Is this really true??
If yes....this was not expected from someone like "Google" and I am sorry to be worshiping Google...
Friday, December 26, 2008
Can we live without e-mail and Internet now..?
I first came across something known as e-mail and Internet long back in early January 1999 at India Internet World, Pragati Maidaan, N Delhi. I was introduced to this by one of my batch mate at CDAC. It was really hard for me to believe at that point of time that anything like this can happen. To receive a mail you just needed a mail id and you have to know the nearest cyber cafe address.
I still remember those post dial up screens while connecting for Internet. Usually we used to keep our mails ready in a notepad and carry the same to the cyber cafe in a floppy so that we can send few mails within one hour. Visiting cafe once in 15 days was the best I could do at that time.
Now if I see, even a primary kid has got more mail pals that I am having in my total life till now. Now thinking that we can do away without e-mail is unbelievable. I now communicate using e-mail for my official and personal things. People expect a reply to the mail they sent to me few minutes back. And this has been fuelled up by social networking sites. Moment I see a new scrap in my scrapbook I am tempted to reply to that :). I never go to a railway station for booking my tickets, I book online. I never visit my bank branch for any transaction, I do it online. I do a voice/video chat with my family and friends instead of calling them. Things seems to be lot more easier and smoother because of Internet revolution. I can book hotels and restaurants online to have party with friends. I am more into e-life now a days because of this Internet boom.
This looks like the biggest revolution after mobile phones to me and now it seems to impossible to live without these.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Laws of life
I seriously believe people should follow these rules in their life to be happy.
1. Truth is a matter of timing: When I said that there was nothing wrong with the network it was true, things have changed. I love it when people try to hold me to things I said and try to tell me I am lying. This "rule" is more of a scientific proof.
2. Hold yourself only to your own standards: Do not hold yourself to others' standards. Hold yourself to your own measure (which is usually a much higher standard anyway), and have never felt wanting in any way.
3. Be selfish: There is a famous quote "If you are not for yourself, who will be? If you are only for yourself, what are you?" The one human being you are in the best position to protect and take care of is yourself, and you need care and protection like everyone else, so do yourself and everyone else a favour and take care of yourself first and others second. If you don't take care of yourself adequately
a)someone else is eventually going to get stuck with the burden of bailing you out and
b)your ability to help others is going to be diminished. Putting others first is really the ultimate selfish act. Take care of your own legitimate needs first, and then help others.
4. No one has any power over you which you do not choose to give them: What is your boss going to do, fire you? Unless you choose to allow that to have power over you, it is just an empty threat.
5. Owe people nothing: If you do things for people out of a gloomy feeling of obligation you are going to a half-hearted job of it and the other person is going to feel your half-heartiness too making things worse. If you do things for other people because you simply enjoy doing things for other people then you are going to put some passion into it because it’s fun and rewarding and the other person will sense it and feel uplifted. If you don't enjoy doing things for other people then just accept it and move on and don't drag yourself and other people down by doing things for others out of "obligation."
6. No remorse: Same thing. Either decide to make amends, which will free you from the feeling of remorse, or decide that you did nothing wrong and move on. Ruminating on bad choices to make you feel remorse for more than the split second necessary to decide to make amends is just self-indulgence. Some people mistakenly feel that "I feel really bad about what I did, and that’s punishment enough"
7. No guilt: Guilt is just an unpleasant emotion that happens after the fact and only in the brain of a single individual. By itself the emotion of guilt does nothing in the world except make one person miserable. If the first feel of guilt about a specific action results in the sufferer promptly taking action to make amends (which erases the guilt), then great. But guilt that lasts more than the split second necessary to take action on making amends doesn't help anyone, and may actually make the world a worse place to the extent people decide on how guilty they feel is an acceptable substitute for making amends.
I am emulating few lines from one of my friend's profile "It’s better to be hated for what you are, than to be loved for what you are not "
1. Truth is a matter of timing: When I said that there was nothing wrong with the network it was true, things have changed. I love it when people try to hold me to things I said and try to tell me I am lying. This "rule" is more of a scientific proof.
2. Hold yourself only to your own standards: Do not hold yourself to others' standards. Hold yourself to your own measure (which is usually a much higher standard anyway), and have never felt wanting in any way.
3. Be selfish: There is a famous quote "If you are not for yourself, who will be? If you are only for yourself, what are you?" The one human being you are in the best position to protect and take care of is yourself, and you need care and protection like everyone else, so do yourself and everyone else a favour and take care of yourself first and others second. If you don't take care of yourself adequately
a)someone else is eventually going to get stuck with the burden of bailing you out and
b)your ability to help others is going to be diminished. Putting others first is really the ultimate selfish act. Take care of your own legitimate needs first, and then help others.
4. No one has any power over you which you do not choose to give them: What is your boss going to do, fire you? Unless you choose to allow that to have power over you, it is just an empty threat.
5. Owe people nothing: If you do things for people out of a gloomy feeling of obligation you are going to a half-hearted job of it and the other person is going to feel your half-heartiness too making things worse. If you do things for other people because you simply enjoy doing things for other people then you are going to put some passion into it because it’s fun and rewarding and the other person will sense it and feel uplifted. If you don't enjoy doing things for other people then just accept it and move on and don't drag yourself and other people down by doing things for others out of "obligation."
6. No remorse: Same thing. Either decide to make amends, which will free you from the feeling of remorse, or decide that you did nothing wrong and move on. Ruminating on bad choices to make you feel remorse for more than the split second necessary to decide to make amends is just self-indulgence. Some people mistakenly feel that "I feel really bad about what I did, and that’s punishment enough"
7. No guilt: Guilt is just an unpleasant emotion that happens after the fact and only in the brain of a single individual. By itself the emotion of guilt does nothing in the world except make one person miserable. If the first feel of guilt about a specific action results in the sufferer promptly taking action to make amends (which erases the guilt), then great. But guilt that lasts more than the split second necessary to take action on making amends doesn't help anyone, and may actually make the world a worse place to the extent people decide on how guilty they feel is an acceptable substitute for making amends.
I am emulating few lines from one of my friend's profile "It’s better to be hated for what you are, than to be loved for what you are not "
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Money is not all we want....... is it?
Auto! Auto!" Ranjeev was calling out at a passing by auto rickshaw.
It was a Saturday evening. His roommates had been home for a long weekend. Yeah, Monday and Tuesday were declared holidays owing to a local festival. Ranjeev is working as a Software Engineer for a multinational company for the past 4 years.
"Tidel Park. How much?"
"Forty Five rupees, sir"
"Forty"
"Okay, sir"
In five minutes, they were at Metro signal caught up in a traffic jam.
"This signal always like this sir!. "Your cell phone ringing, sir".
Ranjeev was unaware as the ring tone was set to a low .
"Hello Aman!" ... "Long time man. Where are you?" ... "Oh man! I read the reviews. They say the movie is good. Got some work at office?" ...
"No, nothing serious. But have to go and do it today" ... "Sorry, I wont be able to join you guys for the movie today. Another time, okay?" ...
"Aish Kar. Chal, bye!"
"You work for computer company?" asked the autowalah.
"Yes! How do you know that?"
"Neatly dressing, smart, having cellphone, going to Tidel Park. I am running auto for 15 years sir. I know people by seeing only."
Ranjeev is dulled at people outlining software engineers the way they do. "It is never easy as said. It is not the apparent money and ostensible looks that make up a software engineer," he thought. "There is more to it * project, deadlines, quality, pressure, bonus, stress, onsite, and the list is long."
"Computer companies are good sir, giving job to youth. You all work very hard. I drop people from Tidel Park at midnight."
Ranjeev was maintaining his silence.
"Now people work like you very early. When I was youth I have many friends. We see many films. Ten, fifteen film one month. Saturday, Sunday we play cricket in our local park. Bet match sir for 50 rupees, 100 rupees. We win, then we will go to film or drink. I am big fan of Amitabh I had seen all of his films. His acting is very good. That time was really enjoying sir. You don't like films sir?"
"No, I like watching movies. I am planning to go to 'Dil Kabaddi' tomorrow"
"Where running sir?"
"Satyam"
"You go alone? No friends? Friends are important sir. No enjoyment without friends sir."
"My friends are going now. I have some work to finish today. So I am going tomorrow."
"Work will be there every time sir. Youth will go sir. If you don't mistake, I say something sir?"
Though looking uninterested, he had an urge to let him go. He nodded his head, "Mmm."
"You have more money but no time to spend money. You work more and get more money. Then time is very, very less to spend money. Then why do you need money sir? See sir, it is enough if you earn as much as you can spend. My father tell it to me. I follow it sir."
Ranjeev was deep in thought rewinding through his senior school days with Aman. Aman was his chum in class. They had been reading together from class VII. The last movie they saw together was 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun' during their final year at school. Both being Salman aficionados, they watched almost all of his movies together. Now that they both work at a Metro City they call up rarely and chitchat for sometime.
The auto came to a stop. "Tidel Park, sir" "If I talk something wrong, sorry sir."
"Thats okay. Can you take me to Satyam theatre? Fifty rupees?"
"Okay sir. Going to film sir?"
"Yes. With my friends."
Calling Aman..Connecting.."Hello Ranji!"
"Hey Aman! I am joining you guys for the movie. Can you guys get a ticket for me? I am on my way to Satyam."
"Good that you called me. I bought a ticket for you too before I called you up. Now I was trying to sell it out."
