Bhim's Eye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-03-16T16:34:00.002+05:30

Its been ages since I started this blog.
Now its the time for destruction and rebirth.
I stand to dissolve this blog. The blog will die its natural death and
a new form will take birth

PS: The lady in the picture is Yulia Tymoshenko - Prime Minister Ukraine.

Kursi => Authority or Responsibility

2008-08-10T22:21:00.003+05:30

For the last few days I was thinking about the "kissa kursi ka".
When somebody gets the right to occupy the chair, does it mean s/he has the authority or has some responsibility been bestowed on them?
I ask this question because many of my friends (who also happen to be the readers of this blog) are already sitting on chairs and will sit on other chairs in the future.
India is a country where we easily accept the statement "Jiski lathi usiki bhais". Where do we see people sitting on chairs exerting their authority. Take the case of CBI enquiries against former CMs ordered by the new CMs. This is a case of vendetta more than it is an intention of bringing the guilty to book.
I just wonder why the men in chair forget that they have been nominated to don the chair because people have given them responsibility. They are supposed to exercise only that authority which is justified bu the responsibility they handle.
A simple way of detecting if the person has lost a sense of responsibility is to observe the way he speaks. If there is no tinge of humility or politeness, you know the person is off-track.
To end this discussion, I will recall the words of one the best Prime Leaders and one of the finest orators. He was responsible for the security of the citizens of India. This gave him the authority to direct Modi to carry out his "RajDharma" (a king's responsibility).

As for the pic, she is the new girl on the block. Though she does not come anywhere close to the two queens Katrina Kaif and Ayesha Takia, she has a bright future. All great things have a death and from the rubble rise the new stars. It was only after the sad demise of Ayrton Senna that Schuamacher could rise to the heights that remain unparalleled.

Fuel price hike

2008-06-04T21:30:00.002+05:30

Finally the decision to hike fuel prices has been taken.
When the input costs double, I believe it takes 2 years to take the decision to raise the selling price. But this is the super efficient UPA government with highly learned Prime Minister and Finance Minister, highly honourable Gandhi family to sanction the government decision and the Left provide some much-needed policy help. Thus, the government finally managed to hike the price by 10% and reduce the central taxes to a certain extent.

The subsidy burden which stood at 2.45 trillion rupees will reduce by 0.45 trillion. The PSU oil companies will bear a loss of 0.65 trillion and the rest 1.35 trillion will be borne by the government.
Now for the reservation-premi government, 1.35 trillion can easily set-up 15 IITs and even provide them with working capital for years to come. Also, the subsidy goes down the drain whereas these IITs will produce engineers who will be productive in their future life.

The worst part of the subsidy and taxation structure is that it totally distorts the energy consumption pattern. Diesel that HPCL buys in Mumbai is costlier than petrol. But, the retail price of petrol is a good 40% higher than Diesel. Higher you consume higher is the subsidy that you get and more the noise you make on news channels to continue with the subsidies.
No money to oil companies means no new exploration, no city gas distribution projects and no search of the alternative to oil. Indian bio-diesel policy is waiting to be finalised by the cabinet since 5 years. Dr APJ Kalam had announced the bio-fuel mission in 2003. Countries like Brazil have changed their energy mix. All new cars use 85% ethanol.
But, in India with the distorted pricing mechanism there is no incentive to search for the alternatives.

Even the BJP is behaving like a bunch of idiots. The fuel price hike is inevitable, demand-supply law has to take precedence in a market-economy. I am also surprised as to can the average Indian be so stupid to expect the government to keep on bearing the subsidy? Government finances are not invented money like that of entrepreneurs, money given to one cause means money deducted from somewhere else. I started this post with the decision making, it remains to see how many months it takes for BEST to raise the bus fares.

As for the usual pic that accompanies the post, since Varun could not fully appreciate the last pic, this post contains none, he has to relook at the old one and see its beauty. The beauty is in the face of the girl and not the surroundings.

Travelogue

2008-05-26T17:25:00.003+05:30

Posting after a long time, so have to post about this long and ardous journey.

I was supposed to reach Gurgaon, Sukhrali at 5.50 pm. Started from my house in Rohini at 4 pm. The distance is 45km. Assuming 30km/hr I should reach in time.
Caught a Cycle Rickshaw to the nearest bus stop. Caught a DElhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus to the nearest big Depot. On reaching there, I spotted a bus which would drop me right to my detination. But, there was a small hurdle: the bus did not have any gas, so the conductor told us that he would go in the Depot and get the gas filled.
Half an hour of wait under the tree and a bus came out. 10 of us boarded the bus and 50 mtrs down the road, the driver abruptly brakes and comes to a smooth halt. He informs us that the "bus is breaking down". What astrolgers these DTC drivers. They know when their buses are going to get sick. Another 15 mins and finally I am inside the bus sitting comfortably.
Half and hour goes by and I sense something unusual. Though there are just 10 people in the bus, the conductor hasn't come to ask for my ticket. Then I realise that this is not Mumbai and I have to go to where the conductor is sitting to buy the ticket. At least he is in the bus physically, better than just signing the register and going home. Also, the bus seems never to have a halt at any of the bus stops. This reminded me of the Sardar joke; A sardar chases down a DTC bus and manages to heave himself in. The bus is empty but for a few passengers. Sardar goes to the driver and asks him

sardar: “Yeh bus teri maa lagti hai?”

driver: “nahi”

sardar: “Yeh bus teri behen lagti hai?”

driver: “nahi”

sardar: “Yeh bus teri biwi lagti hai?”

driver: “nahi bhai”

sardar: “Toh tu mujhe buspe chadhne kyun nahi deta?”

My journey was detined to be doomed and the terrorists too had a hand to play. There was grapevine that a bomb was diffused on Chawri Bazar (old Delhi) and there were huge traffic jams. As it is either the bus was incapable of going beyond 30 Km/Hr or the driver was too lazy, on top of that, the road diversion and I reached my destination at 7pm.

3 hours of boring journey and I reach tired. But, DTC is happy that they have provided such “cheap” transport. Transport policy makers in India refuse to go beyond “cost, accessibility, safety” to the time factor when it comes to public transport.

When coming back, I decided to give a ditchu to DTC and caught a call centre sharing cab. In 20 rupess, it dropped me right at my doorstep in flat 1 hr. But, the government doesn't recognise this form of transport as legal and these cab drivers are in constant fear of the police.

NCR region is the richest in India and has the maximum car density in India, but when it comes to public service delivery, it fails miserably. Mumbai at least provides good service even if it is insufficient to cater to such a huge population. Delhi is a gloring example of how we Indians fail when it comes to working together for the benefit of all without directly benifitting a single person.

Controversial Sania and Raj

2008-02-05T21:37:00.000+05:30

Sania has made a very controversial decision by deciding not to play in the Bangaluru open where even the Williams sisters are set to play.
But, this decision has been a reaction to the constant torture faced by her from fellow Indians who can't see any other Indian succeed. An environment has been created where all merit is perceived to be foreign and nobody believes that India and Indians can so something great.
Though I was never interested in the girl or her sport, I remember a Sania with a "nath" in her nose. Today, Sania and any other typical European lady cannot be distinguished by the uninitiated. This is because the concept of beauty widely accepted by India today is of European origin.
Sania is just a victim of this "only foreign originated is good".

