnXMbnbNx-pIyDpjD_k4U0S1fHLeRMf-o63qGa455TPUZzqFpwguLzvmLCrKz6Y/s1600-h/Exhilaration_Dinesh_Babuji.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121289544093104866" style="WIDTH: 275px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 196px" height="210" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowqJNydeOtMxsIr_1FMu6UaxnrLstzSOn9TX67V6YLLnwZWrkZNdAmXsgNdLsImWGDtqfCQnXMbnbNx-pIyDpjD_k4U0S1fHLeRMf-o63qGa455TPUZzqFpwguLzvmLCrKz6Y/s320/Exhilaration_Dinesh_Babuji.JPG" width="318" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXawh8H8_sDXCG5RJVkPRgYkuow2OOKHaAivuMHrVuLxi3sdXBP0UJEE51nV6rF9OZYhtKF_SfgOvqxuxqEugMNYOTMFoh98Isob5xAddGSxTMORzBMRfxm17eR8NJt8P1bqz/s1600-h/SS851114.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121296982976461586" style="WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 195px" height="208" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXawh8H8_sDXCG5RJVkPRgYkuow2OOKHaAivuMHrVuLxi3sdXBP0UJEE51nV6rF9OZYhtKF_SfgOvqxuxqEugMNYOTMFoh98Isob5xAddGSxTMORzBMRfxm17eR8NJt8P1bqz/s320/SS851114.JPG" width="319" border="0" /></a><br />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 "<em>Creating truth like glass from the furnace of inspiration</em>" and in English it said "<em>In these stones, horizons sing</em>". 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.<br /><br />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 (<em>pun intended</em>), we made the two birthday boys with us, cut the cake.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsv1i1Ri5mfXkbt-eoHCL1YTWK8QGiXrC4wpwplb9h4ufyXuZ8o32nfQ2Won0HmsowcL7EhMirONOM7G-2T69vUmV7DWW3vhcdQWvuGdyRjK4se5v6lfrBsQ6V33UE9LCR3XK/s1600-h/IMG_2796.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121292361591651058" style="WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 186px" height="212" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsv1i1Ri5mfXkbt-eoHCL1YTWK8QGiXrC4wpwplb9h4ufyXuZ8o32nfQ2Won0HmsowcL7EhMirONOM7G-2T69vUmV7DWW3vhcdQWvuGdyRjK4se5v6lfrBsQ6V33UE9LCR3XK/s320/IMG_2796.JPG" width="320" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fvxtHzio-bEZWF1uCiyHxyv2EIamFeVSzI53iw1TFfp_VHmFLdk_ZG8tr4iNRlQhF63tV-HGQVGHg-Q2Hi1wtu9UeEfkMrgThUKTcLV-T3Nw-QTClVBL0lawMRMvfBJtkRuI/s1600-h/SS851122.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121296987271428898" style="WIDTH: 260px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 185px" height="198" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fvxtHzio-bEZWF1uCiyHxyv2EIamFeVSzI53iw1TFfp_VHmFLdk_ZG8tr4iNRlQhF63tV-HGQVGHg-Q2Hi1wtu9UeEfkMrgThUKTcLV-T3Nw-QTClVBL0lawMRMvfBJtkRuI/s320/SS851122.JPG" width="264" border="0" /></a><br />We were on the road once again. This time, the destination was ‘<em>Blacksheep backpackers</em>’ in a small village of <em>Abergavenny</em> 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 <em>Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson</em>. 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiul0b2th9rRMu7YRkyWAqGC0cc49Rxw7WFQpD5S_Y6NZyo2LJDgxM2K8MHZJRX5YRd2VA5M3WTy3Rd9tHXlgt47LojNq5f-xVL68PTtq3JKyOzJVVoKtWRN_fFVwUy7iZhv9-X/s1600-h/DSC02907.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121299405338016610" style="WIDTH: 284px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px" height="215" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiul0b2th9rRMu7YRkyWAqGC0cc49Rxw7WFQpD5S_Y6NZyo2LJDgxM2K8MHZJRX5YRd2VA5M3WTy3Rd9tHXlgt47LojNq5f-xVL68PTtq3JKyOzJVVoKtWRN_fFVwUy7iZhv9-X/s320/DSC02907.JPG" width="283" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLN0Eheh2LW2AMxEXuDndUlmvD3tNL9MHBwTg2AKabOiMtWMLuqjQj5wtJZNjIB5bLbUpHk3inQ5rkTb4PQlvwZNnolZaUWoZIquXyXC42SqPFBW0PRfwEtPdpwfLzlywoC17/s1600-h/DSC03953.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121299396748082002" style="WIDTH: 278px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 220px" height="229" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLN0Eheh2LW2AMxEXuDndUlmvD3tNL9MHBwTg2AKabOiMtWMLuqjQj5wtJZNjIB5bLbUpHk3inQ5rkTb4PQlvwZNnolZaUWoZIquXyXC42SqPFBW0PRfwEtPdpwfLzlywoC17/s320/DSC03953.JPG" width="278" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Thankfully, everyone was smiling at the time!Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-8581555738233266552007-09-29T13:04:00.000+01:002007-09-29T13:21:05.236+01:00The unsung great of Twenty20: RP SinghWhy 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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-48855642864353724532007-09-25T08:53:00.001+01:002008-09-16T21:22:59.363+01:00T20 World Cup: Is there any other news today?Yay!<br /><br />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.<br />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.<br />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.<br /><br />Malik and Pak team need PR coach<br /><br />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.<br /><br />The television channels<br /><br />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 <em>praaji</em> 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 <em>'talli'</em> and claimed he would have given Yuvi the 'man of the tournament' award instead of Afridi.<br /><br />I know, you all know what I just wrote, but duuuudess!! (and dudettes too), I am over the moon too!<br />Sidhuism: 'Today was a colossal moment in the Indian cricketing history and I am as proud as a cat's whiskers!'Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-22417979361274107272007-09-21T16:26:00.000+01:002007-09-21T16:27:53.006+01:00The Greatness Guide: Book reviewRobin 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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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”.