"Thanks man! Keep it for me."
"Come soon. See you!"
Why should we earn when we don't get the time to spend it the way that we enjoy the most!!!!!!
Don't give a slap to your personal life working on Weekends when they are yours.
It was a Saturday evening. His roommates had been home for a long weekend. Yeah, Monday and Tuesday were declared holidays owing to a local festival. Ranjeev is working as a Software Engineer for a multinational company for the past 4 years.
"Tidel Park. How much?"
"Forty Five rupees, sir"
"Forty"
"Okay, sir"
In five minutes, they were at Metro signal caught up in a traffic jam.
"This signal always like this sir!. "Your cell phone ringing, sir".
Ranjeev was unaware as the ring tone was set to a low .
"Hello Aman!" ... "Long time man. Where are you?" ... "Oh man! I read the reviews. They say the movie is good. Got some work at office?" ...
"No, nothing serious. But have to go and do it today" ... "Sorry, I wont be able to join you guys for the movie today. Another time, okay?" ...
"Aish Kar. Chal, bye!"
"You work for computer company?" asked the autowalah.
"Yes! How do you know that?"
"Neatly dressing, smart, having cellphone, going to Tidel Park. I am running auto for 15 years sir. I know people by seeing only."
Ranjeev is dulled at people outlining software engineers the way they do. "It is never easy as said. It is not the apparent money and ostensible looks that make up a software engineer," he thought. "There is more to it * project, deadlines, quality, pressure, bonus, stress, onsite, and the list is long."
"Computer companies are good sir, giving job to youth. You all work very hard. I drop people from Tidel Park at midnight."
Ranjeev was maintaining his silence.
"Now people work like you very early. When I was youth I have many friends. We see many films. Ten, fifteen film one month. Saturday, Sunday we play cricket in our local park. Bet match sir for 50 rupees, 100 rupees. We win, then we will go to film or drink. I am big fan of Amitabh I had seen all of his films. His acting is very good. That time was really enjoying sir. You don't like films sir?"
"No, I like watching movies. I am planning to go to 'Dil Kabaddi' tomorrow"
"Where running sir?"
"Satyam"
"You go alone? No friends? Friends are important sir. No enjoyment without friends sir."
"My friends are going now. I have some work to finish today. So I am going tomorrow."
"Work will be there every time sir. Youth will go sir. If you don't mistake, I say something sir?"
Though looking uninterested, he had an urge to let him go. He nodded his head, "Mmm."
"You have more money but no time to spend money. You work more and get more money. Then time is very, very less to spend money. Then why do you need money sir? See sir, it is enough if you earn as much as you can spend. My father tell it to me. I follow it sir."
Ranjeev was deep in thought rewinding through his senior school days with Aman. Aman was his chum in class. They had been reading together from class VII. The last movie they saw together was 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun' during their final year at school. Both being Salman aficionados, they watched almost all of his movies together. Now that they both work at a Metro City they call up rarely and chitchat for sometime.
The auto came to a stop. "Tidel Park, sir" "If I talk something wrong, sorry sir."
"Thats okay. Can you take me to Satyam theatre? Fifty rupees?"
"Okay sir. Going to film sir?"
"Yes. With my friends."
Calling Aman..Connecting.."Hello Ranji!"
"Hey Aman! I am joining you guys for the movie. Can you guys get a ticket for me? I am on my way to Satyam."
"Good that you called me. I bought a ticket for you too before I called you up. Now I was trying to sell it out."
"Thanks man! Keep it for me."
"Come soon. See you!"
Why should we earn when we don't get the time to spend it the way that we enjoy the most!!!!!!
Don't give a slap to your personal life working on Weekends when they are yours.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
People United
Despite all the loss and pain we suffered due to 26/11 one good thing came out, "The People". I could see lots and lots of people from all places coming together and demanding, sharing the pain and expressing their anger and grief over what happened. This is the first time in the history of independent India that people had came together to show their anger toward our useless politicians who are just busy passing the bucks.
People are saying today that Enough is Enough and we are not going to tolerate all this now on. We are paying taxes to the government so that they spend all this money to protect some so called biggies who are facing murder charges against them. If they are truly peoples' representatives why do they need all this showbiz of having Z+ and Z security. When the people who are voting for them are not being protected why do they pay for their politicians' security?
Why should one go out and vote for someone who is doing nothing to protect their interests? I believe we should have an option of "No one is fit" while voting and given this option, I am sure that most of us will go for that option. What is the need of keeping and feeding these white elephants who are all burden on our country. Why should be a politician be paid so much, why should he be given free electricity, free residence, free telephone, free security cover and free travel when a general citizen has to fight for his basic needs and requirements?
Under present situation, while leaving home in morning, no one is sure what is going to happen to him later in the day, wether he will come back home safely or not is not sure to him. When a common man who was supposed to be the pillar of democracy is now shaken and stirred, how can we expect the democracy to survive?
When politicians have no respect for the rules and regulation of this country, why should a common man be made scapegoat for something he never opted of?
Where a Home minister is more concerned about his dress than the safety of people, where a chief minister is more concerned about the vote bank and ignores the group of people taking over law in the name of regionalism, where ruling coalition is still busy playing the cast card for electing the new chief minister, no wonder a bunch of guys in their twenties have courage to plan and execute the attack on Mumbai's soft targets. I wonder why these politicians are never targeted by these terrorist attacks?
How so called owners of Mumbai are still not in scene despite all this happened and those unwanted outsiders came, fought, laid their lives and rescued people from those attack targets?
How can intelligence fail in collecting and interpreting these vital inputs that led to the attack? Its like a sailor saying that I could not take the ship into deep seas. This is what he is supposed to do, this is his job. If the solider posted on the border starts ignoring his duties, can we be peaceful at our homes?
Instead of passing the bucks, everyone has to be honest to his/her duties and responsibilities and has to be an active and aware citizen if we want our country to be a peaceful and developed place worth living.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER
After Mumbai 26/11, I came across this excellent piece of write up named "LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER "
Thought its good to share it will Indians around world who really care for India and I believe they all are speaking the same language.
Dear Mr. Prime minister
I am a typical mouse from Mumbai. In the local train compartment which has capacity of 100 persons, I travel with 500 more mouse. Mouse at least squeak but we don't even do that.
Today I heard your speech. In which you said 'NO BODY WOULD BE SPARED'. I would like to remind you that fourteen years has passed since serial bomb blast in Mumbai took place. Dawood was the main conspirator. Till today he is not caught. All our Bollywood actors, our builders, our Gutka king meets him but your Government can not catch him. Reason is simple; all your ministers are hand in glove with him. If any attempt is made to catch him everybody will be exposed. Your statement 'NOBODY WOULD BE SPARED' is nothing but a cruel joke on this unfortunate people of India.
Enough is enough. As such after seeing terrorist attack carried out by about a dozen young boys I realize that if same thing continues days are not away when terrorist will attack by air, destroy our nuclear reactor and there will be one more Hiroshima.
We the people are left with only one mantra. Womb to Bomb to Tomb. You promised Mumbaikar Shanghai what you have given us is Jalianwala Baag.
Today only your home minister resigned. What took you so long to kick out this joker? Only reason was that he was loyal to Gandhi family. Loyalty to Gandhi family is more important than blood of innocent people, isn't it?
I am born and bought up in Mumbai for last fifty eight years. Believe me corruption in Maharashtra is worse than that in Bihar. Look at all the politician, Sharad Pawar, Chagan Bhujbal, Narayan Rane, Bal Thackray , Gopinath Munde, Raj Thackray, Vilasrao Deshmukh all are rolling in money. Vilasrao Deshmukh is one of the worst Chief minister I have seen. His only business is to increase the FSI every other day, make money and send it to Delhi so Congress can fight next election. Now the clown has found new way and will increase FSI for fisherman so they can build concrete house right on sea shore. Next time terrorist can comfortably live in those house , enjoy the beauty of sea and then attack the Mumbai at their will.
Recently I had to purchase house in Mumbai. I met about two dozen builders. Everybody wanted about 30% in black. A common person like me knows this and with all your intelligent agency & CBI you and your finance minister are not aware of it. Where all the black money goes? To the underworld isn't it? Our politicians take help of these goondas to vacate people by force. I myself was victim of it. If you have time please come to me, I will tell you everything.
If this has been land of fools, idiots then I would not have ever cared to write you this letter. Just see the tragedy, on one side we are reaching moon, people are so intelligent and on other side you politician has converted nectar into deadly poison. I am everything Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Schedule caste, OBC, Muslim OBC, Christian Schedule caste, Creamy Schedule caste only what I am not is INDIAN. You politician have raped every part of mother India by your policy of divide and rule.
Take example of former president Abdul Kalam. Such a intelligent person, such a fine human being. You politician didn't even spare him. Your party along with opposition joined the hands, because politician feels they are supreme and there is no place for good person.
Dear Mr Prime minister you are one of the most intelligent person, most learned person. Just wake up, be a real SARDAR. First and foremost expose all selfish politician. Ask Swiss bank to give name of all Indian account holder. Give reins of CBI to independent agency. Let them find wolf among us. There will be political upheaval but that will better than dance of death which we are witnessing every day. Just give us ambient where we can work honestly and without fear. Let there be rule of law. Everything else will be taken care of.
Choice is yours Mr. Prime Minister. Do you want to be lead by one person or you want to lead the nation of 100 Crore people?