Coming to the hot topic of North Indians in Mumbai, instead of castigating Raj Thackeray, the leaders of the cow belt should introspect as to why do so many people move out of UP and Bihar and come to Mumbai and live in sub-human conditions. Whoever re-emphasizes that all Indian citizens have a right to settle in Mumbai an earn their living should first ask why any Indian citizen cannot buy and own a house/land in Kashmir or the north-eastern states.

BOON TO YOU

2008-01-27T21:49:00.000+05:30

It was sometime in May 2007 that I was suggested by an extraordinary soul to install UBUNTU on my brand new laptop. The promise of free software and freedom was irresistible and I installed the OS. I was forcing myself out of the clutches of Microsoft. But, I was not ready for this journey. I wasn’t prepared for the change in mindset as also the extra effort and initiative.

The installation was smooth and the look of the OS was good. But, I banged into a big wall. My Broadcomm wireless card was not detected and I could not use the wireless internet. This was as good as not having a laptop or using one sometime in the 1970s. Now I realized the real difference between Windows and Linux: you fend for yourself in Linux and thus you are the master. In Windows, you blindly believe MS and hence are chronically dependent on them. My wireless did not work and the frustration mounted. During the time, I was parted from my laptop because of my long duration official trips. Thus came November and I was contemplating migrating back to Microsoft. But, I mustered hope inspired from the plight of the BABA man. He was torn apart trying to migrate UBUNTU. He could not break himself from the bond of enslavement from MS. He found the effort worthless.

Now, I wanted to prove to myself that I have the courage and resilience to go the distance. As my journey progressed, I was introduced by the faithful soul to a financial accounting software Gnnucash. I started maintaining my daily accounts with the help of this software. Gnucash has diverse and versatile capabilities. An account all your financial transactions can be maintained in this software. Even investments can be logged into the software. But, how do you see your capital gains. Income and expenses are exactly what they are, but the value of investments changes on daily basis. So, how do I measure what money I put and what is it worth now. Here the wizardy capabilitites of Gnucash came handy. Gnucash has the facility of retrieving the stock quotes online. But, is it possible with Indian stocks? Have the stock exchanges in India become technically savvy enough? Do Indian markets have the might to develop the stake which forces popular websites to stream online quotes of Indian stocks? And the answer is yes. Yahoo Asia gives realtime quoted for stocks listed in the NSE. Now came the most difficult part: getting to the technical grind and configuring the Gnucash application. After two days of struggle, I finally managed to get online quotes not only for the stocks but also for mutual funds. I was thrilled and convinced of the cutting edge technology of Linux.

After this small success, I am past Microsoft and have stepped irreversibly into the free world of linux. I am happy that I didn’t disappoint the soul whose name I reveal at the end of the article: RVB.

Economics in one Lesson : Book Review

2007-07-27T20:25:00.000+05:30

This is one of the best books I have read. Very lucid and always revolving round the central theme. The essence of the book is summarized in the author’s words itself as

“The art of economics consists in looking not merely at the immediate, but at longer effects of any act or policy, it consists in tracing the consequences of that policy not merely for one group, but for all groups.”

It is significant to note that the author calls economics an art and thus distances economics from the rigors statistics or what in modern days is called econometrics. The author takes up different issues like supply-demand principle, subsidies, tax sops, price control, import-export policy and analyses (using the before mentioned principle) the effects of a particular policy on different groups of people viz. producers, consumers, tax-payers and indirectly affected people. Pure straight thinking and natural reasoning flows to draw conclusions of which we know, but are not aware or refuse to accept. All the reasoning in the book is based on the following axiom.

“Something cannot be created out of nothing”
In other words,
“Economic resources have alternative uses and the best policy is the one which which produces net gain in the long run.”

Also, the author tends to rely on the belief that

“Nature always tries to reach a static equilibrium” which does happen in mechanics but is contrary to the III Law of Thermodynamics: “In any thermodynamic process, entropy (chaos) is always greater than or equal to zero.”

I would recommend this book to all those interested in economic and business policy. It would entice those people who believe in long-term rather than quick-fix solutions. One reason I liked the book was that the author thinks in a way similar to the author of the book “The Intelligent Investor” viz Benjamin Graham. They both believe that making your point louder and more often doesn’t make it right. A short review of this Geeta of investment philosophy will come next.

Available at:http://www.mises.org/books/onelesson.pdf

At what cost?

2007-05-13T16:40:00.000+05:30

We make choices everyday, some with due consideration some impulsively. Choices decide the course of our journey and we realise which road we are on only after coverung a great distance. Then we start thinking: Am I achieving what I had set out to? Were the sacrifices I made to come here worth it? Do I really want this at the price I paid for it? Many a times either we don't realise how much we pay for something or we don't anticipate what price we will have to pay in the future

This is the theme of the movie "Life in a Metro". We work long hours just to earn few more Rupees for our family, but do we realise that our family requires more time than money? What happens when the spouse can't fulfill their emotional needs from each other? (Shilpa and Kay Kay).
The "at whatever cost" attitude makes us commit so many crimes, but only when the consequences are reflected in our personal life do we realise that the "cost" was just too high. (Sharman and Kangna-what a babe).
The movie also narrates the oft repeated story of "waiting a bit more for the perfect thing". One can always invest more time and achieve more but the law of diminishing returns always holds and one should not expect "beyong a point". (Konkana and Irfan).

So, all in all the movie makes us sit back and think about what we are running after and what we are leaving behind.

PS: Shilpa has one of the best figures in Bollywood. The pic is the first on my blog which tilts towards beinf termed erotic

Open up (Notebook)

2007-05-08T17:48:00.000+05:30

Friends, after witnessing a lot of fights, some sensible (Bhute Vs Thite) and others just for the sake (Bhute Vs Bhise), I have finally migrated to Linux.
And guess what, I have made my recently purchased Compaq notebook totally open. It has only one OS and it is Kubuntu. Now the three of us Bhute (Ubuntu), Bhise (Xubuntu) included have Ubuntu with each enjoying his flavour of the Desktop.
The migration has been made possible after I learnt Solaris on joining Siemens.
I would like to thank Bhute for spending his time on me and help me migrate to the open world - I myself feel free. Though the change has been sudden and I don't have my old ways to fall back on, I am navigating the open world by RTFM.
Both my notebook and me will take some time to stabilise with the new OS. This would be the time of maximum learning. Also, I feel fully confident of using the net for more purposes as Linux is free of malice. So, the next step would be to configure my personal financial software and use it to track my investment portfolio online.

As for the lady in the pic, I simply can't see her marrying to Salman. It is difficult to accept. But, I have always maintained that man should always accept the truth and I have had the strength till this point in my life.

So, adhering to the principle of accepting the truth and conronting relaity head on, read the piece of article on this link http://valueresearchonline.com/story/storyview.asp?str=9903 and send in your comments.

Humko Deewana kar gayee

2007-04-14T13:05:00.000+05:30

Heard in the news today morning that Salman and Katrina are getting married.

This is the saddest day of my life. I have seen Katrina movies sitting alone in the theatre and now....

