The Invincible Territory

Millenium City ,Gurgaon - baffles me

2011-01-15T00:18:00.000+05:30

Gurgaon is dubbed as 'Millenium City' - reason being it represents India of new millenium. I have been in Gurgaon for last few weeks and experienced the 'Millenium City' first hand. The growth visible in Gurgaon is appreciable on one front - top notch corporate companies are here and dozen more come here by day.However what is disappointing to see is the overall state of affairs in Gurgaon. There is hardly any public transport,chaotic urbanization and a shroud of dust that engulfs Gurgaon.

In my opinion Gurgaon represents quintessential India -growth without proper planning. The paradoxical combination of the shining facade and the cloud of dust would amaze you beyond expectation.However Delhi Metro presents an entirely different picture of successful urban infrastructure projects in India. The Metro is already full to the brims and it is a gratifying feeling to see the look of pride and comfort on common man's face traveling in the Metro. India desperately needs more Sreedharans and Sheila Dikshits to handle the menace of chaotic urbanization and to channelize the energy of its youth.

Auto rickshaws - bane of the traffic on urban Indian roads

2011-01-15T00:17:00.001+05:30

Driving on the Indian roads isn't for the faint hearted - guess it's a known thing but if you analyze closely,the worst offenders of traffic rules are the auto rickshaw drivers. They seem to operate with complete impunity and brazenness. Making stops anywhere and everywhere is not an exception rather a norm for the auto-rickshaw drivers.The drivers ain't well-behaved either.The burly buses aid to the chaos on the road.There need to be stricter regulations as far as the day to day operations of auto-rickshaws is concerned.

Incidentally I found an innovation borne out of the vacuum created by auto rickshaw drivers in Gurgaon, it is called Radio TukTuk . It's the radio taxi equivalent for tuktuk or auto-rickshaw. I used there services couple of times and I must say it offers a refreshing change from regular auto-rickshaw. Can more services like Radio TukTuk show the way to regulate the obnoxious problems caused by auto-rickshaws ?

India @ 64

2010-11-17T17:30:00.000+05:30

I have been thinking about this for sometime;where does India stand in her 64th year of post independence period. Prima-facie India is on a roll with a fast growing economy, increasing global influence and the stupendous rise of the middle class. I personally consider this as a re-emergence of India. Going by what Angus Madison, famous economic historian, mentioned that India and China were around one-third each of world GDP until 1700s, what we see now is the re-emergence of the same situation. Both these countries have the right ingredients namely big populations, huge natural resources & long continued civilizations to make it where they were in the past.

The biggest amazement for me however is the political experiment that India is. With hundreds of languages and sub-cultures, the idea of democracy in India post independence was an experiment. Today India is more unified than ever in the last two millenia in all senses. The biggest indicator of this is the emergence of a pan-Indian culture. Liberlisation of the economy,Cricket & Bollywood have acted as social lubricants for this phenomenon. One can often hear Bollywood songs in a wedding in Bangalore now and Idli is one of the most popular breakfasts in New Delhi now. Dhoni is the captain of Chennai Super Kings and Ramoji Film Studio in Hyderabad hosts maximum number of Bollywood movies for shooting.

India however faces a lot of challenges. It is in a difficult neighbourhood and has quarter of its population below poverty line. Decision making is still subjected to political expediency and a unified vision for the country is still elusive. Caste system is an antiquated social structure whose grip has be loosened as early as possible.

I am certainly hopeful about India's future because she has come off well despite many challenges.Democratic set up provides the right setup to manage the so very diverse country.With her growing role India also has to take bigger responsibilities at the domestic and international fronts.

Scope of things in life...

2009-12-11T03:20:00.000+05:30

I often notice most of us create our own mini-world comprising of family,friends and acquaintances and jostle to stay ahead in this 'self-created world'. I asked myself the question why most of us do this and the answer I got was that instinctively most of us are paranoid and this paranoia drives us in creating and then pushing to get ahead in our own worlds.

If one tries to see things in larger scope of things, does it matter where you are compared to people in your own world? There would always be people who would leave you desired to be them.I feel if one can ask herself the question what do I want and am I doing the right things to get what I want,life would be simpler :))

An inner conflict is raging in me.

2009-11-14T19:00:00.000+05:30

Over last few months I have been noticing an inner conflict raging within me. I realised how much more I have evolve in terms of appreciating others' sensibilties.Its not that I don't try my best but I still fall short of my own expectations.

Am I being unrealisitic or I need more conscious effort is the raging conflict within me?

Settling in a new country makes me feel like a kid again...

2009-10-20T16:08:00.001+05:30

Settling in a new country makes me as curious as a kid. It is good to observe things around you and make sense. I have never lived in the West before so it is a virgin experience for me.

Enjoying it to the hilt ... C'est la vie...

How much is just enough?

2009-10-11T17:11:00.001+05:30

I often wonder how much is just enough. I believe realms of articles have been written on this but this issue still remains the biggest paradox of human civilization.

Guess it is to ask and tough to answer...

The changed world order after the financial crisis.

2009-09-27T20:04:00.001+05:30

There seems to be a clear shift in the perceived global order today.It is in line with what was predicted as the third wave of change in modern times after Renaissance and Industrial Age i.e Globalization.G-8,the so visible face of previous world order has given way for G-20 as the de facto group for world order.

I have been dormant on this blog for quite sometime.I have started my MBA at Vlerick Leuven Gent of Mgmt,Belgium this Sep.I shall try to be more regular here on.

Why Indian media is very urban centric?

2009-01-30T13:13:00.000+05:30

I have noticed, Indian media particularly electronic media is becoming very urban centric. I was amazed to see the amount of coverage given to 'Mangalore Pub Brawl' and 'Debate on Pub Culture'. These issues undoubtedly require attention, but not all the attention.We have much bigger issues to focus on.

Bursts of intolerance in India

2009-01-29T18:36:00.000+05:30

Suddenly it feels I am living in a different country than India. Almost everyday I get to read some or the other incident that shows the growing intolerance. Be it the MNS staged 'Chase Outsiders' or Sri Ram Sena's 'Pub Brawl' or moral policing lessons doled out by politicians/cops.

Somewhere I feel, this is motivated by political vendetta. Such incidents capture the imagination of a wider audience and gets all the publicity. I strongly feel all the political parties should condemn any such of infringement of personal liberty.

India has bigger issues to handle, why these retrograde steps?

Is Pakistan moving the USSR way?

2009-01-23T01:11:00.001+05:30

It seems Pakistan is going the USSR way. NWFP seems to be under the control of Taliban. It is unfortunate that Pakistani military and intelligence is in cahoots with the Taliban.Ironically Pakistani ruling elite still lives in denial and keep harping the line that Pakistan is also a victim of terror.

Balochs are waging a separate war in the West of Pakistan. It is very sad that Pakistan is unable to accept the reality and the organizations it created have turned into Frankenstein monsters.It wont be surprising if Pakistan disintegrates like the USSR.

Wheel of change moves when u try ...

2009-01-19T22:39:00.000+05:30

I always believe, be the change you want to see, at least try for it. Lately there have been few instances and I saw positive results.

I shifted my apartment few months ago. My new apartment was having poor signal of Vodafone,rather the signal played hide and seek. I literally had to use my cell as a fixed line phone because the signal was present at just one-two points.I contacted the Vodafone customer care on this issue.Customer care kept dilly-dallying,saying it was aware of the signal problem and kept giving assurances,but nothing improved. I decided to pursue it further. I got it in touch with the Nodal Officer of Karnataka circle.I stated clearly that once number portability becomes a reality, don't expect people to take this shit and for the current quality of service Vodafone could be taken to consumer court.Three months of mail exchanges and telephone conversations yielded result. Vodafone agreed to install a 'Signal Booster' at my apartment. My mobile is truly MOBILE now !!!!!