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Relations....
Relations is one of the most complex gifts to his society by human beings. Its a collection of different tastes..sweet, sour, salty, bitter and so on...
There are so many types of relations like with normal friends, parents, siblings, close friends, colleagues, buddies from school and college and many more...Some you choose and some you don't....To keep in sync with everyone and to be with everyone all the time is itself a great skill, that one need to inherit to be good at relations.
Although I am gifted with many beautiful relations in my life. There are people who mean everything to me in life and hope I do mean something to atleast few of them in their lives, but I somehow feel I am not so good at nourishing those, as I can see I am missing few of my relations and need to upgrade myself on this front. I feel I had hurt few of my relations (who I chose myself) in recent past and I repent my actions . Wished I had updated myself well, so that I could have avoided that.
I miss those relations very badly. For some I lost, I am really puzzled what went wrong, for some I knew there were my so called other relations responsible,but now that is past and can't be changed. Wish I could go back in time and correct my mistakes.
I knew very well that relationships are meant to be cherished not to be broken, but feel myself helpless standing at various junctions of life, just stuck with the responsibilities and expectations of my other relations.
Whenever I am alone and think of my past, I find myself in a situation like in the lines below..
कोई फरियाद तेरे दिल मैं दबी हो जैसे,
तूने आँखों से कोई बात कही हो जैसे,
जान बाकी हो मगर,सांस रुकी हो जैसे ...
हर मुलाकात पर महसूस यही होता है..
मुझसे कुछ तेरी नज़र पूछ रही हो जैसे..
राह चलते हुए अक्सर यह गुमान होता है,
वो नज़र छुप के मुझे देख रही हो जैसे..
There are so many types of relations like with normal friends, parents, siblings, close friends, colleagues, buddies from school and college and many more...Some you choose and some you don't....To keep in sync with everyone and to be with everyone all the time is itself a great skill, that one need to inherit to be good at relations.
Although I am gifted with many beautiful relations in my life. There are people who mean everything to me in life and hope I do mean something to atleast few of them in their lives, but I somehow feel I am not so good at nourishing those, as I can see I am missing few of my relations and need to upgrade myself on this front. I feel I had hurt few of my relations (who I chose myself) in recent past and I repent my actions . Wished I had updated myself well, so that I could have avoided that.
I miss those relations very badly. For some I lost, I am really puzzled what went wrong, for some I knew there were my so called other relations responsible,but now that is past and can't be changed. Wish I could go back in time and correct my mistakes.
I knew very well that relationships are meant to be cherished not to be broken, but feel myself helpless standing at various junctions of life, just stuck with the responsibilities and expectations of my other relations.
Whenever I am alone and think of my past, I find myself in a situation like in the lines below..
कोई फरियाद तेरे दिल मैं दबी हो जैसे,
तूने आँखों से कोई बात कही हो जैसे,
जान बाकी हो मगर,सांस रुकी हो जैसे ...
हर मुलाकात पर महसूस यही होता है..
मुझसे कुछ तेरी नज़र पूछ रही हो जैसे..
राह चलते हुए अक्सर यह गुमान होता है,
वो नज़र छुप के मुझे देख रही हो जैसे..
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Mumbai Mirror
The recent terrorist attacks on Mumbai showed us
- How easily security was infiltrated
- How people kept their cool in such situation
- How can a bunch of youth, when misguided can lay their life for something cruel like this in the name of terrorism
- How our brave fighters took over the whole situation and sanitised everything
- How shamelessly our great politicians behave in these situations
- How media stood by for minute by minute update to make us feel safe
- How a normal Mumbaikar was there to serve tea to Jawans fighting there
Those terrorists tried their best to ruin our image of a peaceful nation in the name of religious warfare, but of no use. We are still a economically sound, peaceful and rock solid country and nothing like this can shake us.
I heard about all this at around midnight and ever since keeping a close watch on the happening. It was rather shocking and painful to see innocent people being targeted for no reason. I would rather say, if you want a war, let it be a war. We'll close the topic once for all. We lost many innocent and brave lives, someone lost their son, a girl who was planning to get married lost her future husband, a family in UP lost their son who went to Mumbai to earn so that he can earn for marriage of his sister and so many more.....
Media was giving update minute by minute, net was flooded with updates on sites like twitter, blogger etc, but I seriously think the media has to be more responsible to decide what should be disclosed and what should not to be shown.
Sometimes I wonder why we can't provide advanced weapons to each and every police personal. I don't thing budget should be a restrain for this as I believe this can be provided if extravagant expenditure on useless politicians can be trimmed a bit. If they had all this , there was no need for them to wait for NSG to arrive at scene and they could had acted much faster. One of the frustrating things to see was that we had the first statement from any politician, Dr. Manmohan Singh after 19 hours from when the terrorist attacks started, no one else seriously bothered about all this as they don't have anything to capitalise on, what a shame.
One thing I would like to mention specially is about Raj Thakery and MNS people were. I hope he knew that NSG people although were not marathi manoos but they risked their lives to save so call "his Mumbai". Hope he must have understood that not all people think like him, or else still Taj would have been under control of terrorists. On the other hand there were Mumbaikar who were offering tea to the Jawans fighting for their countrymen at all the attack locations.
People should have faith in their system and has to be more vigilant as a citizen to prevent anything like this from happening.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Alvida "Dada"
Yesterday was the day an Era ended in Indian cricket. After so much of ups, downs, yes and no..Dada retired from international cricket. Some events on the final day
1. Ganguly taking over as Indian captain in final overs.
2. Kumble coming to the podium and collecting the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
3. Champagne enjoyed by the team and
4. The victory lap of team.
Dhoni really a smart chap, in all this also he got applauds..indeed a smarty.
For me whenever I talk about Dada I remember the Lords balcony with Dada swinging his t-shirt, Dada hitting sixes to each and every bowler coming to bowl, Dada leading team in a messed up situation and still winning it. Dada is a perfect example of a fighter who made ripples all around with his Pepsi As "Bhoole to nahin" and returned back to team with a bang. He was victimised by the dirty politics of Indian cricket controlled mainly by a bunch of politically influenced veterans
His was a glory period and we all relished it.
Hoping to see Dada again in action in some new avatar soon...
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Calcutta a "Mixed Bag"
It has been more than one year for me in Calcutta as of now and I came across so many more things over here that I though of penning it down to share it again. And yes I am calling Kolkata as Calcutta because ever since I remember, I knew this place as Calcutta only and I loved that name.
I had been to other metros also, came across various places/people but this city, oldest metro of my country is again a Pandora's box for me.
This city has got a culture of British Raaj, old buildings depicting the legacy of English spread into acres and acres of land like Victoria Memorial
Also I could see people struggling to reach their destinations in crowded buses
I could see few places of ample parking space in the heart of the city
Also I could see bumper to bumper parking nearby
I could see people enjoying a Ferry ride for pleasure and outing
Also I could see a fisherman waiting for fishes to get caught in his net patiently for hours in the same waters
I could see mad rush of people during Durga Puja celebrations
Also I could see same old city moving at its own pace somewhere else
I could see innovative ideas during during Durga Puja celebrations
Also I could see very old local trains acting as a backbone of the city
I could see nature at its best during one of my outings
Also I could see craftsman's perfect creations
As we sit and watch, the city opens up bit by bit and shows us its many faces....
I had been to other metros also, came across various places/people but this city, oldest metro of my country is again a Pandora's box for me.
This city has got a culture of British Raaj, old buildings depicting the legacy of English spread into acres and acres of land like Victoria Memorial
Also I could see people struggling to reach their destinations in crowded buses
I could see few places of ample parking space in the heart of the city
Also I could see bumper to bumper parking nearby
I could see people enjoying a Ferry ride for pleasure and outing
Also I could see a fisherman waiting for fishes to get caught in his net patiently for hours in the same waters
I could see mad rush of people during Durga Puja celebrations
Also I could see same old city moving at its own pace somewhere else
I could see innovative ideas during during Durga Puja celebrations
Also I could see very old local trains acting as a backbone of the city
I could see nature at its best during one of my outings
Also I could see craftsman's perfect creations
As we sit and watch, the city opens up bit by bit and shows us its many faces....
Monday, October 27, 2008
Are the brahmins and other upper castes of yesterday becoming the Dalits of today??
At a time when the government is pushing more and more to raise the quota for Other Backward Classes in private and public sectors, nobody talks about the plight of the upper castes. The public image of the Brahmins, for instance, is that of an affluent, pampered class. But is it so today?
There are 50 Sulabh Shauchalayas (public toilets) in Delhi; all of them are cleaned and looked after by Brahmins (this very welcome public institution was started by a Brahmin). A far cry from the elitist image that Brahmins have!
There are five to six Brahmins manning each Shauchalaya. They came to Delhi eight to ten years back looking for a source of income, as they were a minority in most of their villages, where Dalits are in majority (60 per cent to 65 per cent). In most villages in UP and Bihar, Dalits have a union which helps them secure jobs in villages.
Did you know that you also stumble upon a number of Brahmins working as coolies at Delhi's railway stations? One of them, Kripa Shankar Sharma, says while his daughter is doing her Bachelors in Science he is not sure if she will secure a job.
"Dalits often have five to six kids, but they are confident of placing them easily and well," he says. As a result, the Dalit population is increasing in villages. He adds: "Dalits are provided with housing, even their pigs have spaces; whereas there is no provision for gaushalas (cowsheds) for the cows of the Brahmins."