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br />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.<br />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.<br /><br />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. <br />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." <br />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.<br />“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.<br /><br />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.Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-1163824777430907082006-11-18T04:33:00.000+00:002006-12-20T05:35:15.339+00:00Why most Iyers are ‘not-slim’?<span style="font-size:85%;">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!). </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Iyers, as a community, believe in ‘<em>pehle pate pooja, fir kaam dooja</em>’. 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.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">'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 <em>'payasam'</em> (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 <em>mamis</em> ever-ready to cook. First course begins with rice with generous helping of <em>ghee</em>, and small amount of dal with <em>Sambaar</em> in tow. Second course is rice and <em>rasam</em>, with chips or <em>papadaam</em>. All this is served with a minimum of four <em>torans/poriyals/kootaans </em>(aka curries). A <em>'payasam'</em> round (short & sweet) before the third course. Finally, the main course consisting of the famous '<em>taeer-saadam</em>' (curd rice for the uninitiated). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">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 '<em>palahaaram</em>' i.e stuff like dosas, idlis, upma et al. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Anyways, I am not going to change any of that and continue eating food, the iyer-way. And I bet many Iyers will agree.</span> <span style="font-size:85%;">If Popeye was an Iyer, his song would start with something like ...</span><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">'I am what I am,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">I eat, what I can!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">I am Popeye the Iyer man!!'<br /><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">I cannot agree more when they say, "If you can't fit in the jeans, blame it on the genes" !!</div></span>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-1159108272258709662006-09-24T15:26:00.000+01:002006-09-24T15:31:12.276+01:00A pre-winter blog hibernation<span style="font-size:85%;">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. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">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 :(</span>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-1158318047678392962006-09-15T11:55:00.000+01:002006-09-15T12:30:24.483+01:00Advices for free....Advices for free...<span style="font-size:85%;">Why do you give advices so often,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I accidently ask a wise one.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Smiling wide he tells me; Son,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Advices are free, one or a ton.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">He continues as if I had urged him on,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Non-stop he just goes on and on.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Opinions galore, he never does stop,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Give him hints and he still prods on.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">For no reason, he squanders advice,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">His wisdom has become his biggest vice.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">For no reason, he keeps telling one and all,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">What all to do, and not take a fall.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The free advisors are pain in the ass,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">one chance and they start their class.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Most advices they give are trash,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">in the smallest pause, just make a dash.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I beg the gratitious advisors to stop,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">don't bore us till we die or drop.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Only when asked, show the wisdom,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">or can the crap, you stupid bum.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-1158066787810293962006-09-12T14:11:00.000+01:002006-09-12T14:13:07.836+01:00The speed God kips down<span style="font-size:85%;">1991-2006<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"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.<br /><br />The almost-eight time world champion of the high octane sport calls it a day while still on top.<br /><br /><strong>Thus, endeth an era.</strong></span>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-1157447491327857392006-09-05T10:08:00.000+01:002006-09-05T10:11:31.346+01:00Ek Nazm...<span style="font-size:85%;">Falak hai baadalon se bhara hua,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">zameen tarasti hain paani ke liye.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Zehen hai lafzon se bhara hua,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">ungliya tarasti hai likhne ke liye.