The Vodafone booster

In another instance, I had a bad experience with ICICIPru. I have a ULIP policy of ICICIPru. On my policy anniversary I made few changes in the policy. After the changes were effected, my policy went for a toss.My policy started showing half the units than I had before the anniversary.I took this matter to the customer care. It was a harrowing experience, I had to explain the issue to customer care executive in complete detail every time and with no result.I gave up on customer care, took up the matter with local branch. It also turned out to be just the elder brother of the customer care. I decided to take this to the highest level. I contacted the Executive VP, Customer Services with all the details and my long story with a question why should I not take the matter to IRDA and sue ICICIPru.It took 3 long months of mail exchanges and telephone calls to yield result. Finally the issue was corrected with effect from retrospective. ICICIPru also gave me a compensation as a goodwill gesture!!!!

I certainly believe at least one should try to be the change, results would definitely follow :)

The potent tool in democracy called :RTI

2008-07-03T11:44:00.001+05:30

In my belief Right to Information(RTI), is the most potent tool available at the disposal of the citizens of India.This act allows any citizen to get information on proceedings/rulings/actions from most of the government departments. The process to file a petition is very simple.

Every dept be it Local/State/Central has a PIO(Public Information Officer). The application for Local/State dept has to be filed with the PIO office. For the Central dept the petition can be filed in the post office. The charge for the petition is Rs 10.

I am attaching a sample RTI petition for reference:-

Also refer :-
http://www.parivartan.com
http://www.righttoinformation.org/

Kashmir - What is @stake?

2008-06-30T11:50:00.000+05:30

Kashmir,for the last few weeks has been hogging a lot of limelight for reasons apparent and not so apparent. Immediate provocation came from the allotment of land to 'Amarnath Shrine Board '. The separatist parties raised a lot of hue and cry branding it as govt's conspiracy to settle outsiders in the Kashmir Valley.Claims were made stating 'Kashmiriyat' was at stake because of this land allotment.Eventually the govt revoked the order buckling under the pressure.

It got me thinking what exactly is 'Kashmiriyat'? Is it the unique Muslim-Hindu bonhomie practised in Kashmir? The fundamental question is does this bonhomie exist,otherwise why were 350000 Kashmiri Pandits forced to leave Kashmir Valley?

Recently Santosh Trophy football match was organized in Kashmir, during the match when Punjab shot a goal against J&K, a huge uproar starred ,hurling anti-India slogans and eventually the match was stopped because of security concerns.

It is high time we raise questions on policies related to Kashmir.Has the article 370 served it's purpose? What good our billions of dollars spent in Kashmir is bringing? All the stakeholders including govt should sit together to assess the situation realistically in Kashmir and revise policies accordingly.

The Miss Call phenonmenon ;)

2008-06-29T12:56:00.000+05:30

Have you wondered how diligently people use 'Miss Call' service to get things done? I overheard a guy in a provision store telling somebody on his phone to give a 'Miss Call' when he reaches home.I was amused on this statement not because it was funny but a new way of life which modern society has adopted so nicely.

I did some research on 'Miss Call' , I discovered this thing causes network operators quite something.When a miss call is made, network bandwidth is used, so an operator has expenses involved.Take a guess, which country has maximum 'Miss Call' usage, it is INDIA!!!!!!

Although call rates are becoming cheaper by day, people will find more things to get done through 'Miss Call' rather than 'Actual Call' ;)

How are social networking sites influencing the society today ?

2008-06-23T10:37:00.000+05:30

Lately social networking sites have caught up in a big way. To name a few,Orkut, Facebook,MySpace are the dominant players.The visible effect is that one can be so conveniently connected to friends, acquaints through these sites.People discovered their long lost contacts through these sites. Even new friendships/alliances are forged through these sites. I have acquainted quite a few B-school grads of the schools about which I needed info.People find their potential room mates for universities through these groups.I know couple of friends in my circle who met their partners on these sites:). With growing user base, these sites are used to advertise products and find suitable candidates for a job.

Taking the online social networking further there are niche online networking areas like professional networking, dating sites, various interest groups networking sites. The world is leveraging the power of internet in the best possible way :)

What have been your experiences in this journey of NO online social networking to full throttle online networking?

I gave ride to a traffic cop ;)

2008-06-23T10:35:00.000+05:30

Couple of days ago,while I was on my way to office,at a junction a traffic cop signaled me to stop.My heart skipped a beat, because my motor insurance had expired a week ago and the day before I had paid fine for jumping traffic signal.The cop asked me, where are you going ,sir? I told him where was I heading. He asked me can I give him a ride till that place. I nodded with an apprehension.

All the while we were on the bike, I was having weird thoughts. Would this guy ask me for bike's papers after he gets down or may be some other thing? Strangely I got reminded of Manoj N.Shyamlan then, having seen his interview few nights ago.I started wondering what would Mr. Shyamlan think in this situation, script of another super natural psycho thriller. The ten minutes ride felt like a very long one ;)

Have you encountered any situation like this?

What it takes to be a secular in INDIA?

2008-05-29T19:50:00.001+05:30

This phenomenon has continuously intrigued me since I have become politically cognizant. Who defines who is secular and who is communal in India? At least for the present I understand that anybody talking for 'a particular minority group' is labeled secular and anybody talking about 'the majority group' is right away branded communal.

I never understood , why in India the majority is forced to think that it is a second class group of people in the country. Politicians go out of way to appease the minority groups, at the cost of majority group and this never let the rift between majority and minority bridge.I doubt this prevails any where in the world.

Any opinions on this?

Indian media and its cliches and paradoxes

2008-05-17T17:10:00.000+05:30

Since the advent of 24/7 news channels in India, the electronic media space has become over crowded. The over crowding has led to a deteriorated quality of news reporting which is full of rhetorics, cliches and sensational stuff.

To begin with English news channels, although their reporting is of decent quality, but the rush to outdo other channels leads to low quality of news. Many reports,even the ghastly ones come with the 'EXCLUSIVE on this channel' tag, which is really sad to see. The repeated playing of the same news clip is very bothersome and the over emphasis on cricket is also nerve wrecking. Apart from these, the keenness to highlight trivial issues like 'SRK takes on ICC' or 'Big B takes on SRK' seems like just TRP getters.

For the regional language news channels, I can't comment on languages other than Hindi. 'Khali' has been ruling the roost these days on Hindi news channels. The summary of soaps shown in news channels is one of its kind in the world. These news channel even don't hesitate to propagate superstitions by various propaganda.Probably their reporting is a wholesome entertainment :)

Sometimes it's sad to see the affairs of news channels in India. News channels could initiate a meaningful dialog on so many issues.I don't deny the need to generate TRP for survival, but the basic idea of news reporting should not be hijacked.

Amusing placements of Google Ads...

2008-05-17T16:54:00.000+05:30

Lately I have observed, on most of the websites there are Google sponsored ads.Quite amazingly if you look into the ads, sometimes there are very funny instances.

For e.g.

Look into the attached screen shot, it's CNN-IBN's website and you can see two ads( encircled with red arrows pointing towards them) of NDTV. Do Mr Raghav Bahl/Rajdeep Sardesai know about this?

Another funny instance which I remember, was ads relating to 'Airlines' on Indian Railways website, although it's no more there.

Please look for such ads when you are visiting any website, to tickle your funny bones.

That one cup of coffee!!!!

2007-12-17T02:44:00.001+05:30

Life has been on a frantic pace lately and I am loving it to the bits. Every year gone by seems to have squeezed so much more that the previous years seem under lived. Yet, at times the pace of life takes its toll on me, and I get bogged down.

To get me out of this stupor, all I need is a cup of coffee all by myself. I talk to myself while having this coffee and this gets me back on the path with new vigor.

Kudos to the cappuccinos :)

Demystify happiness

2007-09-05T17:19:00.000+05:30

What according to you is happiness? I often wonder if people are able to decipher what is 'happiness' for them,this world would be a lot better place than what it is today -:) Though I don't claim that I know for myself what exactly makes me happy, but I am on the way to discover.