You also find Brahmin rickshaw pullers in Delhi. 50 per cent of Patel Nagar's rickshaw pullers are Brahmins who like their brethren have moved to the city looking for jobs for lack of employment opportunities and poor education in their villages.
Even after toiling the whole day, Vijay Pratap and Sidharth Tiwari, two Brahmin rickshaw pullers, say they are hardly able to make ends meet. These men make about Rs 100 to Rs 150 on an average every day from which they pay a daily rent of Rs 25 for their rickshaws and Rs 500 to Rs 600 towards the rent of their rooms which is shared by 3 to 4 people or their families.
Did you also know that most rickshaw pullers in Banaras are Brahmins?
This reverse discrimination is also found in bureaucracy and politics. Most of the intellectual Brahmin Tamil class has emigrated outside Tamil Nadu. Only 5 seats out of 600 in the combined UP and Bihar assembly are held by Brahmins -- the rest are in the hands of the Yadavs.
400,000 Brahmins of the Kashmir valley, the once respected Kashmiri Pandits, now live as refugees in their own country, sometimes in refugee camps in Jammu and Delhi in appalling conditions. But who gives a damn about them? Their vote bank is negligible.
And this is not limited to the North alone. 75 per cent of domestic help and cooks in Andhra Pradesh are Brahmins. A study of the Brahmin community in a district in Andhra Pradesh reveals that today all purohits live below the poverty line.
Eighty per cent of those surveyed stated that their poverty and traditional style of dress and hair (tuft) had made them the butt of ridicule. Financial constraints coupled with the existing system of reservations for the 'backward classes' prevented them from providing secular education to their children.
Who are the real Dalits of India?
In fact, according to this study there has been an overall decline in the number of Brahmin students. With the average income of Brahmins being less than that of non-Brahmins, a high percentage of Brahmin students drop out at the intermediate level. In the 5 to 18 year age group, 44 per cent Brahmin students stopped education at the primary level and 36 per cent at the pre-matriculation level.
The study also found that 55 per cent of all Brahmins lived below the poverty line -- below a per capita income of Rs 650 a month. Since 45 per cent of the total population of India is officially stated to be below the poverty line it follows that the percentage of destitute Brahmins is 10 per cent higher than the all-India figure.
There is no reason to believe that the condition of Brahmins in other parts of the country is different. In this connection it would be revealing to quote the per capita income of various communities as stated by the Karnataka finance minister in the state assembly: Christians Rs 1,562, Vokkaligas Rs 914, Muslims Rs 794, Scheduled castes Rs 680, Scheduled Tribes Rs 577 and Brahmins Rs 537.
Appalling poverty compels many Brahmins to migrate to towns leading to spatial dispersal and consequent decline in their local influence and institutions. Brahmins initially turned to government jobs and modern occupations such as law and medicine. But preferential policies for the non-Brahmins have forced Brahmins to retreat in these spheres as well.
According to the Andhra Pradesh study, the largest percentage of Brahmins today are employed as domestic servants. The unemployment rate among them is as high as 75 per cent. Seventy percent of Brahmins are still relying on their hereditary vocation. There are hundreds of families that are surviving on just Rs 500 per month as priests in various temples.
Priests are under tremendous difficulty today, sometimes even forced to beg for alms for survival. There are innumerable instances in which Brahmin priests who spent a lifetime studying Vedas are being ridiculed and disrespected.
At Tamil Nadu's Ranganathaswamy Temple, a priest's monthly salary is Rs 300 and a daily allowance of one measure of rice. The government staff at the same temple receive Rs 2,500 plus per month. But these facts have not modified the priests' reputation as 'haves' and as 'exploiters.' The destitution of Hindu priests has moved none, not even the parties known for Hindu sympathy.
The tragedy of modern India is that the combined votes of Dalits/OBC and Muslims are enough for any government to be elected. The Congress quickly cashed in on it after Independence, but probably no other government than Sonia Gandhi's has gone so far in shamelessly dividing Indian society for garnering votes.
The Indian government gives Rs 1,000 crores (Rs 10 billion) for salaries of imams in mosques and Rs 200 crores (Rs 2 billion) as Haj subsidies. But no such help is available to Brahmins and upper castes. As a result, not only the Brahmins, but also some of the other upper castes in the lower middle class are suffering in silence today, seeing the minorities slowly taking control of their majority.
So the question is: Are the Brahmins (and other upper castes) of yesterday becoming the Dalits of today?
There are 50 Sulabh Shauchalayas (public toilets) in Delhi; all of them are cleaned and looked after by Brahmins (this very welcome public institution was started by a Brahmin). A far cry from the elitist image that Brahmins have!
There are five to six Brahmins manning each Shauchalaya. They came to Delhi eight to ten years back looking for a source of income, as they were a minority in most of their villages, where Dalits are in majority (60 per cent to 65 per cent). In most villages in UP and Bihar, Dalits have a union which helps them secure jobs in villages.
Did you know that you also stumble upon a number of Brahmins working as coolies at Delhi's railway stations? One of them, Kripa Shankar Sharma, says while his daughter is doing her Bachelors in Science he is not sure if she will secure a job.
"Dalits often have five to six kids, but they are confident of placing them easily and well," he says. As a result, the Dalit population is increasing in villages. He adds: "Dalits are provided with housing, even their pigs have spaces; whereas there is no provision for gaushalas (cowsheds) for the cows of the Brahmins."
You also find Brahmin rickshaw pullers in Delhi. 50 per cent of Patel Nagar's rickshaw pullers are Brahmins who like their brethren have moved to the city looking for jobs for lack of employment opportunities and poor education in their villages.
Even after toiling the whole day, Vijay Pratap and Sidharth Tiwari, two Brahmin rickshaw pullers, say they are hardly able to make ends meet. These men make about Rs 100 to Rs 150 on an average every day from which they pay a daily rent of Rs 25 for their rickshaws and Rs 500 to Rs 600 towards the rent of their rooms which is shared by 3 to 4 people or their families.
Did you also know that most rickshaw pullers in Banaras are Brahmins?
This reverse discrimination is also found in bureaucracy and politics. Most of the intellectual Brahmin Tamil class has emigrated outside Tamil Nadu. Only 5 seats out of 600 in the combined UP and Bihar assembly are held by Brahmins -- the rest are in the hands of the Yadavs.
400,000 Brahmins of the Kashmir valley, the once respected Kashmiri Pandits, now live as refugees in their own country, sometimes in refugee camps in Jammu and Delhi in appalling conditions. But who gives a damn about them? Their vote bank is negligible.
And this is not limited to the North alone. 75 per cent of domestic help and cooks in Andhra Pradesh are Brahmins. A study of the Brahmin community in a district in Andhra Pradesh reveals that today all purohits live below the poverty line.
Eighty per cent of those surveyed stated that their poverty and traditional style of dress and hair (tuft) had made them the butt of ridicule. Financial constraints coupled with the existing system of reservations for the 'backward classes' prevented them from providing secular education to their children.
Who are the real Dalits of India?
In fact, according to this study there has been an overall decline in the number of Brahmin students. With the average income of Brahmins being less than that of non-Brahmins, a high percentage of Brahmin students drop out at the intermediate level. In the 5 to 18 year age group, 44 per cent Brahmin students stopped education at the primary level and 36 per cent at the pre-matriculation level.
The study also found that 55 per cent of all Brahmins lived below the poverty line -- below a per capita income of Rs 650 a month. Since 45 per cent of the total population of India is officially stated to be below the poverty line it follows that the percentage of destitute Brahmins is 10 per cent higher than the all-India figure.
There is no reason to believe that the condition of Brahmins in other parts of the country is different. In this connection it would be revealing to quote the per capita income of various communities as stated by the Karnataka finance minister in the state assembly: Christians Rs 1,562, Vokkaligas Rs 914, Muslims Rs 794, Scheduled castes Rs 680, Scheduled Tribes Rs 577 and Brahmins Rs 537.
Appalling poverty compels many Brahmins to migrate to towns leading to spatial dispersal and consequent decline in their local influence and institutions. Brahmins initially turned to government jobs and modern occupations such as law and medicine. But preferential policies for the non-Brahmins have forced Brahmins to retreat in these spheres as well.
According to the Andhra Pradesh study, the largest percentage of Brahmins today are employed as domestic servants. The unemployment rate among them is as high as 75 per cent. Seventy percent of Brahmins are still relying on their hereditary vocation. There are hundreds of families that are surviving on just Rs 500 per month as priests in various temples.
Priests are under tremendous difficulty today, sometimes even forced to beg for alms for survival. There are innumerable instances in which Brahmin priests who spent a lifetime studying Vedas are being ridiculed and disrespected.
At Tamil Nadu's Ranganathaswamy Temple, a priest's monthly salary is Rs 300 and a daily allowance of one measure of rice. The government staff at the same temple receive Rs 2,500 plus per month. But these facts have not modified the priests' reputation as 'haves' and as 'exploiters.' The destitution of Hindu priests has moved none, not even the parties known for Hindu sympathy.
The tragedy of modern India is that the combined votes of Dalits/OBC and Muslims are enough for any government to be elected. The Congress quickly cashed in on it after Independence, but probably no other government than Sonia Gandhi's has gone so far in shamelessly dividing Indian society for garnering votes.