How the hell can she marry a man of her father's age. Forget that, how can she marry somebody who crushed people under his car and doesn't care about it?

Any volunteers for Jehad against Salman?

A new Beginning

2006-12-26T21:14:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends, we have now started earning money and saving for the future is part of earning a living. Our wants are unlimited and the means to satisfy them are limited.
But, good financial planning can make our life easy. Financial planning not only helps maximise the power of money, but also saves us from shocks and crises when we need the money not to satisy our want but need.
I would like to share with some of my knowledge and learnings which I have gained through my passion for the financial markets. I am starting a series with the first article dealing with investment options.

INVESTMENT BASICS

Definition: Part of the income set aside today to create higher value/purchasing power tomorrow.

Investment options:
1. Debt:
a) An investment instrument that gives non-negative returns.
b) Generally safer with low-moderate returns.
c) Available instruments:
i. National Saving Certificates (Post Office)
ii. Public and Employee provident funds
iii. Bank Fixed Deposits.
iv. Government and corporate Bonds (direct purchase)
v. Debt mutual funds (indirect bond purchase)
d) What returns may be expected?
Historically, till about 1998 (since socialist eras) interest rates were about 15-18%. Then came the phase of low interest rates: 8-9 %. Again, the interest rates have started moving upwards closer to 10%.
e) The first three instruments need very less deliberation from the investor, though investment in other debt instruments requires knowledge.
2. Equity:
Definition: Direct or indirect ownership stake in a company.
a) The chances of returns are in both directions ie positive as well as negative.
b) Equities are riskier and need careful active investment.
c) Higher the risk taken, higher the potential (not actual) returns.
d) What returns may be expected?
In the last 5 years ie since Jan 2002, top mutual funds have returned 50% annually ie Rs. 100 would have become Rs. 760.
But, there are market crashes which could wipe out the entire money eg the 2001 tech bubble where lot of companies lost all their value. The recent May 2006 crash where lot of companies lost 60-70% share price. One can take the examples of the 1929 or the 1969 US market crash. Thus, it also depends on the shares that one purchases.
There are phases in the stock markets, where the prices go nowhere eg Indian markets were in the 3000-4000 range between 2001 and 2003.
3. Bullion (Gold, Silver):
a) Jewelery is not an investment but an adornment.
b) Gold/silver having very less correlation to the stock markets is used to spread the risk of the portfolio.
c) Returns are generally low and it is used as a hedge against downslide.
4. Enterprising Assets (Timber, Commodities, Real Estate):
a) The house you stay in (single house) is not an investment, but a necessity.
b) Buying these assets to be considered to diversify your investments.
c) What returns may be expected?
Since 1960 till 2000, the best performing asset has been timber with 6% annualized returns.

Summary Matrix

Investment Risk Potential Return Volatility Liquidity
Debt Low-moderat e Low-moderate Low-moderate Low-moderate
Equity Moderate-high Moderate-high Moderate-high High
Bullion Low-moderate Low-moderate Low-moderate Moderate-high

INVESTMENT STRATEGY:
1. Investments are made to satisfy needs which may range from funding education (of self or children), marriage, house/car purchase, retirement corpus. Hence, an investor must start with a well defined need (ie set a target).
2. The different needs are to be satisfied at different times and hence the investment time period is different. This provides a guideline. For example, if you have to purchase a house in the next 3 months, you won't park those funds in equity as if the stock prices decrease, you will not be able to buy the house.
3. The investor should decide her risk-tolerance capacity ie who are her dependents and how badly she requires the invested money. If the investor has dependents (old parents, spouse/children who have to be supported) she cannot take too much risk.
4. The investor should then assess her risk taking capability ie how would she feel if her money decreases by 20% in 1 month: will she panic?

5. Thus, depending on the need (or aim), time, risk tolerance capacity, a strategic plan must be prepared to allocate the available funds for investment into the various asset classes. The risk-return (likely) scenarios of asset classes differ ( also with time) and the investment plan may be effectively implemented by investing fractional parts in the various asset classes.
6. A low-risk portfolio would consist more of debt than of equity and a more aggressive one the exact opposite.
7. The overall returns do not depend so much on the individual instruments (20%) as on asset allocation (80%). Thus, asset allocation is the key to achieve sustainable returns and to manage risk.

Definitions:
1. Asset: Something which you would be proud of passing to the next generation
2. Hedge: Strategy used to minimise the impact of a risk
3. Liquidity: Ease of converting the asset to cash.

Confessions of a sinner

2006-09-23T23:28:00.000+05:30

You may consider this as some kind of a postscript to my 'Ab toh Zinda Hoon' blog-entry.
After travelling in the company bus for the past couple of months, I now had to travel in train again on Saturday. Thinking that the trains would be relatively empty, I chose this mode of transport over road. But, then my calculations had gone wrong and I could clearly see that I would remain standing on Kandivli station for an hour before I could board any train.
A thought suddenly struck me, why not travel in 1st class till Malad and catch the starting train at 8.35 am? I would be travelling in 1st class for just one stopover and then get back to 2nd class. I don't know whether it was a big sin travelling in the compartment I was not entitled to. My circumstances dictated my actions. Can't decide who the bigger sinner is; me or the railway planning authorities who forced me to do such a thing?
Is there anything like right or wrong? Or the fact that I ensured because of my travelling 1st class, I didn't put anybody in inconvenience. (I was standing at the door without occupying anybody alse's place)

Friends!!

2006-07-16T23:27:00.000+05:30

What did I do in the four years of engineering- study, study and study?
Well yes, without getting the marks. But, thats not what I value. I made some great friends. Sitting late in the evening in the Gymkhana........that was bliss.
I made friends for life. And this I realise from a few weeks of parting. They will abuse, insult, make jokes about you, make u believe they have long gone past you, but they are the ones who will always remember you and be there for you.

Guys my heart goes out to you.

But, do remember life is very uncertain, anything can happen and thus please cherish each and every moment that you get. Life is not a input-output linear algebraic equation, its Fourier series, so enjoy life and be prepared to bear the burden of duties.

The pic says it all

2006-07-03T22:50:00.000+05:30

And for those who think my blog is dead, its dormant through all the churnings of the past few weeks. It will be back....

Win-O-Win

2006-05-21T09:43:00.000+05:30

IST 8.00pm, 20-05-2006, West Indies comes into bat. Within two overs, Gayle and Morton disappear. Lara comes into bat at score 1 with 2 wickets down. I am very happy, will get to see Lara batting for a long time.
IST 8.45pm, Lara out to a loose shot. He as well as me-totally frust. I totally lose hope from the match, though I keep track of the score as Sarwan is still in there.

Next day morning, I just check the results out of curiosity and I see a jubilant Bravo on cricinfo.
Moral: Never lose hope, try and keep trying even if the circumstances are totally against you. And yes, don't undermine the West Indies and especially Lara.

Ab to Zinda Hoo (Kaise?)

2006-05-18T18:18:00.000+05:30

What do you think? The freedom to make a decision is actually a boon or a pain?
Do you want to take all your decisions yourself or let someone better suited take it for you. If you are a liberal, you will pitch in for the first choice but do not dismiss the second. Because if you take decisions wihtout due considerations or those which you are not qualified to take, it may result in any consequence.