The current problems plaguing the earth are because people fail to perceive what would make them happy,rather they keep running after a mirage.On top of it we have besieged ourselves with so many artificial bindings such as religious differences,racism and hyper-materialism too name a few ,that we can't find a way out of it.

I read a very nice line " Life is too short to hold any baggage, so live it up"

What you define as happiness?

What Chinese think of foreigners?

2007-09-01T00:24:00.000+05:30

Coutesy Beijing Man.

AMERICANS
- Talkative, expressive, polite, but not truth from their heart
- Americans have good education
- Business wise Americans understand and have scale: very important
- Innovation in their products is recognized
- Chinese trust more American and European products than Japanese products, since Chinese have experienced that Japanese sold their “disqualified” products to China, while good products were sold to Europe and USA
- Chinese don’t trust Americans in a collective way because Americans are believed to want to control China. Americans are believed to have a hidden agenda for benefit of themselves
- Never Trust Americans - attitude still exists
- Their wealth and solid finance is admired

GERMANS
- Have taken their newest technology to China (Japanese never did)
- Chinese respect Germans a lot because of their serious working attitude and good quality products
- Germans are sometimes considered proud; shadow of superior history
- Germans are considered rather honest in business, but stubborn
- Germans and Chinese often speak similar way: "because..., therefore...", but often their logic differs, and conflicts arises
- Germans are known and appreciated about their beer culture

BRITISH
- U.K. is known as advanced country but not advanced in any particular field
- Chinese imagination about British is based on limited information about their movies, monarchs, and old traditions
- Chemistry is un-matching to work with Chinese
- British accent is not very much liked
- Because of English language, U.K. attracts a lot of Chinese students
- Chinese realize that U.K. has a lot of poor quality schools cheating Chinese students, there may be Chinese organizers involved in that
- British are conservative and old fashioned
- Chinese believe British are gentlemen. After Chinese have contacts with British working people, the image of their gentlemaness disappears
- Need "icebreakers" to enable China business

FRENCH
- Very romantic!
- French has culture strength itself and that gives the French ability to understand Chinese culture
- French can adapt to Chinese business environment in good and bad, and are believed to easily catch-up its negative features (bribing?)
- Chinese know that French are not very exact, like f.ex. Germans
- Design and fashion are known strong points
- French and Chinese have common approach against content from USA
- They finally must decide: to learn English or Mandarin, otherwise they might stay hungry even at a Beijing McDonalds:)

JAPANESE
- More artificial in behavior
- Japanese don’t trust Chinese
- Japanese keep control in business, no future for Chinese in Japanese companies
- Japanese look down on Chinese, seeing China as market for second quality products
- Japan’s business with China is large because of their large investments
- Japanese are not innovative or creative
- Lack individualism, instead have collectivism
- Chinese recognize that Japanese with serious attitude can do refined products and results
- Japanese are workaholics, with all respect!
- Japanese have advantage in learning Chinese language because of similar writing
- Japanese are unconfident when in front of westeners
- Chinese feel unforgivenable towards Japanese unhuman behavior during their occupation of China
- Chinese attitudes towards Japanese are influenced by the fact that sincere confess not been done

RUSSIANS
- Soviet Union used to be “big brother” of China, had similar system. Chinese can understand Russia’s difficult situation but feel themselves lucky to have done reform earlier and are now a few steps further economically
- Elder Chinese people still have feelings about Russian culture in 50s
- There are many Chinese who have learnt Russian language
- New generation of Chinese don’t care about Russians, seeing them economically behind
- Some Russians work at China’s service business: physical outlook
- Beijing has Russian blocks but its reputation is “no-dignity”
- China and Russia has deep roots of barter trade: payments in consumer goods

INDIANS
- Because of general situation in India, huge amount of Indian poverty makes Chinese feel that India is behind in many ways
- Because of religions, India is not as "integrated" as China
- That is why Indians are sometimes looked down and not taken seriously
- Indians have convenience in co-operating with Western countries because of their English language capabilities
- India is further ahead of China in software development
- Materialistically India is backwarded
- Chinese don’t feel any kind of hatred towards Indians
- Indians are natural-born competitors for China
- Indians might be cunning and not-trustworthy in business

AFRICANS
- Overall felt to be backwarded and uncivilized
- There is a little racism inside common, non-educated Chinese against the black people. Those Chinese who have been in touch with better educated black people from U.S. and other developed countries, accept them better

What Chinese think of themselves?

2007-09-01T00:15:00.000+05:30

Coutesy Beijing Man.

1. CHINESE HAVE BIG COUNTRY'S PROUDNESS
China has scale, size and big numbers which give Chinese unique competence.

2. CHINESE ARE SMART AND FLEXIBLE
Chinese are alert because of bathing all the time in subtle situations. This reflects Chinese indirect way of communication, which is considered smartness and art. Chinese are very competitive people.

3. CHINESE ARE NATURAL BORN OPPORTUNITY SEEKERS
This is true in life, work and business, in China and abroad.

4. CHINESE ARE PROUD OF THEIR TRADITIONAL CULTURE
Chinese culture is like a treasure box, something others don't have. But how to take best use of it? At the same time Chinese are humiliated about their contemporary history, which has created sensitivity on some (not defined) issues.

5. CHINESE ARE HARDWORKING AND WILLING TO LEARN
Chinese are familiar with strong effort and try. System limits people's performance and talents to show up in business.

6. CHINESE BELIEVE IN POWER OF GUANXI
Guanxi, relations, can be utilized in life and business, in China and globally. The level of Guanxi may vary but it works. While Guanxi is a long-term social investment, Chinese are also very short-term benefit driven.

7. CHINESE LIFE IS CONTENT
Chinese believe that life in west is simple compared to Chinese, f.ex. food culture and business culture. Because Chinese own life is stressful and not straightforward, it is sparring, coaching. Chinese learn during the change how to figure out.

8. CHINA WILL BECOME INFLUENTIAL
China's influence will be based on market economy and growth (influence was not defined). China's future is bright and Chinese know it.

Epilog
Chinese points are straight and clear! But foreigners view about Chinese might be quite different. Result reminds me about another, more recent Chinese writer, Lu Xun (1881-1936), who wrote:

Chinese never look at foreigners as equal,
either they are looked up as saints, or
looked down as brutes
Lu Xun's conclusion is still very valid. Chinese people have always felt proud of their traditional culture which encourages Chinese to be humble. In China humbleness is considered as a virtue.

TRANSITION towards market economy has changed Chinese people.

Many Chinese have learned to show new self-confidence which very painfully mixes with traditional Chinese culture. Painfully like Coke with Moutai, and result is not humble.

GLOBALIZATION and change has been too rapid to Chinese business people. Many Chinese city dwellers still have farmers' mentality. When that mentality and Chinese way of business gets mixed with western business processes, brought to China by MNCs and SMEs, result is complex, never before, probable surprise.

Second phase of China's globalization is also exciting. Then Chinese businesses build presence to Europe and U.S. and globalize Guanxi.

Coffee mystery unraveled

2007-08-30T19:27:00.000+05:30

For all the coffee lovers out there, know your coffee!!!!!!!!!!

Emerging pan Indian culture.

2007-08-07T10:25:00.000+05:30

What can truly be attributed as Indian way of life? I mean the way of life which is adpoted by majority of Indians.I believe if this question was asked 10-12 years before, it would have been really difficult to answer. But today I can safely say we are seeing a pan Indian culture evolving.

What qualifies as pan Indian culture? Though this is a subjective question, but there are commonalities which could be agreed upon.I believe Bollywood is the biggest contributor to this phenomenon.Bollywood being a pot pourri of possibly all Indian cultures in varying proportions though,is contributing very significantly to this phenomenon. Bollywood has also heavily influenced the lifestyle choices made by people.You go to any part India today, you would find Bollywood songs being crooned in at least some corner.Opening up of the ecomony has been another important factor which is contributing to this phenomenon. A lot of movement of people is happening across the country and this is providing a very good platform for inter-cultural interactions.Also I think television is contributing in a big way towards this.The talent hunt shows on TV are examples of this when we have people from all parts of the country vying for the top slots.