'These measures will not achieve social justice'
The Indian government gives Rs 1,000 crores (Rs 10 billion) for salaries of imams in mosques and Rs 200 crores (Rs 2 billion) as Haj subsidies. But no such help is available to Brahmins and upper castes. As a result, not only the Brahmins, but also some of the other upper castes in the lower middle class are suffering in silence today, seeing the minorities slowly taking control of their majority.
So the question is: Are the Brahmins (and other upper castes) of yesterday becoming the Dalits of today?
Monday, October 13, 2008
Where are my Mails ??
Last week I got a wonderfully drafted e-mail from one of my friend asking for my Snail mail (postal) address. Although there was nothing wrong in what he was asking for , but still he had explained one full paragraph for why he had asked that!
I am not able to remember when did I last penned down a letter to anyone. I am a typical netizen. My day starts with e-mails and also ends with e-mails. Yet I eagerly wait for a snail mail during Rakshabandhan, I'm more than happy to receive a greeting card on my birthday than e-cards, mails or scraps. I am an avid fan of gadgets but I still love having a look on snap prints all around me on floor instead of browsing through those digital images on my laptop.
People like me today prefer e-mail/phone calls/Sms instead of writing letters to each other. But the pleasure of letters can't be replaced by these e-tools. I used to earlier check my letter-box regularly anxiously for letters from my friends, grandpa, cousins & relatives. Today I check that letter-box once in a week as it receives only magazines I had subscribed or promotional letters from banks and airlines.
The whole world around me has changed a lot, I don't even know the price of Inland letter or a postcard because it has been long since I had ever used them.I used to keep all my letters safely during my school days and that box still lies safely at my parents' place. Whenever I get a chance to read those letters and greetings I enjoy the travel through the memory lane.
The so called technological advancement might have changed and eased our lives but it had taken out the essence of "The journey called Life" from us.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
'The Wall' erected to honour Dravid
Dravid being honoured for his achievements by Karnataka Cricket Association.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Smoking banned in India (Read "banned in public ")
The so called social movement has officially started in India effective today (As our Mr. Health Minister says) with the help of enforcement agencies. Even companies where smoking was allowed inside office had also circulated this memorandum of no smoking to support it. Many feel although this move will not be able to stop people from smoking but it may help in their efforts to kick the butt.
My question in this line is "Does anyone really need a law if he/she wants to quit smoking and if they don't want to quit , can any law help??"
Everyone knows how much effective is any ban in our country. I would love to see how this ban on smoking in public will be implemented. I see people (read Cigarette consumers ) discussing the implications and effects of this law. Every one is anxious to see the outcome of implementation to be implemented all over India starting tomorrow. Personally I neither support this nor I oppose this as this is one more law for me which I know will be implemented in typical government execution style. Police will be happy to settle scores with the offenders caught smoking(read off record cases), filling their pockets and letting people go away.
Lets wait and see what happens of this much hyped law on 139th birth anniversary of Mr. Gandhi.
I had read somewhere "To quit smoking is not very difficult, we know because we have tried it a 1000 times "
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Underestimating Google is always fatal
Google's first Android-based phone was announced Tuesday and so far, the response has been mixed.
Some believe it'll be the next big thing in the cell phone business because it adds some basics such as a physical keyboard (that the iPhone is lacking incidently) Others believe the G1 will fall flat on its face because it's not unique and its omissions (Exchange support, for one) will make it lose out in the corporate space. (For a full comparison of the two devices, see "T-Mobile G1 Vs. Apple iPhone 3G.")
I tend to agree on both counts. I think Android could be a major hit in the cell phone space, but the G1 won't be able to stand up to Apple or RIM. It's too underpowered and its obvious omissions tell me T-Mobile and Google rushed it before it was ready.
But Android is an entirely different story. At its core, Android is a platform that has tons of potential. It's not only open (which is probably the best feature), it offers full Google integration, which is a key concept in today's age of Google domination, and its touch-screen capabilities mean Apple isn't the only other major company doing something unique in the market.
But my belief that Android will be a success goes far beyond the product itself. Call me crazy, but I can't think of one reason why anyone would underestimate Google. Countless times, companies have ignored Google and let it slip into a market, only to learn when it's too late that it's the leader.
And while it's easy for Apple and the rest to scoff now, you can bet that that's exactly what Google wants.
Who would have thought that Google would become such a powerhouse in the tech industry? Ask.com certainly didn't think it could happen and neither did Yahoo. AOL must have thought Google was just another flash in the pan. Oh how wrong they were.
And what about Hotmail, Yahoo Mail, and the rest? Certainly Microsoft and Yahoo didn't believe that a product called Gmail would make an impact, right? After all, why would anyone actually want to use an online email application from Google when they can use Outlook on any Windows machine in existence? Nice one, Microsoft.
Speaking of Microsoft, where was it when Google was building its online advertising empire? And why didn't it stop Google in its tracks once the company started bringing Google Docs online to compete with Office? Oh, and what about that whole search thing? Didn't Microsoft see that one coming?
Google has its grips in countless markets in the tech industry. It leads the way in search and advertising, but it's a major player in online productivity apps, mapping solutions, and a slew of other places where the leader was supplanted without much worry. And although it's still struggling with YouTube, we can't forget that Google was the only company that had both the money and vision to acquire that site.
The key to Google's success throughout the years is two-fold: it offered superior products because it understood what customers wanted, but it also capitalized on all its competitors that failed to believe that a company with that crazy name could become a powerhouse in any market.
Oh, how wrong they were.
And now, as Android finally hits store shelves next month, companies in the cell phone industry are making the same mistake. Microsoft claims it isn't worried about Android (we've been down this road before, Microsoft), Apple doesn't see it as a worry, and RIM has practically ignored it. All the while, Sergey and Larry have been forming alliances with companies that will see dozens of Android-based phones hit store shelves over the next few years.
Have any of these companies learned anything? Sure, the search and advertising business is much different that cell phone software, but Google's knowledge about what the consumer wants hasn't changed. Worse, Google's understanding of what the market needs has gotten better over time.
At this point, I don't know if Android will lead the way in the cell phone industry and I have no idea if Google will supplant Apple and the rest or face annihilation. But if I had to put money on the most likely outcome, I wouldn't bet against Google. The company has been right too many times to bet against it.
Apple, RIM, Microsoft, and the rest need to wake up and realize that the G1's success isn't indicative of the future success of Google in the cell phone industry. Android is.
Some believe it'll be the next big thing in the cell phone business because it adds some basics such as a physical keyboard (that the iPhone is lacking incidently) Others believe the G1 will fall flat on its face because it's not unique and its omissions (Exchange support, for one) will make it lose out in the corporate space. (For a full comparison of the two devices, see "T-Mobile G1 Vs. Apple iPhone 3G.")
I tend to agree on both counts. I think Android could be a major hit in the cell phone space, but the G1 won't be able to stand up to Apple or RIM. It's too underpowered and its obvious omissions tell me T-Mobile and Google rushed it before it was ready.
But Android is an entirely different story. At its core, Android is a platform that has tons of potential. It's not only open (which is probably the best feature), it offers full Google integration, which is a key concept in today's age of Google domination, and its touch-screen capabilities mean Apple isn't the only other major company doing something unique in the market.
But my belief that Android will be a success goes far beyond the product itself. Call me crazy, but I can't think of one reason why anyone would underestimate Google. Countless times, companies have ignored Google and let it slip into a market, only to learn when it's too late that it's the leader.
And while it's easy for Apple and the rest to scoff now, you can bet that that's exactly what Google wants.
Who would have thought that Google would become such a powerhouse in the tech industry? Ask.com certainly didn't think it could happen and neither did Yahoo. AOL must have thought Google was just another flash in the pan. Oh how wrong they were.
And what about Hotmail, Yahoo Mail, and the rest? Certainly Microsoft and Yahoo didn't believe that a product called Gmail would make an impact, right? After all, why would anyone actually want to use an online email application from Google when they can use Outlook on any Windows machine in existence? Nice one, Microsoft.
Speaking of Microsoft, where was it when Google was building its online advertising empire? And why didn't it stop Google in its tracks once the company started bringing Google Docs online to compete with Office? Oh, and what about that whole search thing? Didn't Microsoft see that one coming?
Google has its grips in countless markets in the tech industry. It leads the way in search and advertising, but it's a major player in online productivity apps, mapping solutions, and a slew of other places where the leader was supplanted without much worry. And although it's still struggling with YouTube, we can't forget that Google was the only company that had both the money and vision to acquire that site.
The key to Google's success throughout the years is two-fold: it offered superior products because it understood what customers wanted, but it also capitalized on all its competitors that failed to believe that a company with that crazy name could become a powerhouse in any market.
Oh, how wrong they were.
And now, as Android finally hits store shelves next month, companies in the cell phone industry are making the same mistake. Microsoft claims it isn't worried about Android (we've been down this road before, Microsoft), Apple doesn't see it as a worry, and RIM has practically ignored it. All the while, Sergey and Larry have been forming alliances with companies that will see dozens of Android-based phones hit store shelves over the next few years.
Have any of these companies learned anything? Sure, the search and advertising business is much different that cell phone software, but Google's knowledge about what the consumer wants hasn't changed. Worse, Google's understanding of what the market needs has gotten better over time.
At this point, I don't know if Android will lead the way in the cell phone industry and I have no idea if Google will supplant Apple and the rest or face annihilation. But if I had to put money on the most likely outcome, I wouldn't bet against Google. The company has been right too many times to bet against it.