Today, I was standing on platform no.2, Kandivli. A local train came and stopped on platform 4. Apparently, somebody had pulled the chain and it was an unscheduled stop. The time to take a decision had come, and I ran to platform 4. Nobody was willing to take me inside the train and I had to remain hanging on the door.
Malad came and I started realising my mistake. My hands became numb and my legs started shaking half-way thruogh to Goregaon. It didn't take great intelligence to guess the future. But, I requested the passengers, told them my condiiton and they did help me somehow get in and I was saved. My initial assesment that there was space inside the train for one person was right but I overestimated my abilities of hanging on the doors.

A bad decision was just saved saved from becoming the last.

What I saw in my friends.

2006-05-08T21:23:00.000+05:30

I missed Varun's name when I first published this post. He was an obviuos choice for inclusion in the post and that is the exact reason why I missed writing about him. I would not be writing anything about him in this post. He has been the inspiration for me to start and continue writing the blog.

1. Yogesh Tarate: Has anybody seen this guy not smiling? Whatever the situation, whatever the challenge: this guy is always happy to be there at that moment. He taught me to look forward to life and face it with optimism.
2. Vidyadhar Bhise: “Nothing is impossible. Tension nahi hai, shyam tak ho jayega.” How to believe in yourself and especially your convictions is worth learning from this guy.
3. Rohit Bhute: Observing this guy will tell you how to approach technology and English language. This person has a sharp intellect, logical and clear thinking.
4. Pramod Gupta: The most honest and desirable friend one can have. He will never fail your trust and you can expect him to be always there for you. He also carries out his duties with utmost reverence. He is my guru-this is the guy who introduced me to the world of carom.
5. Vikas Dixit: Very quick witted: can think on his toes. He has a very good presence of mind. Has a good, cultured personality. Will die for a friend, but will never desert him. Learn friendship from him. One thing is for sure, you will enjoy his company-very humorous.
6. Aditya Save: Has immense potential to do hard work. Exactly when you think he can’t beyond this point, he overcomes all the barriers and surpasses your imagination.
7. Bhupendra Amodekar: I have always felt at home in his company. If you want to learn how to build and maintain a network of friends, learn this art from Dahisar Mania and especially its leader-Bhupi.
8. Anwesh Das: How to bare the brunt even though you don’t deserve such treatment and still come out of the situation smiling and ever stronger. He is very intelligent and multi-talented.
9. Sridhar Narayanan: If anybody can give competition to Save, he is that person. I am trying to solve the puzzle as to how this guy manages to do so many things at the time.
10. Hrishikesh Thite: How this man survives to live another day is a mystery to me. He would eat and drink just seconds before he would die exhausted but won’t do the same earlier as it was not required so early. He does all the work as late as possible (should have been born in Japan) but still manages to do the best job. One more thing, has excellent contacts, especially his saasu ani mavshi.
11. Swapnil Jadhav: This person does his job without bothering about the numerous jokers around him. Before you prepare to take guard, he is past the finishing line.
12. Nirbhay Singhal: This guy amazes with his energy and enthusiasm and an always ready attitude. He is the right person when you need adventurism and courage. Also, he is true to his name; absolutely nidar.
13. Piyush Shah: Just one sentence; He is the Karna of our class-an embodiment of all the qualities mentioned above.

What Rs. 50,000 crores can do!

2006-05-08T09:58:00.000+05:30

Anyone of the following things can be done with that kind of money.
• 10 IITs.
• 10 IIMs
• 10,000 primary schools assuming 5 crore capital investment per school. Each
school would teach at least 1000 students, thus the money would provide
education to 10 million children.
• Metro rail for Mumbai with a carrying capacity of 4 million per day.
• Slum rehabilitation: Assuming Rs. 1million per house, homes for 0.5 million
families.
• Employment guarantee: Assuming minimum wage of Rs. 100 per day for 200
days in a year, employment can be provided to 2.5 million people.
• 10 million computers with broadband connectivity for 1 year.
• CNG distribution infrastructure for at least 5 cities of the size of Mumbai.
• Sewage treatment (100%) for all the waste generated by Mumbai.
• Assuming Rs. 1 million per public toilet ( with proper maintenance and sewage
disposal) catering to 100 people per day, 0.5 million toilets can be built which
would service 50 million people (equivalent to 3 Mumbais).

Just imagine what difference each of the above measures would make to the Indian
society and economy.

But, you must be wondering from where to get the Rs. 50,000 crore. Simple: stop giving subsidies on petrol, diesel, LPG and kerosene and that kind of money will be available per year.

Waiting for the day

2006-05-03T22:52:00.000+05:30

Its 3rd May and less than a month to go for the last exam of Engineering to get over.
I a dying for this. The 8th Sem has given me quite bad experiences and I am in a mood to forget SP soon. But, in SPCE I also has a lot of memories and have made a lot of friends. I am planning to write a post similar the awards posts started by Varun, bhise, bhute. Hope u people will look forward for the same.
For the last few weeks since my incepttion into Bhute's team my life seems to have taken the turn that was written by Bhute and I totally into role playing. I have truly been roughed up as a random variable. But, guys Bhute dude has formed his teams of the right persons and I am fit for this rough job.

magic in pipeline?

2006-03-25T21:18:00.000+05:30

slept yesterday night at 2.30 am (was having a long chat with my father) and got up at 6.30 just to wake up to wet outfield and a delayed start to the West Indies Vs New Zeland Test. Play started and Lara came into bat in half an hour. watched Lara with anticipation and apprehension

Observations: lara had changed his style. His bat usually kisses the ground just before the bowler delivers the ball. Now it was hanging in the air. Maybe he wanted to be sure of not being late playing the ball. He was not having the extravagant "run" towards his off stump thus in the process exposing his leg stump. As a result he was able to leave deliveries that were much closer to his body.
Where do u see the world's leading run scorer working so hard and re-inventing himself after playing 15 years at the international level. Thats the grit, determination, flexibility and desire of Lara.
I get a feeling that a big inning is in the making. If not for the big score, one should see Lara bat for the patience, perseverance and determination to succeed whatever the odds that is reflected from his face and for the humility and honesty that he epitomises.

End of Lara?

2006-03-19T17:52:00.001+05:30

of late Lara has failed to gather runs. He has failed in 4 consecutive innings against the New Zelanders and in his previous tuor to Australia he had only one score out of six to show.
Is Lara past his time? Has the responsibility to single handedly carry the mantle of West Indian batting weighed him down? Or is it one of the slumps which will be overcomed by lara's characteristic determination and charisma.
Only time will tell-and Lara is trying very hard to woo the time on his side. He has actually lost substantial weight in the last 6 months.

Reporting from IIMA

2006-03-08T13:36:00.002+05:30

Guys, I am in IIMA and I tell you this is a fabulous place.
Anyone from SPCE will immediately be awed by the hostel itself leave alone the other parts.
Though, I wonder at the absence of any security(nobody says anything wherever you go) once you enter the campus, especially after all the blasts occuring and India rapidly turning into an Israel.
I will be having my interview tomorrow for the FPM programme.
Looking forward to playing a few games (basket ball,badminton etc) in the meantime.
The place looks very empty and serene though a lot of activity is going inside its belly.