You would find people today in South India equally at ease with Paneer,Naan and Chicken Tikka Masala as with their traditional food.Similarly people in North India equally at ease with Idli and Dosa as with their traditional food. There is a lot of similarity now in the way people dress across India. English and Hindi have emerged as the lingua franca.

So I believe in years to come, we would definitely see more and more convergence and evolution of a rich pan Indian culture.

BangaloreWalks

2007-05-31T15:08:00.000+05:30

I happen to do the Victorian Bangalore Walk recently.It was a balmy Sunday morning.We were around 10 odd people for the walk.The walk started from Holy Trinity Church on MG Road.There is so much within Holy Trinity Church that I was amazed by the amount of research done by Arun Pai(he conducts the BangaloreWalks).We were shown the house where presumably Winston Churchill lived while his stay in Bangalore.Bangalore was a very famous garrison town with the Brits.

Arun explained as to why Bangalore rose to prominence in science and technology and why Bangalore has always been a cosmopolitan city.There is a historical reason why Bangalore is the Pub City.I mean you would be itching your head thinking that almost every weekend I pass through MG Road and never happen to notice such things.

In the end we were treated to a sumptuous buffet breakfast at Ebony.What a way to make a happy ending.There are many more things which you would see and be amazed when you actually go for the walk. Believe me its worth every penny!!!!

Being Indian by Pavan K.Varma

2007-03-01T16:37:00.000+05:30

I finished reading Being Indian by Pavan K.Varma recently. I would recommend this book for all Indophiles. Pavan has presented an amazing insight into the making of Indians of today.He has nicely interwoven facts and anecdotes from history and recent times to derive his conclusions.

One amazing conclusion is 'Hinduism is a very practical religion', despite umpteen Muslim and Western invasions on India.India today also is a Hindu majority country unlike African and Asian nations which were subjected to invasions. The logic behind this conclusion is Hinduism is very flexible and non-paranoid religion.He explains as to why India has a thriving multi-cultural community although having its share of communal flare.

Indians present a total paradox to the outside world, on one side we are taking giant leap in economy and technology whereas we still struggle with reservation,casteism and abject poverty.

He forsees a great future for Indians though the path ahead is to be tread with utmost care. Our inherent problems can stifle the growth and push us back in the realms of darkness.

Overall a good read.

What is your favourite past time at the traffic signals?

2006-12-11T10:57:00.000+05:30

Its quite an experience observing people at any of the traffic signals. I am lucky to be in Bangalore to have ample of such oppurtunities. The other day I was coming back from office and was stuck at the Manipal Hospital signal, the infamous signal on Bangalore's Airport Road. It is usually ten odd minutes before one could pass this signal. I just decided to observe people to kill time. I didnt know it would be an experience worth writing.

I saw a guy on bike smoking comfortably as if its not going to be green until he finishes his fag. One lady pillion rider was busy checking out other ladies' makeup and stuff. Chauffeur driven car had people working on their laptops. Few fellas chatting or SMSing on their cell phones. Few cows gracing the road as if they dont care about the traffic.

There is also full fledged business thriving at the traffic signals. Madhur Bhandarkar has made a movie called " Traffic Signal" on the life of people involved in doing business at traffic signals.

So what you do @ the traffic signal?

How do the non IT folks take the IT folks?

2006-10-11T12:05:00.000+05:30

I often wonder how do the non IT folks take the IT folks.In my opinion its a mixed feeling of awe and envy.My opinion is based on what I could derive out of direct and subtle interaction with non IT folks.Let me begin with autowallahs, if you want to take an auto to anywhere other than the arterial roads, the fare is not by the meter rather by autowallah's discretion. You would haggle for sure and bang comes the comment, what sir u haggling for 10-20 rs, whereas you IT people earn so much.Thats a shocker.Another example of theatres where tickets are not booked online,if u havent got a ticket u may try looking for the 'black ticket route'. You try haggling with the guy and another shocker, u are ready to shell money for your girlfriends but not for the ticket when you can easily afford it.

Another example of a traffic cop, when he catches u on a weekend night returning from someplace. His usual questions, where are youu coming from? are you drunk? who is she? blah blah blah. god forbid if you are not having your license or are drunk enough to be indicted the cop hits the jackpot. His intention is to extract as much as possible from you.The landlords ask for astronomical rents for not so desirable apartments.

What I could conclude is non IT folks probably think IT folks make easy and huge money. Which I think is because of the glamour of the job to the outside world. I am not being judgemental but just being observational of the facts.

A night in the life of an ATM guard...

2006-09-26T11:23:00.000+05:30

Recently I happen to go to an ATM around 0200 hrs to withdraw some cash for an emergency. The guard at the ATM was dozing off, suddenly on hearing the noise of my vehicle he woke up and saluted me. I guess he wasnt expecting anyone at the ATM at that hour. He had to do his duty at least in front of a customer(just kidding), he pretended to be well awake and attentive.

I asked him before leaving the ATM that, dont people come at this hour? How does he manage to spent the night alone? Recently there was an article in the newspaper that few people tried breaking in an ATM machine to steal the cash. They had hurt the ATM guard badly. I asked does not that incident scare him?

The guard said that "life hain tho jina hi parega, kuch bhi ho duty tho karna hi pargea". I said keep up the attitude man. We then shared a smoke and I left for my place. I could not help but wonder,life teaches us so many things in a discreet way, its upto us to grab them.

Why firangmania still lingers on with Indians?

2006-09-23T10:59:00.000+05:30

It is utterly depressing to see the way Indians stare at the firangs with a sense of obeisance, awe and strangeness. It seems the hangover of colonial past is still not over in India even though it is almost sixty years since we became independent. One should look at any security guard when a firang passes him, he would salute him in such a way that the 'SAHIB' feeling of colonial era is still intact. Just try counting the number of people staring at firangs at any public place, I am sure you would lose the count soon.It is not just at any public place but even at malls, theatres in metro cities. Anything with the firang touch becomes fashionable in India, even though there are things in India which were made fashionable by them like yoga, spirituality to Indians.

This is despicable, I am not telling we should be xenophobic or jingoistic but we must take pride in being Indians. Until we hold ourselves in a respectable way, the world wont respect us.

Is career planning an oxymoron?

2006-09-22T18:01:00.000+05:30

I believe career planning is an oxymoron for sure. To substantiate my claim I have this data in front of me:

Out of world's top ten billionaires
Five are college dropouts -
No. 1: William Henry Gates III - Harvard University, dropout
No. 3: Sheldon Adelson - City College of New York, dropout
No. 4: Lawrence Joseph Ellison - University of Illinois, dropout
No. 5: Paul Gardner Allen - Washington State University, dropout
No. 9 (tie): Michael Dell - University of Texas Austin, dropout

Though this isnt a conclusive piece of evidence, but yea a very strong piece of evidence. When I see around me the white collar workers working for one of these dropout bosses incessantly, I question myself they had their career planned then why the hell are they working for some dropout? Did the dropouts learn something miraculous ,when these workers wasted time in the classrooms?

We do have examples of successful people who had their career planned, but they succeeded when it was mostly unplanned or loosely planned.Does it make my belief true that career planning is an oxymoron?

Is perfect life an illusion or a possibility?

2006-09-17T01:43:00.000+05:30

I could not heip myself but wonder, what is perfect life, an illusion or a real possibility? I had a good upbringing along with good education and good friends. I have a good job and hopefully I would have a good life ahead. Are thet all the ingredients of a perfect life or do I need some more things to make my life a perfect one?

I am too confused, but candidly speaking I dont think I am even in the close vicinity of perfect life.I think its a state of mind that makes one believe when his life can be called perfect. So may be one day I would also feel that my life is perfect.