Apple, RIM, Microsoft, and the rest need to wake up and realize that the G1's success isn't indicative of the future success of Google in the cell phone industry. Android is.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
So called Reality Talent Shows
Now a days there are lots of so called reality/ Talent TV shows, but they are also for the rich and able people. People from across country come and participate, they persuade people to send SMS for them and all that stuff.
One of my friend came across one of the couple who were singing in Local trains in Kolkata. The guy was singing beautifully but not much of recognition. He shared this video with me and I was forced to publish it.
Do watch the video..its awesome
I would be happy to see these guys competing in all these shows, so that real talent comes out.
One of my friend came across one of the couple who were singing in Local trains in Kolkata. The guy was singing beautifully but not much of recognition. He shared this video with me and I was forced to publish it.
Do watch the video..its awesome
I would be happy to see these guys competing in all these shows, so that real talent comes out.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Mumbai Mere Jaan
Just watched the movie "Mumbai Mere Jaan ". A really mind boggling story. It shows the face of media towards an incident, of a family towards someone they lost, of a person who just had a close shave with death, of a police constable who realised that he had done nothing in his whole service, of a marriage that never happened, of a young Indian who loves his country and thinks about improving that, of a struggling businessman who has got some inhibitions related to religion.
I had been to that place few a times when it was known as Bombay and also when it is known as Mumbai. There was no visible change in the place, people and city.
The way the incident of city has been depicted in the movie can disturb you if you are afraid to see blood, injured people, bodies etc..but think about the Mumbaikars who witnessed the blasts which shattered the local trains, felt the pain of the injured, mourned for those who died and still they are moving on.
What can be attained by killing innocent people is far far beyond my thinking levels. I wonder how can anyone be so cruel to kill so many people without knowing them.
The way to fight terror is not what Uncle Sam is doing by bombing another country of hanging an old dictator, but is by coming together ignoring race, religion, caste and colour.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Looks are always deceptive....
Looks..
A very critical term...
For most of the people looks decides what's good, bad and ugly. And that not only limited to girls, but its valid for your clothes, cars and even companies...
u go by looks and you are screwed
It can never assure you of the quality of person or the commodity. But ironically it also acts as the first level of filtering criteria.
what can be done :(
A very critical term...
For most of the people looks decides what's good, bad and ugly. And that not only limited to girls, but its valid for your clothes, cars and even companies...
u go by looks and you are screwed
It can never assure you of the quality of person or the commodity. But ironically it also acts as the first level of filtering criteria.
what can be done :(
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Traveling with Indian Railways....
This was not the first time I was traveling with Indian railways. But this recent trip of mine inspired me to write something about Indian Railways.
I have memories of Indian railways ever since I remember about myself. The trips were mostly to and fro to my hometown during summer vacations. That used to be a yearly rendezvous with a predefined set of excitement associated with that. Going to station was more than a personal affair. Normally I remember 2 or more families planning together to go for a vacation. All of the families were having a common route (Mumbai Varanasi route).
Ticket booking was a great job. Plan for a days’ off from work. Go to the railway station and wait for the booking clerk to appear on his desk. After all this he’ll give you a reservation if he is in good mood, or else you have to request ‘Bada Baabu’ for his favor. You can get this favor if you are either happy to donate or influential.
I remember jam-packed railway bogies with no water, sometimes even with no electricity. Running at each station to get some drinking water. People were very lucky, if they get something at stations to eat. Guys all this was Indian railways two and half decades back. No wonder very few cool guys of this generation will believe this.
Still I used to enjoy all that mess-ups. People used to travel happily with each other. Always ready to help.
Now come present age
You can book a ticket from within comforts of your home. Sitting in front of your computer , booking a ticket seems a kids job.
Yet people have become so selfish and mean that once they book ticket, they think the train is owned by them. People will never care about the co-passengers, they will sing, eat, drink, spit, create a complete mess of the place just because they had paid few rupees in the name of booking the berths. And yes I am not talking about the general traveling class, I am here referring to the so call elite class people traveling in air conditioned coaches. They are one of the most irritating people I had ever faced while traveling.
Early in the morning for their pooja and worship they have freedom to sing aloud to the top of their voices bhajans and aartis without caring for the comfort of co- passengers. This is repeated again in the evening without fail.
Since they got up early in the morning for the pooja, they need to sleep again during daytime and you have to allow them to sleep irrespective of what berth you have.
I wonder about the appetite of few people. How much is enough for a normal human being. They have really got a central processing unit called stomach that needs to be fed all the time. They keep on chewing, drinking and eating as long as they are awake. And that continuous feeding includes soft drinks, poories, namkeens, mangoes (seasonal available fruits), chaats apart from tea, coffee and soups.
It will be helpful if all the traveling people think about the comforts of co-passengers once before starting/performing any of their rituals or activities and that will surely make the Railways travel a memorable one for everyone.
I have memories of Indian railways ever since I remember about myself. The trips were mostly to and fro to my hometown during summer vacations. That used to be a yearly rendezvous with a predefined set of excitement associated with that. Going to station was more than a personal affair. Normally I remember 2 or more families planning together to go for a vacation. All of the families were having a common route (Mumbai Varanasi route).
Ticket booking was a great job. Plan for a days’ off from work. Go to the railway station and wait for the booking clerk to appear on his desk. After all this he’ll give you a reservation if he is in good mood, or else you have to request ‘Bada Baabu’ for his favor. You can get this favor if you are either happy to donate or influential.
I remember jam-packed railway bogies with no water, sometimes even with no electricity. Running at each station to get some drinking water. People were very lucky, if they get something at stations to eat. Guys all this was Indian railways two and half decades back. No wonder very few cool guys of this generation will believe this.
Still I used to enjoy all that mess-ups. People used to travel happily with each other. Always ready to help.
Now come present age
You can book a ticket from within comforts of your home. Sitting in front of your computer , booking a ticket seems a kids job.
Yet people have become so selfish and mean that once they book ticket, they think the train is owned by them. People will never care about the co-passengers, they will sing, eat, drink, spit, create a complete mess of the place just because they had paid few rupees in the name of booking the berths. And yes I am not talking about the general traveling class, I am here referring to the so call elite class people traveling in air conditioned coaches. They are one of the most irritating people I had ever faced while traveling.
Early in the morning for their pooja and worship they have freedom to sing aloud to the top of their voices bhajans and aartis without caring for the comfort of co- passengers. This is repeated again in the evening without fail.
Since they got up early in the morning for the pooja, they need to sleep again during daytime and you have to allow them to sleep irrespective of what berth you have.
I wonder about the appetite of few people. How much is enough for a normal human being. They have really got a central processing unit called stomach that needs to be fed all the time. They keep on chewing, drinking and eating as long as they are awake. And that continuous feeding includes soft drinks, poories, namkeens, mangoes (seasonal available fruits), chaats apart from tea, coffee and soups.
It will be helpful if all the traveling people think about the comforts of co-passengers once before starting/performing any of their rituals or activities and that will surely make the Railways travel a memorable one for everyone.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Really funny..or serious I don't know
I had been staying in this city for over a period of seven months now. When I left Bangalore to come here, I told to myself, I'll love to come back to Bangalore , given a chance to come.
But after staying here for this period, I don't think I'll be able to say the same for this city. I am forced to say that. There are few reasons for this statement of mine.
1)I had been a regular visitor to a very good restaurant during my stay here, but some thing happened this weekend and I am forced to remove its name from my favourite list. I went there after a very long day at office with my best friend for a dinner. I was told there is no space there and I have to wait for around 20 minutes to get a place. I was waiting, but then I saw something that I never liked. Two guys walked in and the restaurant manager gave them the place to enjoy. I stood there waiting.
Minutes later, a family of three came and they were also given place. I was thinking as if I was not going to pay, so there was no place for me.
My friend asked me to leave immediately and we left. Although I'll miss the place but I am sure, I will never go back there. Why do people here think that all bachelors are not worth respect even at restaurants. This never happened to me at any other city.
I believe as long as I am paying money I should get respect, at least the restaurants should use FIFS (First In First Served). I am amazed....
2) I am also amazed my the way people live here. They are far more than busy in themselves. They really didn't care for anything else. You must try to look out for a dustbin on the street shops. Seems looking for a dustbin is a crime :). People are happy to loiter here and there.
3) come rains and the city will be flooded. What I heard that it happens every year, yet its still there, no corrections or rectifications. Great!!
Although I'll be missing the beauties around here, but still I don't want to come back to this place.
But after staying here for this period, I don't think I'll be able to say the same for this city. I am forced to say that. There are few reasons for this statement of mine.
1)I had been a regular visitor to a very good restaurant during my stay here, but some thing happened this weekend and I am forced to remove its name from my favourite list. I went there after a very long day at office with my best friend for a dinner. I was told there is no space there and I have to wait for around 20 minutes to get a place. I was waiting, but then I saw something that I never liked. Two guys walked in and the restaurant manager gave them the place to enjoy. I stood there waiting.
Minutes later, a family of three came and they were also given place. I was thinking as if I was not going to pay, so there was no place for me.
My friend asked me to leave immediately and we left. Although I'll miss the place but I am sure, I will never go back there. Why do people here think that all bachelors are not worth respect even at restaurants. This never happened to me at any other city.
I believe as long as I am paying money I should get respect, at least the restaurants should use FIFS (First In First Served). I am amazed....