About the comment which akshat has left.
Go and read the "Hadis: religious faith or fanaticism" by Ram Swarup at
You may also read other books like:
1. what happened to Hindu temples
2. The Calcutta Quran petition.

Its not just a case of clerics instigating the uneducated. It is also in the philosophy and history of Islam that one observes so much violence and intolerance in the Islamic world (not just India and not just a couple of years or decades).
Go and read about the concept of Darul-Islam.

PS: If you want a brief summary of the above books/issues, mail me I will write to you

Muslim phenomenon

2006-03-04T13:19:00.000+05:30

Reports that we read in the newspaper.
2 killed in Lucknow during anti-Bush protests.
HOW?
Protesters forced shopkeepers to shut shops which sparked off the fighting.
Police opened fire on mob when they expoded bombs and fired with pistols.

As a matter of fact-the prophet cartoons were never made/endorsed/published in USA.
So, don't the Muslims think/enquire before going on mass protests?
What is this way of protesting-exploding bombs? A man was shown firing in the air during the protests on NDTV. Everything starts and ends with violence-that too uninvitied and unnecessary?

Another news story that has become common in India- bomb expoded killing these many at this place (latest bus stand of Kozikode). India is becoming another Israel. Unless drastic measures are taken to contain the Muslims both at political/ideological and the security level, India is going to face a doom.

fida on hussain

2006-02-21T00:08:00.000+05:30

We all have heard, read and may have even witnessed the violent protests by Muslims all over the world. Though I would be commenting on them in my next post, I would like to state some facts and awaken some dormant people.

Maqbul Fida Hussain-the great Indian painter whi was mad after Madhuri Dixit had recently painted a nude painting of Bharat mata. Why are Hindus protesting against it?
Their religious feelings are hurt, why? Goddess is a concept only in Hindu relogion. Muslims don't worship anyone other than Allah. Hence they also refuse to sing Vande Mataram.
Hussain'spology doesn't count because he had painted Hindu gods nude a decade ago-Hanuman, Sita, Saraswati, Ganga, Yamuna etc. Does anybody protest that? What are the Hindus doing?

For the freedom loving people, why doesn;t he draw nuse pictures of Prophet Muhammad's daughter or the Prophet having sex with his 81 wives and innumerable concubines?
Why does he find only Hindu Gods?

To those people who prefer to be secular Hindus- what will happen to your own religion if u keep shut and accept all insults and onslaughts. Secularism is not non-religiosness.
I am putting up one of the nude paintings drawn by MF-this is just to reinforce my point and for those who might think that I have cooked up an issue.
The picture has been taken from MF's own website.

Pro Nitght JAL

2006-02-19T00:04:00.000+05:30

A was a rocking concert was presented by the Pakistani band Jal. SPCE and Mumbai will remeber the concert for a lot of days to come.
The evening started with a stampede to enter the Bhavan's ground. But all the dhakka bukki was tolerated because of the rocking performance from the band. Though people like me don't know much about music, I could easily guess that the band had the potential. On the face of it the style of all teh songs was similar, but the guitarist made the day playing different tunes for the same song.
People like Varun, Dani was in a trance and not in their senses to do anything ither than standing stunned and listen. People like me, manjrekar, Mallu, Vikas, Bhavesh and others were dancing to the end of our physical capabilities.
There was a slight glitch though. The calls of Hindustan zindabad were a little out of context and to some extent uncalled for. But, I must say we all enjoyed the Jhin jin Jhi Jhin Jhi jhin jhin dance (just as Varun enjoys the OAD dance.)

The above pic is dedicated to Vikas. Amrita looks very pretty in the pic though some work seems to have been done on her complexion

Shabri Kumbh

2006-02-13T23:43:00.000+05:30

In India 4 kumbh melas are organised at Nashik, Haridwar, Allahbad and Ujjain once in 12 years. These kumbh melas have a special religious significance and are attented by aprroximatelly 2 crore people over a period of 1 month.
A 5th Kumbh Mela has been initiated from this year named as SHABRI KUMBH MELA in the Dang district of Gujarat which is believed to be the famous Dandakaranya of the Ramayan era. Shabri was the great Ram bhakt who fed Ram with jhoote ber so that she could ascetain whether what he ate were the sweetest. The kumbh has a special significance for the tribals and Hindu society as a whole.
The main purpose of the mela was to awaken and spread awareness among the Hindus about the conversions carried out by the Cristians. Some statistics floated in the newspapers reveal that 5% of the population of Dang district (92% tribal) is christian. Christians constitute 0.5% of the total population of Gujarat. But the real extent of Christian penetration and conversion can be guaged from the fact that when we enter the District HQ at AHWA, we don't see the administration buildings but the big church that stands beside the administrative buildings.
One may try to downplay the issue of conversions but all the no-Hindu dominated regions of India have a tendency of secession.
There were 30% Hindus is pre-partition East Bengal, today there are less than7%.There were approx 25% Hindus in Pakistan before partition, today there are not even 1%.

Today we have talk of reservations in the army on the lines of religion as if parity of numbers in the army/police based on communal lines ensures safety of citizens.
We have Muslims worshipping at the Saraswati Mandir in BHOJSHALA (Madhya Pradesh) built by Raja BHOJ and the media accusing Hindus of aggression.
So, Indians and Hindus please become aware of the demography of India and the difference between Hindu religion and other monotheistic religions and save your future generations.

After the heavy handed propaganda, enjoy the pic. I am back to Katrina as demanded by the most avid appreciator of the pictures.

The engineers

2006-02-08T18:14:00.000+05:30

I would like to start elaborating the different motivations and ideations of the slang used in SPCE. I think varun has gone through the exercise but I would try and be more candid and condescending

Today is the day of the engineers.
Who is an engineer?

There are many among us who joined engineering because of our marks and because we thought this would be the right line. But, after year or two realised that we are no good at the technical nittie-gritties. So what happens when one suddenly realises that the one thing he has been hoping and working for is not his? The person starts finding recluse in something which he enjoys and finds a certain peace in being. This something may be drinking, gymkhana, self mockery, derisioning others, collecting pictures of models etc.
So, the "Hum bhi hai Josh main" comes in. So what if I faint before the external examiner? I am the tiger in the gymkhana. The engineers make their own turf and they are the kings there. It is the only place where they get respect and attention and a feeling of self-worth. The engineers are happy that there is at least one thing on which they have a hang and to guard it they give everything they have.
Such are engineers and each of us is an engineer to some or the other extent.

Writing off the post from the Engineer of SPCE........

PS: There was bhari demand from our very own pic collector to post a pic.
So here is a former Miss India finalist (1997). She is "marathi manoos jaga ho: stuff.

I have changed the pic on popular demand and if u people still don't like it... then do whatever u would have advised me to do if our roles were interchanged

pic post

2006-01-31T08:39:00.000+05:30

My friend says that posting a picture is trivialising the power of a blog, but he doesn't understand that posting a pic is the motivation behing the very post. Without the pic, the words don't come. This pic is dedicated to the one who believes in the same ideology. So enjoy Takia, but just remember door se, no masti. Leave all the other feelings for me.