Has the world been culturally colonised by the US?

2006-08-23T14:15:00.000+05:30

This thought struck me last week when I was reading an article in TOI about Shekar Kapur's visit to India to launch Virgin Comics. The theme of Virgin Comics is to provide readers,comics with their regional characters and stuff. Shekar Kapur had mentioned ' After Second World War the world has been culturally colonised by the US' and their effort is to provide readers with stuff which they can appreciate and relate better.

This observation really made me thinking, are we really colonised culturally by the US? I guess it is correct to a greater extent. We see Hollywood movies, listen to their music,eat at Big Mac, Pizza Hut, KFC. We sip Coke and Pepsi, we wear American clothes. I mean the more I thought, the more this realisation dawned on me that 'AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE' has crept in our life in a major way.

I tried analysing what is that American ways are so dominant in our life? I guess the answer lies in the fact everyone wants to follow the successful and become like it. I think it has also been the norm of life.Thank god at least we dont 'LEFT HAND DRIVE' in India.

KANK and KJ type movies...

2006-08-14T12:42:00.000+05:30

Unfortunately I happen to see KANK, another feather in KJ's cap this weekend. I was exhausted by the intermission, having no clue where it was heading. First of all, the very concept of infidelity,the theme of this movie which KJ calls as very 'in' thing is presented in such a tacky and poorly conceived way that you feel sorry for the movie. There is absolutely no clue as to why Rani Mukherjee does not reciprocate her hubby's(AB) warm feelings. She is drawn into an affair with Shahrukh who is a perpetually sulking husband trying hard to save his own marriage. The climax of the movie seems to be on a wild goose chase with a very cliched end.

The movie seems to have a poor cinematrography, in most parts of the movie it is Manhattan skyline which is in the background .There seems no plausible reason why the movie was shot in NYC. It could have been anywhere, may be Mumbai,Bangalore or Timbaktu. Another important point which I would like to bring across is India's misinterpretation of the West. Our notion is so god damn skewed about them that we present a very poorly researched and antiquated view of the West. West is synonymous to poor family values, open sexual environment,opulence and amidst all these the pure desi Indian family.

What would you do if you lock your flat past midnight without having the keys?

2006-08-11T11:24:00.000+05:30

Have you ever wondered what would you do in such a situation? Actually I also never wondered about this before.I went through this ordeal very recently and thought of sharing it. On one Saturday, past midnight after my quota of beer and smoke thought of stretching my legs and watching some movie. When I have too many options and no way to come to the conclusion I just listen to my heart and to decide on the movie I did the same. I played the Notting Hill dvd, my roommate also joined me for the movie.

After the movie was over, we thought of going on a ride to savour the movie and also for a smoke. Then came the painful moment. My roommate locked the flat without taking the keys.Fortunately I had 100 bucks with me and he had the cellphone and bike keys.

We started thinking what to do next, then we thought lets go for the ride first and then we would see. The ride was good, we were back after an hour or so. By now we were sleepy it was 0230 hrs. We started weighing all the options. These are the moments when you realise how crazy one can think. One option was to go to Nandi Hills and be back by morning,but this idea didnt materialize because we were too tired and also had very less cash on us. Another was may be we could wake the landlord and ask for the duplicate key. But they are old people and we thought it would be highly discourteous of us to trouble them at this hour. One other option was to wait outside the flat till morning ,for the landlord to wake up.

None of the options could stand our weariness, we thought somehow we got to find a place to sleep. We called up one of our friends who stays close by, he was awake watching football. We also watched along, had another round of beer at his place.We hardly slept that night.

We left his house in the morning thinking we would find our landlord awake by now.To our dismay they they had left for some place. My god, the ordeal which seemed romantic in the beginning became really unbearable. We were dying to crash on to our beds. We thought of waiting for sometime,but no good happened. Finally we decided to get an ironsmith and get the duplicate key done. Just as we were about to leave for the ironsmith at 1130 hrs, our landlord came back. We were thanking god from the bottom of our hearts.

The ordeal was over but the experience was worth going through. So just think of what you would do if you lock your flat past midnight?

Why Indians are not enterpreneurial by nature?

2006-08-09T15:11:00.000+05:30

I often wonder why Indians are so successful abroad and very few Indians based in India are equally successful? Is it the system that prevents us from breaking the glass ceiling or is it our upbringing and societal make up which instills in us 'Always avoid risks'.

If we delve little deeper we can understand for ourselves that Indians as a breed is a docile type which has never attacked a country in 5000 years of its existence. Our society creates an atmosphere that only by hardwork and perseverance can one reach at the top.I dont reject this philosophy but it prevents inculcation of enterpreneurial spirit. If we look at the West, their societal make up makes the people independent and risk takers at an early age because of the unstability and turbulence in the families.

I am not saying that we should bring the turbulence and unstability of West's family life in India but parents should not mould their kids only in the shape of ' Macaulay's Mould'. Indians have proven their competence abroad, its time we let the enterpreneurial culture being nurtured and take shape.

Is Indian media undergoing content crisis?

2006-06-05T16:58:00.000+05:30

In light of few incidents in the recent past, I am compelled to think is Indian media undergoing a serious content crisis? The latest one being the 'Rahul Mahajan Case', the media both print and tv are behaving as if all hell has broken loose. I think from last 3-4 days every channel and newspaper is trying to outdo another one and present a picture as if how reliable and fast they are vis-a-vis their peers. This incident is hogging too much undeserving news primetime. Channels have gone till the extent of doing a research on COCAINE vs HEROIN. Isn't it ostentatious.

Around one and half months ago, there was chaotic situation in Bangalore on the the cremation day of Dr.Rajkumar. The media caught glimpse of burning buses, mob smashing the police and the whole day the same footage was played continuosly. Whatever they were trying to prove, it creates a havoc in common man's mind.

These are few incidents which I am quoting, but nowadays newspaper and news channels have become a non stop tabloids. I dont say that dont cover such incidents but media is said to be the fourth pillar of democracy, do they stand upto their responsibilities?

Is Indian media sensible enough to show what is important and call of the hour rather than showing some sensationalising stuff just for the heck of it.

Words are not enough to describe this sight.

2006-05-30T13:22:00.000+05:30

This pic is taken from a friend's album. I was mesmerised on seeing this . To somebody it may be just a bunch of beautiful mushrooms, but to me it has a deep subtle meaning. Life for me has always been a mystery, whenever I have this feeling I understand life considerably, something comes up which changes my notion about life dramatically.

This pic also had the same effect. I always believed that "All chidren are born alike, its the environment which makes the difference". I think in my life almost all the successful people I have met, I have known vindicated my belief. They are from good families, with good education and upbringing.

This pic shows that beauty(metaphorically SUCCESS) can grow right on top of the decayed matter(metaphorically WORST POSSIBLE CONDITIONS) . This made me believe that success is not a function of environment somebody belongs to. It has got a much more bigger picture than I had anticipated.

What you do when u "JUST DO IT"

2006-05-18T20:03:00.000+05:30

What people do when they are taking a pee? Well this is a very weird but obvious question. Well to begin with I shall divulge what I do. Its a very mood dependent phenomenon. When I am in happy mood I pee all over the pot :P , when I am frustrated I target the napthelene ball kept in the pot and wish I could melt it rightaway. Well when I am sad, it takes hell lot of effort to actually pour it out.

The real fun is when I take a pee in the open during my trips. I stand at a place where there is lot of clear vacant land, and then pee while looking at the sky thinking ,I dont care who owns this land 'I AM THE GOD'. Have you have peed on a wall on which it is written 'DONT URINATE'? Trust me it gives an instant high when you pee on any such walls :P .

Where are you from?

2006-05-12T21:22:00.000+05:30

It happens quite often that when you meet people one of the most probable questions is "Where are you from ?" This question often makes me think where am I from, because I just can't attribute a single place or culture to which I belong.