2) I am also amazed my the way people live here. They are far more than busy in themselves. They really didn't care for anything else. You must try to look out for a dustbin on the street shops. Seems looking for a dustbin is a crime :). People are happy to loiter here and there.
3) come rains and the city will be flooded. What I heard that it happens every year, yet its still there, no corrections or rectifications. Great!!
Although I'll be missing the beauties around here, but still I don't want to come back to this place.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Live Life King size....
Life isn't about keeping score. It's not about how many friends you have Or how accepted you are. Not about if you have plans this weekend or if you're alone.
It isn't about who you're dating, who you used to date, how many people you've dated, or if you haven't been with anyone at all.
It isn't about who your family is or how much money they have, Or what kind of car you drive.
It's not about how beautiful or ugly you are. Or what clothes you wear, what shoes you have, Or what kind of music you listen to.
It's not about if your hair is blonde, red, black, or brown, Or if your skin is too light or too dark. Not about what grades you get how smart you are, how smart everybody else thinks you are, or how smart standardized tests say you are.
It's not about what clubs you're in or how good you are at "your" sport. It's not about representing your whole being on a piece of paper and seeing who will "accept the written you."
Life just isn't.
So Live Life King size
It isn't about who you're dating, who you used to date, how many people you've dated, or if you haven't been with anyone at all.
It isn't about who your family is or how much money they have, Or what kind of car you drive.
It's not about how beautiful or ugly you are. Or what clothes you wear, what shoes you have, Or what kind of music you listen to.
It's not about if your hair is blonde, red, black, or brown, Or if your skin is too light or too dark. Not about what grades you get how smart you are, how smart everybody else thinks you are, or how smart standardized tests say you are.
It's not about what clubs you're in or how good you are at "your" sport. It's not about representing your whole being on a piece of paper and seeing who will "accept the written you."
Life just isn't.
So Live Life King size
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Do IT companies recruit techies for fun??
The recent moves by a few IT firms retrenching their employees have once again triggered the question on the relevance of trade unions for IT/ITeS staff in India.
Though such moves to sack alleged "non-performers" based on internal appraisals are normal practice, there are voices that hint at the need for unity among IT employees.
The unity among IT employees is almost non-existent now. An exception may be a rare procession taken out by techies in Bangalore when tragedy struck one among them, like in the Pratibha Srikanth Murthy murder case.
However, such unity – though in small measures – is short-lived. Following Pratibha's murder, IT professionals staged a protest before the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Bangalore – a favorite and convenient place for protesters of almost all hues. Not much development followed such protests.
Incidentally, in West Bengal, an Information Technology Services Association (WBITSA) was formed in 2006, under the auspices of the Center of India Trade Unions. It lost steam in the initial days itself and is now confined to call centers.
When the WBITSA was formed, the pros and cons of trade unions in IT sector were widely discussed, with most of the firms in the industry taking a firm stand against such unions.
With IBM, TCS and Yahoo booting out employees reportedly terming them as non-performers, the question whether trade unions are necessary in the IT sector is gaining currency.
IT firms sacking employees is not just a concern of an individual or those who were asked to leave.
"No one is bothered about the repercussions it has over an employee, the kind of stress and frustration, his financial commitments and its effect on family,"
"There is a need for the employees to be treated humanely."
What is amazing that even as employees are asked to leave, job advertisements by the same companies could be seen.
"Why recruit and waste money on new employees, rather than training the old ones. Further, when they recruit they follow their rules and regulations. Do they recruit for fun?"
A leading financial daily on Friday reported that Yahoo, which fired at least 40 of its staff in Bangalore, "insists that it's continuing to hire at least 60-80 people a month. And outside the US, Bangalore is its most significant location."
"Companies always fail to understand. It will be like a sabzi mandi out there; companies negotiating the salaries of the employees with pink slip stamp on their resumes. Employees find it hard to find another job. This we have seen happening. It is just like political horse-trading; its just another kind of horse-trading in IT companies."
So the companies should rethink their recruitment policies, that may end up all this sacking in future.
Though such moves to sack alleged "non-performers" based on internal appraisals are normal practice, there are voices that hint at the need for unity among IT employees.
The unity among IT employees is almost non-existent now. An exception may be a rare procession taken out by techies in Bangalore when tragedy struck one among them, like in the Pratibha Srikanth Murthy murder case.
However, such unity – though in small measures – is short-lived. Following Pratibha's murder, IT professionals staged a protest before the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Bangalore – a favorite and convenient place for protesters of almost all hues. Not much development followed such protests.
Incidentally, in West Bengal, an Information Technology Services Association (WBITSA) was formed in 2006, under the auspices of the Center of India Trade Unions. It lost steam in the initial days itself and is now confined to call centers.
When the WBITSA was formed, the pros and cons of trade unions in IT sector were widely discussed, with most of the firms in the industry taking a firm stand against such unions.
With IBM, TCS and Yahoo booting out employees reportedly terming them as non-performers, the question whether trade unions are necessary in the IT sector is gaining currency.
IT firms sacking employees is not just a concern of an individual or those who were asked to leave.
"No one is bothered about the repercussions it has over an employee, the kind of stress and frustration, his financial commitments and its effect on family,"
"There is a need for the employees to be treated humanely."
What is amazing that even as employees are asked to leave, job advertisements by the same companies could be seen.
"Why recruit and waste money on new employees, rather than training the old ones. Further, when they recruit they follow their rules and regulations. Do they recruit for fun?"
A leading financial daily on Friday reported that Yahoo, which fired at least 40 of its staff in Bangalore, "insists that it's continuing to hire at least 60-80 people a month. And outside the US, Bangalore is its most significant location."
"Companies always fail to understand. It will be like a sabzi mandi out there; companies negotiating the salaries of the employees with pink slip stamp on their resumes. Employees find it hard to find another job. This we have seen happening. It is just like political horse-trading; its just another kind of horse-trading in IT companies."
So the companies should rethink their recruitment policies, that may end up all this sacking in future.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Consultant's Love Life ..excellent one..
One of the interesting high end analysis I came across....
So thought I should share with you all friends with due regards to the original creator of this...
I liked this one most :)
Source: The Boston Consulting Group!! (Good job done chaps)
So thought I should share with you all friends with due regards to the original creator of this...
I liked this one most :)
Source: The Boston Consulting Group!! (Good job done chaps)
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Target north Indians!
While news keeps on pouring in about migrants from UP and Bihar continue to be targeted in the country's financial capital one more gentleman in the national capital, the Delhi Lieutenant-Governor says North Indians, by their very nature, are lawless. (as if he is a British national, this guy is known for his talent of giving baseless comments like “everyone in Delhi needs an ID card ”)
While in Mumbai, the North Indians are being accused of taking away jobs, making the lives of locals tough and creating a chaos through their lawless behavior. I raise a question that if so called locals is not capable of qualifying for the local jobs, what are they really worth of??
Yesterday there was a discussion going on CNN-IBN's prime-time program “Face the Nation”, the participants included former cricketer-turned-politician Kirti Azad, young Shiv Sena MP Rahul Narvekar, Tripti Shakya, a popular Bhojpuri singer in UP and well-known sociologist Radhika Chopra. The person in center of all this was Raj Thackeray, the chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, who has been blamed for the current bout of turmoil in Mumbai. It was Raj Thackeray who had first kicked off the Maharashtiran-vs-outsider debate when he took on Amitabh Bachchan, questioning what the Big B has done for the welfare of Maharashtra.
Though initially the MNS chief had remained silent, but on Friday, he finally spoke out, alleging that he has been targeted by the political parties and the media. In an article with local daily Maharashtra Times, Raj Thackeray has raised a few questions:
1. The Prime Minister asked the French Government to allow Sikh students to wear turbans in schools. Yet why he was not called a communal leader?
2. Most political parties in Tamil Nadu have links with the LTTE which killed Rajiv Gandhi, yet why they are not called parochial?"
3. Targeting Amitabh Bachchan, Raj Thackeray says "Amitabh Bachchan calls himself 'Chhora Ganga kinarewala', yet media does not call him a 'regionalist'.
4. The Communists in Bengal launched an agitation when Sourav Ganguly was dropped from the Indian cricket team, yet they are supposed to be liberal and secular," he pointed out.
"Why am I the only one targeted by the media and political parties when I talk of Maharashtra's interest?" the MSN chief asks.
He forgets that they Amitabh calls himself “'Chhora Ganga kinarewala” but he never says that throw out other migrants from UP. Bengalis agitate for Sourav Ganguly, but they never ask Punjabis to leave West Bengal (because of Yuvraj being selected in Indian team). He will not be targeted if he is talking on Maharshtra’s interest, he is being targeted because he is talking about his interested by trying to take political mileage out of all this good for nothing issue.
Most amazingly, but he only targets the north Indians alone. Why he is not concerned about targeting the Gujrati community who are the major part of Dalal Street, the south Indians holding major administrative posts in government and IT companies or Bengalis who are there in Mumbai for long? The reason behind it is, only norths Indians over there are the people working on the streets, trying hard to survive. They are the people belonging to the lower section of society and he thinks they can be targeted easily.
One thing should be noted that the north Indians are facing such a situation in the country when they are the largest linguistic group, when one in every three Parliamentarians hail from the so-called Hindi heartland (I am unable to understand why they are not reacting to this and allowing all this happen) and when the population of just two states - UP and Bihar - is greater than the combined population of all four south Indian states.