Tere ghar mein der hai andher nahi

2006-01-23T21:44:00.000+05:30

After attempting a marathon this year and fainting just a few meters before the finish line, I come to know now that after all the finish line I was looking at is not the only one in the run. I was still good enough for the long race.

Decryption- Got 96.53 percentile in CAT 2005, no calls from any of the IIMs.
Little chance of getting calls from other good institutes.
But, bingo! I have applied for the Fellow Programme in management and I get call from IIM C. So now I get up, refresh myself and start preparation for the ultimate marathon.

Now time for the babe, katrina is a bomb and her latest picture with Akki Baba is going to rock. I just need some of u friends to come with me so that I don't go wild.

Less controvercial post (for a change)

2006-01-10T22:28:00.000+05:30

Now-a-days most of my conversations turn into altercations and I am in a firefighting position trying to heckle out a compromise. That Emraan always sees in the opposite direction. But, thats good, I am learning deliberation and negotiation.
Taking that topic apart, I was wondering whether I would be able to keep commitments.
But I am determined and come what may amey will succeed.
I am going to Aurangabad and will write a post only on my return in the weekend. Hope u people would have enjoyed the double RD (drives) lecture on Thursday at 9. ( I am not confirming that it will take place though RD will be more than happy.)

About this girl Ayesha Takia, she is the cutest actress in Bollywood, if u don't like her face, u know what to look for. But, the traditional Indian definition of beauty applied to her is more than enough to mesmerise a guy. And she is our age, we can aank utha ke dekh at her.

2006-01-03T21:15:00.000+05:30

GRANT ROAD
To Narak and Back

This is a story of an innocent young adult named Kunal. He studies in a famous engineering college and is doing his BE project in a reputed company. His project partner is a guy called Emraan.
One day, they need to purchase a few electronic components. So, the two decide to go to Lamington Road: a place in Mumbai famous for the availability of electronic products and many other services. The two purchase the required items and Emraan suggests that they also get the switch board from the same area on which to mount the electronic components. Kunal unsuspectingly agrees to this and to get the box drilled follows Emraan who leads the way.
Kunal is fond of travelling and hence is looking at the buildings, shops, restaurants and the people around. Slowly a pattern starts emerging. He can’t read the sign boards on the shops-the script is unknown to him. Then, he notices that the people around don’t look the same as he is used to see in his 20 year sojourn on earth. He doesn’t care much though. He moves ahead behind Emraan. But, soon enough he realises that he is in a foreign land equipped only with his tongue which can make compliant noises. He is completely at the mercy of Emraan and the latter behaves as if he is well aware of this. Emraan is a changed person and he is no longer the sombre, good natured, humble person. Kunal tries hard not to get frightened and least of all to show it on his face. He knows that behaving like a dumb dog is his only chance of ret urning to his family-dead or alive.
Kunal is lucky; this is just a trailer shown by Emraan to him. They get the work of drilling the plastic box done from a slightly familiar looking man. Kunal is relieved to see a familiar face though he is not reassured on seeing him-only the face is like the others-everything else might be the same. After returning home, Kunal is disturbed but, he has learnt his lessons and immediately goes to the community gathering, for the first time, held in his locality by some elders.

Reservation policy

2005-12-14T10:22:00.000+05:30

Hindu society is sectionalised into different castes with each caste having its own customs and traditions and some unique feature. But, over the years this diversity has been turned into a vertical divide with some castes treating themselves as superior and privileged and the others considered as undeserving. To counter this deprivation of opportunities and equal status, the Policy of Reservations was propounded with reservations in education and jobs. The purpose is to bring greater equality in the society by removing the economic and social barriers.
But, the policy which was initially envisioned for a period of 10 years has been extended again and again. This clearly shows that the policy hasn’t yielded the desired results as it has had to be extended and the end goal is still out of sight. Only a section of the reserved class has taken advantage of the reservation policy with large numbers still deprived. Some people have taken advantage over 2-3 generations while many have not been benefited at all. Also there are large numbers of people outside the SC/STs who are poor and downtrodden- upper castes included. A survey by the Government of Karnataka in one of the districts in 1971 found that the Brahmins were the poorest and most illiterate of all.
One more problem with the policy is the apparent lack of stress on quality. Exclusively reserving a seat in an institution may deprive a much more deserving candidate than getting it. Also, it is a human tendency to become complacent when he knows that only this much is sufficient and no more is needed. The issue of gap in the opportunities available in urban/semi-urban and rural areas is a major roadblock in ensuring social justice. Though the challenge is to provide equal opportunities to everyone despite ones caste, there is a fear of reverse discrimination. Caste identities are becoming more pronounced and attaining political/electoral overtones, where nothing also and only caste matters.
Thus, the society is getting more fragmented. Instead on fighting on one piece of bread, we must try and earn more bread and in the process ensure that everybody gets a piece of it. Opportunities must be provided to everybody, but the reward should be given according to the hard work put in and merit. The challenge is to wipe out the caste antagonism and create a just society which lives in harmony and no underneath friction. Instead of reservation on caste lines, we can have special support for students who have been incapacitated by adverse economic and social conditions.

Disclaimer: The views expresses are not meant to hurt anybody but rather are an attempt to write down my feeling and opinions about the topic. The whole passage was written in 23 mins and thus is not a true representation of my mind.

Concise press statement on Sachin's record

2005-12-13T17:28:00.000+05:30

Tendulkar has hit his 35th test century and broken the world record of yet another Indian protégé- Gavaskar. This feat is just a reminder and the accolades a small recognition of his talents and contribution to Indian cricket.
Tendulkar’s career graph has been flat with consistently good performances under all conditions. He has also been compared to the best ever and here is where I would like to make my dissenting voice heard. Sachin has tended to fail on critical occasions e.g. WC 1999 Super six match against Australia. Though he is a match winner, he hasn’t performed feats like Lara- the 153* in a final score of 313-9 to win the Test against Australia in 1999. Also, Lara raises his game according to the occasion- Australian tour of West Indies in 1999, first match of WC 2003 against South Africa, his first Test century 277 against Australia at Sydney are among the numerous such occasions. Sachin’s one day performance has overshadowed his Test batting which requires more patience, stamina and application of the basics and thus Sachin has remained the king of One day cricket but there are others in the Test arena.
So, at this moment of jubilation we Indians should not compare him with anybody as he is a genre in himself and every great man has qualities which make him unique. We should learn to acknowledge talent outside India and not become sycophants.
Did you know that Sachin has been awarded by the Dept of Income tax for paying the largest tax and he runs orphanages for children donating both time and money? Thus we must also celebrate his off the field heroics and hope that India gets such world beaters in as many different fields as possible.

A Notice

2005-12-12T23:10:00.000+05:30

I want to improve my writing skills and especially learn writing an essay(short term plan) with the XAT coming up. So treat my further posts as effort towards that and all literary critics are welcome. Don't couter my arguments suggest me better ways of writing and ommissions. Co-operation welcomed

Some news clippings

2005-11-30T22:16:00.000+05:30

Rai's murder seems to have ended the last gang rivalry prevailing in the area, and the underworld has become unipolar.
Samajwadi Party MLA Atiq Ahmed is now left in control from Kanpur to Allahabad, while the area from around Allahabad, Varanasi and on to Ballia is Ansari's domain.
RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin holds fort from Ballia to Siwan in Bihar.
The three are in close nexus, sharing information, shooters, and forming a drug and gun-running ring.

source:www.ndtv.com
what is the home minister doing? Probably Raosaheb Ramrao should be sent tellimg him that these dons run dance bars there.