I was born in Jamshedpur(then Bihar, now Jharkhand), in a Marwari family and grew up in a Bengali neighbourhood. I am a mix of Marwari(because of the family connection), Bengali( because of the neighbourhood connection) and Bihari( because of surroundings) cultures. I can speak Marwari, Bengali fluently and manageable Bhojpuri.I relish Dal-Batti, Churma(Marwari dishes) , Misti-Doi, Kalakand(Bengali dishes), Litti, Chokha(Bihari dishes) equally. I celebrate Diwali,Durga Pooja,Chaatt,Holi with equal fervour. I came down to Bangalore for my undergrad studies and thereafter have settled here. Bangalore is like a melting pot of cultures, I have been exposed to almost all the South Indian cultures, Anglo-Indian culture, West Indian culture here in varying proportion.

To sum it all, I think I have an effect of almost all the major Indian cultures though in varying proportions. I am a pot pourri of all these mixes. That makes it all the more difficult for me to answer somebody's question that "Where are you from?"

Well that dilemma was on a lighter note, when I think hard about this question it really worries me. What is the reason of my worry you must be pondering? Well when I look around me I get a cold feet, reason being most of the people I know have almost the same mix of cultures in their upbringings and what they finally emerged is into a "Sophisticated phislistine face", pretty much as I am. I am so disconnected with the pulse of this country that I dont care what would be the outcome of this reservation brouhaha or what would be the fate of the killers of Jessica Lal. I am so smugly immersed in my own "Sophisticated" life that I am immune to what is happening outside. Is the urban middle class who are the "Sophisticated people" turning into "Burgeois" which Lenin referred as the actual enemy of Socialism.

A Ray of Hope amidst this DEMOCRATIC CHAOS.

2006-05-12T17:01:00.000+05:30

Y'day the poll results were announced for four state assemblies and one parliamentary constituency(RAIBARELI). The results pretty much reveal the state of democracy in the country. In Raibareli, Sonia Gandhi won with a record margin and she gave the credit to Rahul, a legitimate way to bring the scion of Gandhi family in the mainline politics. Another chapter of dynastic rule to usher in sometime in future in India, RAHUL is our "Would be PM candidate". Thats one sad chapter of Indian democracy where we still have the hangover of colonial period with allegiance towards a family rather than ideals.

In other states we saw people giving demigod status to politicians, polls have become more of power show and an arena to settle personal scores.

Amidst all these chaos, there was a glint of hope in TamilNadu. PARITRANA, a party formed by IITIANS' bagged 10K and 12K votes in two constituencies. Though they didnt win any seats, but getting sizeable votes vindicates the spirit of revolution against the philistine establishment. This goes in a long way to show that hope is only thing which has kept has afloat till date.

We hope to see many such success stories in coming times.

What you do when it rains???

2006-05-10T16:32:00.000+05:30

It is prevalent in Bangalore that when the temp goes high the rain is surely ensuing . So true to its established behaviour it rained intermittently here since afternoon and brought down the soaring mercury.

I was stuck in the office doing not so exciting work and cribbing at my inability to leave the office and enjoy the rain. Thank god, I could leave the office by 1900 hrs and there I was a happy, carefree soul set free to enjoy the rain. Wow!!! the weather was awesome outside and I thought of getting drenched. It has been a long since I got drenched. I got on my bike and started towards my place. On my way, I saw a small park where few kids where getting drenched. Voila, I found the place to get drenched. I cant describe what fun it was, playing with those kids and getting drenched. No amount of money can buy those moments of happiness.

After getting drenched completely, I was on way to my flat. Suddenly felt like having a Cornetto, imagine the chill I got while having the ice cream in drenched state. With all these came an urge to have a smoke, too cooool... I was savouring each moment of the rain with ice cream and smoke.

I wish it rains more often in Bangalore, the routine office life is so boring.... Anyways this was what I did when it rained.. How about u fellas???

THE DOGS MUST BE CRAZY!!!

2006-05-06T11:57:00.000+05:30

Have you ever encountered this situation when street dogs chase your vehicle in the midnight if you pass by them speedily? Y'day night at around 0100 hrs I had a sudden urge to have Thums-Up. Bangalore closes by 2330 hrs and u find only call centre/BPO cabs or street dogs after this time.
I was in a fix karu tho kya karu, jau tho kaha jau. Suddenly the thought of going to the Airport came to my mind and I said bingo. Airport is around 1.5 Kms from my place and only place open round the city in East Bangalore. I got on my bike and started towards the Airport. My lane is haunted by street dogs, night is their time of bossing around.I was aware of this and was cautious while crossing the 'dreaded area', but to my dismay two dogs came out of no where and started barking and chasing me. I said holy fuck and sped on the accelerator. Bastards were not ready to give up chased me for 500 mts, let me confess they scared the hell out of me.
After I crossed this nightmare, I was towards the Airport and when I was gulping the so wanted 'Thums-Up' at the Airport, I started thinking 'THE DOGS MUST BE CRAZY' to do something like this. I mean why on earth would they do like something like that without any reason, was I disturbing or hurting them in any way? But this also occured to me that many times when I am walking back to place late in the night they dont chase me.With these thoughts I came to my place though I was a bit scared. Luckily while retuning dogs didnt chase me.
When I came back, I got talking with my flatmate about this and he said even he had faced this chasing fiasco.But he added one new dimension to this incident, while crossing that 'dreaded area' if you are slow the dogs wont chase or bark at you.Isnt that surprising and intriguing? I mean why on earth would they chase you when u r speeding away.
I could conclude nothing but 'THE DOGS MUST BE CRAZY'.

ELIXIR in this MADDENING WORLD!!!!!

2006-05-06T00:06:00.000+05:30

ELIXIR in this MADDENING WORLD!!!!!

Yday suddenly I was amazed to see the pile of beer cans && bottles, vodka bottles, soda cans and etc etc in my kitchen. I was thinking have I finished all of these or may be my envious neighbour has steathily dumped some of his trash here. No nah never my neighbour could never do this, this was the handiwork of my flatmates and the great me. Then I decided to peep in the refreigerator, wow to my usual belief I could see a bottle of vodka and few beer cans hanging in there for our eleventh hour need.

This made me sit and think back that why my stock of this so called "ELIXIR" is never over, whereas most other stuffs are out of stock mostly. I could figure out the reason pretty soon, whenever I drop in Fabmall to pick up my groceries I am always tempted towards the WINEMALL, a small section within it. Most of my time I spent there, trying to remember what all I need to replenish in the refreigerator and in this process most of the groceries are forgotten.

Why am I always tempted at the sight of this ELIXIR. Plain and simple it makes my parched throat go gaga after I am back from a bad/good/worst day. The fizz of beer takes my worries along and all I am left is with the soothing taste of it asking for nothing but more of it;)

Truth Comes in SMALL Packages

2006-05-05T13:59:00.000+05:30

My Bangalore

What are they trying to prove?

2006-05-04T20:49:00.000+05:30

Often I see at the traffic signals that few two wheeler riders are in too hurry as soon as the signal goes green. I dont understand what they are trying to prove, the vehicles are in a criss cross arrangement at signals in India and amidst this if one tries to rush through he may get smashed sometime for sure.Trust me its even scary to watch these misdeeds on the road.

More than often I see this and shudder at the thought what if something happens right here.

Sold my SOUL.

2006-05-03T15:35:00.000+05:30

As Ozzy says, "I have a vision that I just can’t control. I feel I’ve lost my spirit and sold my soul.Got no control" I think even I am going the same way. I live by my watch, fuck me its so depressing at times. I just have no god damn clue what am I doing and for whom am I doing this shit.There is no charm left in life, even in my dreams I am haunted by the nightmares of office.

Did I slog my ass all these years to live such a fucked up life, there is no bloody time to enjoy with all the money I earn.From outside it may look very glam, I am working in an MNC, getting paid handsomely, get to travel aboard frequently. People think I have all the goodies I wanted and look at me with awe.I fucking feel so choked inside that I cant even vent out my innermost feelings to somebody.I am allowing my life to be fucked up at what cost,few fucking thousand dollars.Crap, I never wanted this type of life, if this shit is what is called corporate life I am amazed how presumably millions of people are so happy with it.