As Azad disagrees with the assumption that there is something wrong with the civil society in the Hindi heartland. "There is nothing wrong with the society. People from eastern UP and Bihar are not only all over India, you will find them across the world. You have Prime Ministers in Mauritius, you will find them in Surinam and various other places. They are very adventurous. They go there to earn their living and they want to have respect," he points out.
Shiv Sena MP Rahul Narvekar says the Sena distinguishes between linguistic discrimination and the fact that a migrant population comes in and puts pressure on the city's infrastructure. But I think he doesn’t tries to visualize that what will be the state of Maharashtra if all of sudden all the migrants leave the state and similarly all Marathi migrants are asked to leave other Indian states. Will they be able to sustain and accommodate all the Marathi people coming back to Maharashtra?
This is absolutely ridiculous. Has there been any instance of a taxi driver or hawker creating a problem? There are so many IAS and IPS officers in Central Government and state governments who hail from UP and Bihar. What about them?"
Tripti Shakya who has had many performances outside UP as well, too disagrees with the suggestion that people from UP or Bihar are discourteous. When she was pointed out that a woman is generally greeted by stares in UP or Bihar when she goes to a place for the first time, Tripti says that has never been the case with her. "I have been very fortunate regarding this thing. And I have always been greeted with love and respect wherever I have gone."
What about the state of women in Mumbai ?(Remember the New Year eve incident)
The point to be noted by all of us should be we are an Indian before anything else and I request all politicians to restrain from spoiling my country just for the sake of few votes. I was born as an Indian and would like to be an Indian for my life time.
Remember these beautiful lines...
मजहब नहीं सिखाता आपस मैं बैर रखना, हिंदी हैं हम वतन है हिंदुस्तान हमारा
* With due acknowledgment to CNN-IBN
While in Mumbai, the North Indians are being accused of taking away jobs, making the lives of locals tough and creating a chaos through their lawless behavior. I raise a question that if so called locals is not capable of qualifying for the local jobs, what are they really worth of??
Yesterday there was a discussion going on CNN-IBN's prime-time program “Face the Nation”, the participants included former cricketer-turned-politician Kirti Azad, young Shiv Sena MP Rahul Narvekar, Tripti Shakya, a popular Bhojpuri singer in UP and well-known sociologist Radhika Chopra. The person in center of all this was Raj Thackeray, the chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, who has been blamed for the current bout of turmoil in Mumbai. It was Raj Thackeray who had first kicked off the Maharashtiran-vs-outsider debate when he took on Amitabh Bachchan, questioning what the Big B has done for the welfare of Maharashtra.
Though initially the MNS chief had remained silent, but on Friday, he finally spoke out, alleging that he has been targeted by the political parties and the media. In an article with local daily Maharashtra Times, Raj Thackeray has raised a few questions:
1. The Prime Minister asked the French Government to allow Sikh students to wear turbans in schools. Yet why he was not called a communal leader?
2. Most political parties in Tamil Nadu have links with the LTTE which killed Rajiv Gandhi, yet why they are not called parochial?"
3. Targeting Amitabh Bachchan, Raj Thackeray says "Amitabh Bachchan calls himself 'Chhora Ganga kinarewala', yet media does not call him a 'regionalist'.
4. The Communists in Bengal launched an agitation when Sourav Ganguly was dropped from the Indian cricket team, yet they are supposed to be liberal and secular," he pointed out.
"Why am I the only one targeted by the media and political parties when I talk of Maharashtra's interest?" the MSN chief asks.
He forgets that they Amitabh calls himself “'Chhora Ganga kinarewala” but he never says that throw out other migrants from UP. Bengalis agitate for Sourav Ganguly, but they never ask Punjabis to leave West Bengal (because of Yuvraj being selected in Indian team). He will not be targeted if he is talking on Maharshtra’s interest, he is being targeted because he is talking about his interested by trying to take political mileage out of all this good for nothing issue.
Most amazingly, but he only targets the north Indians alone. Why he is not concerned about targeting the Gujrati community who are the major part of Dalal Street, the south Indians holding major administrative posts in government and IT companies or Bengalis who are there in Mumbai for long? The reason behind it is, only norths Indians over there are the people working on the streets, trying hard to survive. They are the people belonging to the lower section of society and he thinks they can be targeted easily.
One thing should be noted that the north Indians are facing such a situation in the country when they are the largest linguistic group, when one in every three Parliamentarians hail from the so-called Hindi heartland (I am unable to understand why they are not reacting to this and allowing all this happen) and when the population of just two states - UP and Bihar - is greater than the combined population of all four south Indian states.
As Azad disagrees with the assumption that there is something wrong with the civil society in the Hindi heartland. "There is nothing wrong with the society. People from eastern UP and Bihar are not only all over India, you will find them across the world. You have Prime Ministers in Mauritius, you will find them in Surinam and various other places. They are very adventurous. They go there to earn their living and they want to have respect," he points out.
Shiv Sena MP Rahul Narvekar says the Sena distinguishes between linguistic discrimination and the fact that a migrant population comes in and puts pressure on the city's infrastructure. But I think he doesn’t tries to visualize that what will be the state of Maharashtra if all of sudden all the migrants leave the state and similarly all Marathi migrants are asked to leave other Indian states. Will they be able to sustain and accommodate all the Marathi people coming back to Maharashtra?
This is absolutely ridiculous. Has there been any instance of a taxi driver or hawker creating a problem? There are so many IAS and IPS officers in Central Government and state governments who hail from UP and Bihar. What about them?"
Tripti Shakya who has had many performances outside UP as well, too disagrees with the suggestion that people from UP or Bihar are discourteous. When she was pointed out that a woman is generally greeted by stares in UP or Bihar when she goes to a place for the first time, Tripti says that has never been the case with her. "I have been very fortunate regarding this thing. And I have always been greeted with love and respect wherever I have gone."
What about the state of women in Mumbai ?(Remember the New Year eve incident)
The point to be noted by all of us should be we are an Indian before anything else and I request all politicians to restrain from spoiling my country just for the sake of few votes. I was born as an Indian and would like to be an Indian for my life time.
Remember these beautiful lines...
मजहब नहीं सिखाता आपस मैं बैर रखना, हिंदी हैं हम वतन है हिंदुस्तान हमारा
* With due acknowledgment to CNN-IBN
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Where are we headed now......??
Today's headlines on all news channels:-
Two girls molested by a group of drunk guys in front of a five star hotel at Mumbai and no case registered. (The HT reporter who covered this incident was busy in taking on the spot snaps, although later he spotted a police petroling vehicle and alerted. Wasn't he supposed to call the police and then take the snaps?)
Yesterday's headlines:-
Drunk speedster killing people on new year eve in Delhi and Mumbai.
Headlines a week ago:-
Benazir Bhutto assassinated, killed or died, still a dispute. Pakistan Govt. changing their statements like we used to do in our schooldays (give any excuse for coming late to scholl, although none of them sounded valid). All Indian leaders praising Benazir after her death. The same leaders who used to say that she is root cause of so many Indo-Pak related issues.
I am reading two books by Mark Tully (formar BBC correspondent for south east Asia) " India's Unending Journey: Finding Balance in a Time of Change" and "India In Slow Motion". After trying to visualise what Mark has seen in India and what are we now, I am very much confused. On one hand a British national who came to India, experince it and now staying in India. Mark has explained the country as if he is born in this country and he is writing something about his homeland. And on the other hand we people, born and bought up over here and still unable to understand our own country.
I am unable to understand what is happening to this Asian subcontinent. What are we trying to imitate. The great US culture by celebrating new year like this or to show that we are now a free and economically independet country that can kill, molest people in the name of new year celeberations and feel proud of it.
That way I think US people are far better as they don't try to imitate anyone and never boast of their moral vales.
I suggest you go through "India's Unending Journey: Finding Balance in a Time of Change" and "India In Slow Motion "by Mark Tully
Two girls molested by a group of drunk guys in front of a five star hotel at Mumbai and no case registered. (The HT reporter who covered this incident was busy in taking on the spot snaps, although later he spotted a police petroling vehicle and alerted. Wasn't he supposed to call the police and then take the snaps?)
Yesterday's headlines:-
Drunk speedster killing people on new year eve in Delhi and Mumbai.
Headlines a week ago:-
Benazir Bhutto assassinated, killed or died, still a dispute. Pakistan Govt. changing their statements like we used to do in our schooldays (give any excuse for coming late to scholl, although none of them sounded valid). All Indian leaders praising Benazir after her death. The same leaders who used to say that she is root cause of so many Indo-Pak related issues.
I am reading two books by Mark Tully (formar BBC correspondent for south east Asia) " India's Unending Journey: Finding Balance in a Time of Change" and "India In Slow Motion". After trying to visualise what Mark has seen in India and what are we now, I am very much confused. On one hand a British national who came to India, experince it and now staying in India. Mark has explained the country as if he is born in this country and he is writing something about his homeland. And on the other hand we people, born and bought up over here and still unable to understand our own country.
I am unable to understand what is happening to this Asian subcontinent. What are we trying to imitate. The great US culture by celebrating new year like this or to show that we are now a free and economically independet country that can kill, molest people in the name of new year celeberations and feel proud of it.
That way I think US people are far better as they don't try to imitate anyone and never boast of their moral vales.
I suggest you go through "India's Unending Journey: Finding Balance in a Time of Change" and "India In Slow Motion "by Mark Tully
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