Lara gungan

2005-11-29T22:42:00.000+05:30

Off late my friend has been irritating me by criticising Lara. So Varun a detailed analysis will come out by next year. My reading, writing, poetic, researching all such skills will come out of the project. Actually I wanted to carry out a career analysis of Lara and u have given me the extra reason.Remember, I have never compared Lara with Sachin- u were the first to bring in his name.
Till that time enjoy this pic. One thing Varun I will chose u even in front of her( got the message?) though it would be a very difficult choice. I am calling truce with u-stop Lara bashing.

Should Lara suffer the same fate as Waugh and Taylor?

2005-11-28T13:26:00.000+05:30

Mat I NO Runs HS1 HS2 HS3 Ave 100 50 ducks

10 19 0 1035 196 176 153 54.47 4 2 2
15 26 1 1732 400* 196 176 69.28 6 3 2
20 36 1 2087 400* 196 176 59.62 7 5 4
25 45 2 2815 400* 209 202 65.46 10 6 4
40 71 2 4482 400* 221 209 64.95 15 14 5

Well the above are the statistics of Lara. One can easily read the pattern. In a team whose batsmen who don't even average 40 Lara is performing consistently. He has also retired from one-dayers to prolong his Test career. And don't forget his mentoring of Sarwan and Bravo, the latter attributed his century ar Brisbane to Lara's advice.

The celebrations

2005-11-26T18:14:00.000+05:30

Dancing to the tune Singer Varun

2005-11-26T00:00:00.000+05:30

Few weeks ago Varun was singing:
Gela Gela Lara Gela Gela
Now he back to singing the same tune with a different lyrics.
Gela gela gela gela gela
Ball boundary la gela gela gela.

The first image shows Lara struggling, the second taking the pains of the effort and the third shows his subdues celebration and humble acknowledgement to the overwhelmed crowd.

I will finish off with this quote from cricinfo
"Poor umpiring decisions have been a major reason for his difficulties as the series was lost in two matches, but Lara did not complain and set about rectifying his personal situation with an innings most geniuses wouldn't have bothered with."

Post election drama

2005-11-24T22:00:00.000+05:30

There was rioting in the BJP office in Patna because Modi was made deputy CM instead of Chaubey or Yadav. Now few years back the BJP could declare itself a party with a difference. But then what can one expect given that the BJP president is going to step down just now at the age of 79. The challenge in Bihar is performance that is visible. This is going to be difficult- more thatn anything else there needs to be attitudinal change and this could be termed as easy as it might be classified difficult.
Lets hope the tag of cultural heartland of India becomes its economic heartland as well.

Lot is being said about the Right to Information Act and how it will change the way in which governance is carried out. But I was just wondering y weren't ppl od Maharashtra informed enough that the state had a similar act before the central act was enacted. Maybe the government employees will far more used to the act.
I would also like to write about the tribal Act but not now- too tensed with the exams.

Electoral Tamasha

2005-11-22T16:40:00.000+05:30

It is hilarious to know that the Shiv Sena candidate from Malvan couldn't even save his deposit. This is what happens to a party which ridicule's popular leaders. The popular leaders may not be good, but they win u elections. There is a message for BJP in this- Uma Bharti must be treated with more respect.
Udhav Thackray has alledged rigging in Malvan and he not even as graceful as Laloo to accept defeat. Its time the reins of Shiv Sena are handed to Raj. He is the person who can enthuse some life into the dormant Sena.

Now to Bihar. It has been a major victory for NDA. SOme factors that contributed to their victory-
1. upper caste votes
2. Most backward caste votes
3. Muslim votes for JDU (at least thet didn't vote aggressively against the BJP)
4. General discontent with RJD:Laloo lost heavily in the Muslim-Yadav belt.
There is one thing the BJP can do. Tow the Hindu line but don't antagonise the Muslims and make them vote against you- exactly what Sudheendra Kulkarni said. The BJP can get votes from the common Muslim.

Reservation for Muslims in IITs and IIMs

2005-11-17T20:14:00.000+05:30

Is there anybody out there who can tell me how to officially convert to Islam so that I can benefit from the proposal to reserve seats for Muslims. This year the change is not going to occur, but if I don't get through CAT, I want to make sure that by the next time I appear for CAT, I am a Muslim on paper.
Comments appreciated.

testing times

2005-11-08T21:23:00.000+05:30

I have to do the OOAD submission in 2 days and have just started with it. whenver I sit with paper and pen in front of me, I just can't think anything up. This subject is driving me to the edge os my senses. A couple of years before had I faced this subject I would have definitely had a nervous break down, but 3 years in SPCE and that too electrical and I have learnt to do things however difficult they are.
The other day Varun put up a nice pic and I am still mesmerized by this gal Namitha. So I did some google for her and got hold of a few stunning pics. She is damn beatiful man.

Freedom of choice

2005-10-29T22:07:00.000+05:30

There are very many horrible miseries in life. One may suffer from physical pain, mental agony, tragedy, nature's wrath etc. On a particulat evening when I was coming home from the college, I was standing at Andheri Railway station PF 1. The trains usually come every 3-4 mins and so one has to hardly wait for one. But then it was around 7.15 pm and ther trains at this time are very crowded and come at a frequency of 10 mins. But then there are also trains to go to kandivli from PF-4(they are ususlly emptier). So I thought lets check up if there is a train from PF-4.What I learnt was this-There is train coming on PF-4 in 1 min and to PF-1 in another 1min. I was faced with the situation as to which train do I catch? which train would be less crowded and would give me a pleasanter journey. The decision making was the most painful (that was the day of our project presentation aur alreadyshot baitha tha).
Now I am faced with another choice THE ELECTIVE. After the OOAD experience, I am really worried. Going by my career goals (management) Project management is a good subject. But, is it a subject of which I would like to give a paper? (theoretical). The teaching methodology of PG kuch ras nahi aai, but then IIMS would be something like this only except that they would be strict and demanding. Again what would a subject like FACTS teach me? Am I going to use the subject matter in my future life?
Most of the OOAD guys are apprehensive and have the feeling that we would be inviting trouble by taking the subject.
I would be learning PM in a B-school, if I ever get into one. And I don't know how much practical applications I will learn from the elective.

And that is y I say no tragedy or situation is as bad as the one in which u are left alone to make a choice and then bear responsibility for it.
the most painful is the freedom to choose

Security of an Indian citizen

2005-10-29T21:40:00.000+05:30

The news media has been crying joarse about the Delhi serial blasts showing scenes from the roadside and hospitals and government offices....
What we need to do is understand the implication of such blasts. Till a decade ago, militancy was faced only in J&K, but now it is a national phenomenon-Ayodhya, Akshardham, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and the list continues. India is getting engulfed in the grip of Islamic terrorism. But what are we doing-reserving seats for the minorities in government institutions. A fool can also understand that the Jehad against Hindustan is to subjugate and control it and not merely to ensure what a minority rightly deserves. The rights and freedom of especially the minorities is wel guarded by the constitution and special bodies have been set up to ensure this. So claiming that Muslims are ill-treated (treated as secondary citizens is totally baseless.)