I need to get out of this choking life and do something probably which would earn me may be some less dollars but I would be driven by passion and would be happy at the end of the day.

Those few moments which I call "LIFE"

2006-04-30T14:12:00.000+05:30

It all began on this Friday night. Kshitij,Arun, Raj and myself decided to take a midnight highway ride and then up to the hills in the wee hours. We decided to get our quota of things for the trip, lucky we had very few things to get. Beer cans, cigs, something to munch on and jackets to save us from the chilling wind.

We left at around 1230 AM from our place. We were on the NH4 in around 15-20 minutes. We let our driving fantasies unravel on the road, the bikes were running at 110-120 Kmph. The feeling one gets when the wind whizzes past his face is just awesome. You forget whatever worries you have and really relish the moments. We just went crazy driving our bikes and screaming on the road.

Our stop en route to the DD Hills.

We reached Khalsa dhabha at around 0200 AM. Old memories came running,when we were in college we used to frequent the highway dhabhas. Pat came the fab chai of the dhabha, trust me it could beat the best of ChaiBar or Infinitea. Savouring each sip of it, we could manage to get just scrambled eggs to munch on at that time.

After finishing our round of refreshments, we all got talking. People could not wait to finish the beer, cans were opened and gulped within minutes. Wow!!! the beer, friends and ambience nothing could beat it.

It was close to 330 AM when we decided to lie down on the charpais. I cant explain the feel of the place, cool breeze, clear sky and stars. It was like a dream. At arnd 500 AM we decided to leave for DD Hills.

It was a pleasant morning, again bikes running at 110-120Kmph. We reached the foothills of DD Hills at 545 AM.

The ordeal of being a human.

2006-04-04T13:49:00.000+05:30

I sometimes wonder whether its a boon or bane to be born as a Homo Sapiens. Life has taken me through so many crests and troughs that it makes think do I actually have control over my life. Yesterday I got the news that one of my close friends passed away in a tragic road accident, somedays back another news was about my aunt being detected cancerous and she would be with us for at maximum 6 months. These incidents have shook me completely, time and again I go back to think whether its a boon or bane to be born as a Homo Sapiens. As Yudhisthira, a protagonist of the Hindu epic Mahabharata said to Yaksha, a God in answer to his question that what is world's biggest wonder that all human beings know that we are mortal yet we live our life in such a way that we are immortalised.

This thought in the background of the two recent tragedies has made me believe that life is much more than run of the mill chore, its about giving and sharing and try making this world a better place to live then only my birth would be a boon else its a bane.

I met a girl at the bus stop!!!

2006-03-31T12:02:00.000+05:30

This friend of mine, works in a software firm in Bangalore. He uses the public transport bus to commute to his workplace from our flat.He is a shy kind of naughty,innocent guy. Last week he saw a very pretty lady on his regular bus stop, when he was waiting on for his bus. She was also waiting for her bus.He was enticed by her beauty. When he returned to flat, he was ecstatic, could not contol his excitement about seeing that pretty girl. He told us that he has fallen head over heels for her, but dont have the guts to approah her.
Then again he kept seeing her on the same bus stop for three consecutive days.Every day he would come and say us yaar meri madad karo, mera kuch karo. We all flatmates decided to help him. We thought of a nice dialogue and told him that if he sees her the next day just invite her for coffee. He told that he cant do it, but we insisted, questioned his chivalry.Finally he agreed,but told still he cant do it. We told then your bad luck.
Next evening also he saw her, he didnt know what to do?? How to approach her?? Finally he mustered all his courage and went upto her.. He tapped her on her shoulders as she was looking on some other side..She asked him what he wants?? He was dumbstruck, didnt know what to say?? He was feeling that he was in his dreams. Then he pinched himself and said her.“ I have been noticing you for last few days, I think you are very pretty.Do you mind having a cup of coffee with me in Barista?? It is just round the corner. The girl was totally confused as what is this stranger upto?? She was speechless for few moments, then she said,“ Excuse me, I dont know you.Who you are n what do you want?? This friend of mine was dumb now, he was shivering down his pants, then out of blue he said, “ I am Nishant, what about you??“ The girl saw innocence in his voice and told, “ I am Anuva, but I am sorry. I cant go for coffee.” My friend felt that his chance has gone, he just kept her staring with his innocent eyes without saying a word.
Suddenly he said just a coffee, please DONT BREAK MY HEART, the girl could not say no to his childish innocence. They went to have coffee and my friend is very happy now. He meets her daily on the bus stop , and chat with her. We all are hoping that something works out for him..
Those four words,really cast a spell on that girl....

Can somebody empathise with me?

2006-03-31T11:58:00.000+05:30

------------------- A Hostel Room----------------------------

They come, they live, they make their destiny and leave. What is left is the memories of those days? Euphoria, depression, ecstasy, agony, hatred and conspiracy I have seen them all. I have been witness to the ups and downs of their life.
A new occupant comes with his aspirations, dreams and fantasies. He cleans me up as I am going to be his abode for an year. Some of them put up nice posters of their favouriterock stars, players, actors, and actresses. Some put up deities’ posters and idols. Thus each one sets the mood of the place as per his wish.
Now begins the ordeal of new session. Some of them are followers of early to bed and early to rise, whereas there are few who are nocturnal. Some of them are “ I don’t care” type. . Life goes on suddenly the inmate starts getting books, notes then I know that exams are nearing.
He is getting ready very meticulously most probably going to meet his girlfriend.Today is his birthday, his friends are celebrating it with cake, cold drinks, wafers etc, each year I am witness to this.
All friends are assembling to go out most probably exams got over. He was fighting with his friends over the issue of basketball match played today.
Suddenly he was very depressed today, his girlfriend ditched him as he told his friend. He was cleaning today because the warden is on hostel checking round.
Now I see a lot of snaps being taken in and around. The session is coming to an end. The fellow hostel mates are taking the snaps together. Its time to bid adieu to the hostel. One fine morning he starts packing his stuff, rips off the posters from the walls, collects his baggage.
He is nostalgic today, he has spent one full year here .He has both sweet and bitter memories of this room .He leaves the room dirty for the new inmate to clean and make the place livable as per his taste.
Every year someone lives and makes memories for himself, but I had been witness to memories of all the inmates who have lived here, their mood swings, their highs and lows. I am nostalgic about each inmate who has lived here, each was unique in his own way. I am so full of memories that I want to share them with someone. Can u help?

This story really inspires the YOUTH OF INDIA

2006-03-29T15:13:00.000+05:30

This story really inspires the YOUTH OF INDIA

Are we doing what Shaheed Bhagat Singh expected of us?

2006-03-23T14:03:00.000+05:30

23rd March, on this day Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged. They gave their life for a reason, the reason being to give India a better tomorrow.No doubt India is doing good but are we doing things which Bhagat Singh expected us to do.
We today lack the patriotic feeling towards the country, the responsibility towards the society and to others. India today lacks a leader like Bhagat Singh or Subhash Bose who can motivate the country as a whole. We have not a single leader today who can inspire the nation. Though we find things happening in tit bits but they wont help much. Things like;
7 IITIANS tore their US visa after seeing Rang De Basanti
5 IITIANS formed a political party named Paritrana.
100 Bangaloreans took out a silent march to remember Bhagat Singh n all.
Jessica Lall murder case was reopened for trial.

We need a motivator, who can inspire the country as a whole, and then there would be no stopping in India's growth n prosperity.

Man in the Mirror

2006-03-22T13:46:00.000+05:30

When you get what you want in your struggles for self
And the world makes you king for a day:
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t a man’s father, mother or wife
Whose judgement upon him must pass?
The fellow whose verdict counts most in his life,
Is the man staring back from the glass?