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Shayar nahin kar rahein hain shayari,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Shayad hai unper kisi gam ka bhaar.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Sun ney ki aas mein hai duniya saari,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Fir Shayar habib ko kaisey karey inkaar.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Likhna tha sher, likh daali nazm,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Badla nahin kuch, per badal gaya dhang.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Shayari karne ki kabhi lee thee kasam,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Sher se muh modkar kar dee hai bhung. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">- Shayar Dinesh 'Indorie' ;)</span>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-1157015622199710592006-08-31T10:06:00.000+01:002006-08-31T10:13:42.223+01:00Yay!<span style="font-size:85%;">Yay! I am </span><a href="http://desicritics.org"><span style="font-size:85%;">'desicritic of the day' </span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">:)</span><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/854/1438/1600/dc1.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/854/1438/400/dc1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Dinesh aka LighterVein!</span><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/854/1438/1600/dc1.jpg"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/854/1438/1600/DC.0.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /></div>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-1156721759080502592006-08-28T00:34:00.000+01:002006-08-29T13:04:27.156+01:00Virgin Comics Review - Issue # 0 & #1<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Issue #0</strong><br />The free issue which can be downloaded from the Virgin comics site shows a sneak peek into <a href="http://www.virgincomics.com">Virgin Comics </a>venture. This preview contains two stories - Devi and Ramayan Reborn.<br /><br /><em>(The pics are taken from respective Virgin Comics' online edition. For enlarged view, right click on the images and open in new browser)</em><br /><br /><u>Devi<br /></u><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/854/1438/1600/devi_01_clr.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" height="131" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/854/1438/200/devi_01_clr.jpg" width="195" border="0" /></a>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.<br /><br /><u></u></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"><u></u></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"><u>Ramayan Reborn<br /></u><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/854/1438/1600/Ramayan.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px" height="127" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/854/1438/200/Ramayan.jpg" width="200" border="0" /></a>“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.<br /><br /><strong>Issue #1</strong><br /><br /><u>The Sadhu story<br /></u>"The Sadhu" has been written by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepak_Chopra">Deepak Chopra's </a>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 :<br />1) Introduction of warriors in India (Bengal, East India specifically) led by sadhu named Dadathakur and<br />2) A young lad named James Jensen trying to find a life with his wife in London.<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"></div></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"><u><br />Art</u></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/854/1438/1600/sadhu.2.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/854/1438/320/sadhu.2.jpg" border="0" /></a>Artist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeevan_Kang">Jeevan Kang </a>(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.<br />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.<br />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.<br /><br /><u>Conclusion<br /></u>“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.</span></div>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-1155633359808229702006-08-15T10:09:00.000+01:002006-08-15T12:19:38.323+01:00JAI HIND<div align="center"><strong>Vande Mataram</strong></div><p align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/854/1438/1600/india_flag.gif"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/854/1438/400/india_flag.png" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Where knowledge is free;<br />Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;<br />Where words come out from the depth of truth;<br />Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;<br />Where the mind is led forward by Thee to ever-widening thought and action<br />-Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Tagore's words of wisdom echo throughout India every year, but as <a href="http://varkey.blogspot.com">Varkey</a> 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.</span><br /></p><div align="center">JAI HIND ! </div>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-1154518207197282692006-08-02T12:26:00.000+01:002006-08-02T14:59:16.196+01:00Tuxedo<div align="center">Clothes maketh a man, they say.<br />'Agreed completely', aloud I say.<br /><br />Coat, trouser, shirt and bow,<br />maybe chest adorned with a rose.<br />Wear tuxedos and you will know,<br />what the superb garb endows.<br /><br />Clothes maketh a man, they say.<br />'Agreed completely', again I say.<br /><br />Pristine black against the white,<br />The contrast imprints on every sight.