Today the situation is such that any Indian citizen cannot dare to venture out of house without thinking of the possibility of a bomb blast.
The other dimension of the security scenario is the Naxalite violence wihch has engulfed the heart of the Indian geographic territory. Everyday we have news reports of violence in Chhastisgard, Gadchirauli, Andhra, Jharkhand etc. The Indian state needs to ensure the safety od every citizen and the terrorists and the naxalites need to be dealt with severely and without any mercy.

On the contrary, what signals are we getting? Ceasefire with NAGA militants, unconditional talks with ULFA and Naxalites in Andhra.(The Naxalite problem is getting worse with the Maoists coming in.) Let alone this, Bangladesi rifles some office barer comes to New Delhi and accuses the hand of India behind the 493 bomb blasts that occured in Bangladesh recently. (Imagine, this country owes its esistence to India). India does nothing. There are repots of the Assam militants shifting base from Bhutan to Bangladesh and the ISI running dozeens of camps near the Indian border in Bangladesi territory. What is India doing about it? Bangladesh is neither a nuclear power nor can its army sustain an attack from India.

I didn't want to talk about this in this post, but then as I amin the mood for it...
I was reading a bit about the history of ASSAM. Today some 6 districts are Muslim majority and another 5-6 are on a verge of becoming one:with percentages of 35, 40, 49, 46 etc. During the partition, Jinnah demanded that Assam be a part of Pakistan. There has been mass migration of Bangladeshi Muslims in to Assam from the thirties.
There has been a statement by one Bangladeshi Prime minister that Bangladesh is economically viable only of Assam is clubbed with it. We need to wake up to these realities if well crafted, intentional plan to change the demography of India and usurp her territory by the Islamists.
The situatoin is becoming similar in West Bengal with the Muslim population in the border districts showing tremendous increase. Also if u are aware, Muslims constitute some 25-30 percent of Mumbai. rest of Maharastra just 8 percent.

Havoc

2005-10-18T21:19:00.000+05:30

The last week has been some kind of a bad dream. We are going nowhere with our project. SP had a blast. The submissions including OOAD CAPS and all coming at the same time:very very frustrating. But then hard times bring in opportunities and the wise cease on the slightest scent of opportunity, so I plan to do the same.
But then then going is tough and so I(and you) need a nasha and here it is. Spot the thing every man is trying to find in a girl.

Lara ala... Lara gela

2005-10-07T17:52:00.000+05:30

After observing lara in the Super Series one day games a notion in my mind for some days has got a concretised. See his attitude on the field, its like he is some big hury. He doesn't give himself any time to settle down and get his eye in. He starts with his strokeplay as soon as he arrives at the crease and plays some senseless shots which are categorized as awesome but only when he is in form (at the crease for large enough time). He just gets out playing those big drives so early in his innings.
What I feel is that, Lara's time in one days is over and he no longer has the attitude and temperament for this form of the game. He should concentrate all his efforts on the Tests where he is an angel and it is for Test cricket that he is born.

Back to . . .

2005-09-30T13:51:00.000+05:30

I am back after a long and irritating week where my net was down.
Varun has written a lot of pleasant things about me and I am very embarassed. I am not as intelligent and edifying as he has suggested. I am a person capable of doing everything, I can be with all types of people, so no tabooing. About the "principles" things that varun has said, yes I fervently believe in them, but if sometime later I think that the chains with which I have restricted my Kurukshetra have no meaning, I discard them shamelessly and without any guilt or any other reservation. One has to accept if he was wrong and correct and adapt. I make new rules for me and YES, I do believe in people but I am not afraid to kick them in the face if they do the same thing to me WITHOUT any provocation from me. As to the fact that it was me whose actions started the confrontation, then I like to quickly diffuse the tension because I think fighting is sheer waste of energy.

The great SPtrical debate

2005-09-20T18:25:00.000+05:30

We people have been debating amongst ourselves on many topics viz. Hindutva, Hindu society, reservations etc. The feeling I get is this- we don't listen to each other(basically all of us are poor listeners), we are not sensitive to each others views adn the debate of late is on the verge of transforming itself into an altercation.
Since we are not going to accept what the other says and not going to change even an iota, lets stop the topic at least for the time being. We can better invest our energies in the OOAD dance (and studies).

musings

2005-09-16T22:09:00.000+05:30

Today was a routine day with some sleep, some studies, some chatting, some quarelling, but no masti (net was down).
Life is hell with all these studies, can't complete even 10% of the target for the day. Have been programming for hours and have been only able to have a long chat with save, bhute and ONE ybusformation program(function).
======================================================================
Heard that some Muslim organisations have threatened Sania Mirza over her on-court attire. I would openly invite her to come to the Hindu fold, there are no restrictions on the individual, and he/she is free to do anything. Even atheists are permitted, so she can still read Namaz 5 times a day and call herself Hindu. Atleast she would be saved fron the fundamentalists.(actually leaving Islam deserves a punishment which is instant death, but then maybe the Indian constitution will come to her rescue.)
=======================================================================
"Hutch Telecom Reportedly Helping Christian Fundraising Drive in India"
This news item has appeared on the RSS website (go and read it if interested)
It says that Hutch provided the adresses of its customers to WorldVision (a christian organisation) and the latter had been sending letters requesting to sponsor a child with his education.
I confirm this because I received such a letter. The letter doesn;t mention that it is a christian Organisation. I was saved as a few days back I had received a similar letter from CRY but it mentioned that it is christian organisation.
So people awake and resist "harping of souls" by the missionaries.

management??????

2005-09-13T22:00:00.000+05:30

I am planning to get into a good management institute and get a MBA degree. So I go and buy the CAT bulletin-where do I have to go? DADAR;imagine:no counter available in the 6 million odd populated Mumbai suburbs FINE. Then the shocker, vital pages containing the instructions to fill the forms is missing (not printed).Imagine the IIMS are the top management institutes in India.
Next I want to buy the forms fr XAT, guess where do I go:DADAR, now what? The forms are over. Now this is the performance from the management institutes thenselves:what will happen of India? The Government sector is the only hope, I have never seen any government office worse than this. Even our Rekha Madam is better, though she is rude atleast she does the work and that true completely and properly.
But maybe these institutes and their chairmen (one of whose photos is uploaded) teach us to manage and live in dreams and never come out of them.

2005-09-08T21:56:00.000+05:30

Today a full paltan came to my house for ganpati and we had a good time(though patya got a bit bored as we were behaving like stupid idiot dogs out in the streets in the wee hours of the night).
It ws soothing to know that I have such good friends (some of them are very unwanted though like our very own newly christened Gholap). I hope he doesn't read this. Well, its sad that bhise can't come because of his injury and my heart goes out to him and I do sincerely hope that he gets well soon.

A Humble Beginning

2005-09-06T20:18:00.000+05:30

This is my first post and I hope people will read my blog intermittently (to see the pics atleast). Today has been a boring day though I did the CAPS practical for just 10 mins and got the attendance( that was fun). Had kind words from Varun which really made me happy. Signing off without writing anything major as this is just a test message.