He’s the fellow to please: never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear up to the end:
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your Friend.

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass:
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the Man in the Glass

-Author unknown-

"Find a job you love, and you will never have to work again"

2006-03-22T12:04:00.000+05:30

This statement by Confuscius is invaluable. I suppose most of us are not doing this, we try to love what we are doing. In this process though many of us adjust to the circumstances but those of them who dont adjust live a pitiable live. They may be successful materially and the society may look up to them but they arent satisfied. They want to break off the set rules and follow their passions.

Believe me people, if we do what we love really we would never need to work again.

A trip to Art of Living Ashram, Bangalore

2006-03-20T15:44:00.000+05:30

On the day of Holi ,me and Atul decided to visit the Art of Living Ashram.This Ashram is on Kanakapura Road. I came from Airport Road to meet Atul at BTM Water Tank and from there we went to Banashankari bus stand. From BSK bus stand we got a State Transport Bus for the ashram. The bus ride was awesome.

The bus driver was on a high(not on spirits though), the ride was bumpy yet enjoying.We tried clicking few snaps but the camera was doing dirty dancing all along the way.

This is the main Mandap in the Art of Living Ashram, called Vishalakashi Mandapa. It looks awesome in the night though we missed it. It is really spectular. This snap is taken on the terrace of the Mandapa.

This is the pic of me and Atul outside the Mandapa.

This is the front view of the Vishalakashi Mandapa.

Try deciphering the picture. To give u some hint my dear friend Atul was trying hands on the camera to do something creative(Though we were in the LOO)...

Do we care for our parents after we are independent?

2006-03-20T14:47:00.000+05:30

My mom only had one eye. I hated her... she was such an embarrassment...She cooked for students & teachers...to support the family. there was thisone day during elementary school and my mom came. I was so embarrassed. Howcould she do this to me? I threw her a hateful look and ran out.The next day at school... "Your mom only has one eye?!?!"...eeeee said afriend. I wished my mom would just disappear from this world. So I said tomy mom, "Mom... Why don't you have the other eye?! If you're only gonnamake me a laughing stock, why don't you just die?!!!" My mom did notrespond... I guess I felt a little bad, but at the same time, it felt goodto think that I had said what I'd wanted to say all this time... Maybe itwas because my mom hadn't punished me, but I didn't think that I hadhurt her feelings very badly.That night... I woke up, and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water.My mom was crying there, so quietly, as if she as afraid that she mightwake me. I took a look at her, and then turned away. Because of the thing Ihad said to her earlier,there was something pinching at me in the corner of my heart. Even so, Ihated my mother who was crying out of her one eye. So I told myself that Iwould grow up and become successful.Then I studied real hard. I left my mother and went to Singapore to study.Then, I got married. I bought a house of my own. Then I had kids, too...Now I'm living happily as a successful man. I like it here because it's aplace that doesn't remind me of my mom. This happiness was getting biggerand bigger, when... What?! Who's this?! It was my mother...Still with herone eye. I felt as if the whole sky was falling apart on me. Even mychildren ran away, scared of my mom's eye. And I asked her, "Who are you?!""I don't know you!!!" as if trying to make that real. I screamed at her,"How dare you come to my house and scare my children!"GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!!!"And to this, my mother quietly answered, "Oh, I'm so sorry. I may havegotten the wrong address," and she disappeared out of sight. Thank goodness... She doesn't recognize me. I was quite relieved. I told myselfthat I wasn't going to care, or think about this for the rest of my life.Then a wave of relief came upon me...One day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house in Singapore.So, lying to my wife that I was going on a business trip, I went. After thereunion, I went down to the old shack, that I used to call a house... Justout of curiosityThere, I found my mother fallen on the cold ground. But I did not shed asingle tear. She had a piece of paper in her hand....It was a letter to me."My son...I think my life has been long enough now... And... I wont visitSingapore anymore...But would it be too much to ask if I wanted you to come visit meonce in a while?I miss you so much..And I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion.But I decided not to go to the school.For you...And I'm sorry that I only have one eye, and I was an embarrassmentfor you. You see, when you were very little, you got into anaccident, andlost your eye.As a mom, I couldn't stand watching you having to grow up with onlyone eye... So I gave you mine...I was so proud of my son that was seeing a whole new world for me,in my place,with that eye. I was never upset at you for anything you did..The couple times that you were angry with me.. I thought to myself,'It's because he loves me..'My son... Oh, my son... "This message has a very deep meaning and is passed to remind people of thegoodness they have enjoy was because of others directly or indirectly.Pause a moment and consider your life! Be thankful of what you have todaycompared to many millions who do not live lives as you do! Do spend sometime in prayer for your mum out there!

What would u say after seeing this?

2006-03-17T17:38:00.000+05:30

This image evokes a very mixed type of feelings... This is infront of Intel India office on Airport Road, Bangalore

Photo courtesy : Daniel Sorid

This thought has been intriguing me since many days...

2006-03-17T12:36:00.000+05:30

I wonder what is in Azim Premji or Sunil Bharati Mittal that they are billionaires today.It cant be sheer luck or fluke I wonder. It is more to do with having vision about things much ahead of time than most of us. More importantly working on making the vision materialise so that they create a niche for themself.
Sunil Mittal took a big risk of spending huge amounts of money in rolling out the cellular network when the returns were not lucrative.But he had a vision of the market 5-10 years ahead of the time.Premji is one of the starters of IT outsourcing concept in India.When India was still in license raj he took the onus of putting things in place for IT industry.
As they say, "Winners dont do different things, they do the same things differently".

Just a thought

2006-03-16T18:22:00.000+05:30

I was walking down the approach way of my college.It was a sunny day and I was in very good mood.Last night only we had a debate in our hostel on the 'India Shining' brouhaha.I was strongly in favour of the motion.I was pondering over the whole discussion.

Then I saw a bullock cart approaching me,initially I thought it to be just a goods carrying cart.When I saw what it was carrying I was thought provoked.It was carrying few Pentium 4 computers for the computer lab.

I started thinking what a combination,Pentium 4,the fastest processor on this earth and
that is being tranported on the slowest means of tranportation.The superfast is riding on the slowest,just a co-incidence yet to me it conveyed a strong sense of self-belief.I suddenly had a very positive feeling about the whole thing.

To me the idea of 'India Shining' was really vindicated.We are probably realising how to run things in our way.What is applicable somewhere may not be applicable here.I think once we realise that every place has got its own set of problems and they are to be dealt in a different way.Nothing can stop us.

Whats the actual Indian history?

2006-03-16T15:49:00.000+05:30

Hi Folks,I am under a big dilemma, as per my knowledge we have two theories of the origin of post Indus Valley Civilization India.First one says that the Aryans invaded the Indus Valley and later settled in northern and north-western part of India.So it is Aryans who are our fore-fathers.Second one says that it was inhabitants of Indus Valley only who shifted to the Ganges plain and southwards because of dire situation there. So according to it, the people from Indus valley are our fore-fathers.Well conclusively nothing can be said that which one is correct, but more weightage is given to the Aryan invasion theory.Should not the govt. be instituting a proper research of our history, I mean we dont know about our history but about Western history.
Pls comment.

Why is SEX a taboo in India

2006-03-16T15:48:00.000+05:30

SEX, sshhh... dont say it loudly here,chances are u would be labeled as promiscous,immoral by somebody here.Why is sex such a taboo in the country of Vatsayana?Indians cant talk about it openly, somebody going beyond the so called moral boundary is ostracised in the society.
Sex is human being's natural instinct, society makes some rules so as to see things are within a framework.Why such hype and hoopla when two people have sex with mutual consent and without overridingfamilial relationships.I might have sex with my GF or an one night stand with somebody before marriage, I dont think I am doing something wrong.What is most important in a relationship is trust.
People outrightly reject discussing sex in public, now AIDS is spreading like a menace.Even if we keep being hypocrites and let things just run undercover,its gonna be worse one day.