<br />Perfectly clad, smart and bright,<br />The age old saying's still so right.<br /><br />Clothes maketh a man, they say.<br />'Agreed completely', of course I say.<br /><br />Occasions galore for a tuxedo;<br />'cause it is but 'Attire Perfecto'.<br />'Tis for men, status high or low,<br />be they from cottages or ghetto.<br /><br />Clothes maketh a man, they say.<br />'Agreed completely', yet again I say.<br /><br />Tux is for all, not only for dandy men,<br />wear it right and you get a perfect ten.<br />Though tuxes are here for many a gen,<br />full of elegance, they still do glisten.</div>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-1153323725796944512006-07-19T16:24:00.002+01:002006-07-19T16:42:05.843+01:00Blog-ban: Satire<span style="font-size:85%;">Blogban: The Movie Review<br />*ing:Amitabh Blogchan, Hema Blogini.<br /><br /><a href="http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/jul/17blog.htm">BLOGBAN </a>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.<br /><br />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 <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/BloggersCollective">retaliates </a>peacefully. Amitabh Blogchan and Hema Blogini portray the part of bloggers with utmost ease and grace.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Rating: *****</span>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-1151944560322076692006-07-03T17:35:00.000+01:002006-07-03T17:36:00.366+01:00Ferrari Rulzzzzz....<span style="font-size:85%;">‘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.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Hail Ferrari!</span>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-1151505121078881082006-06-28T15:30:00.000+01:002006-06-28T15:32:01.156+01:00Technologically Challenged Sport<span style="font-size:85%;">Willkommen zum Fußball !<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Why is FIFA afraid of technology?<br />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?<br /><br />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.</span>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-1150902159630315952006-06-21T16:01:00.000+01:002006-06-21T16:02:39.716+01:00Protest Child Labour in Football !!<span style="font-size:85%;">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.<br /><br />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. :)<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />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.<br />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 <i>hold hands </i>with Beckham.</span>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-1150123365830050362006-06-12T15:20:00.000+01:002006-06-12T15:42:45.946+01:00The winning Formula<span style="font-size:85%;">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 <a href="http://www.formula1.com/archive/driver/2006.html">results</a> 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. </span>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15506915.post-1148654125026073552006-05-26T15:20:00.000+01:002006-06-02T12:24:01.186+01:00Classical Music explained unclassicaly<span style="font-size:85%;">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? </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Simple.... just answer her. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">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.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Here I am being interviewed..heh. Decide for yourself if I tried hard enough to draw parallels between the <em>saptaswaras</em> and <em>Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti</em>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Q: Indians thought about having their own music from after independence, 1947. Did your music emerge then?</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">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.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Q: What are the forms? Is it regionalised or something?</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">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.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Q: Where exactly was it born? Any particular <em>Guru </em>etc. ?</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">A: I wouldn't be able to tell you that. I reckon it was created by <em>rishi-munis</em> aka <em>Gurus</em> of yore. Carnatic music has few gurus by the name Tyagaraja(<em>she took 15 mins to learn to pronounce it</em>), Thiruvalluvar(<em>she didn't even bother pronouncing it</em>) 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(<em>pronunced instantly</em>) and Baiju Bawra.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">She: I know two people and have heard them - Pundit Ravishankar and Nusrat Fateh Ali khan.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Me: Pundit Ravishankar is an exponent of hindustani classical and Late Fateh Ali Khan is from Pakistan and a great singer himself.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Q: How does it happen in India? Are there schools to teach music or it just runs in families?</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">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.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">She: Well thats good.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Me: Sure is.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">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.</span>Dinesh Babujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704206681040474176noreply@blogger.com2