Read somewhere today!
Subroto Bagchi, on difference between writing short columns and writing a book. I don't remember the exact line, but it's to this effect.
Writing a column is like flirting, where as a book is intense, it's like having a baby.
Me just happy flirting with blogposts :-)
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
The High-Performance Entrepreneur
The High-Performance Entrepreneur: Golden Rules for Success in Today's World by Subroto Bagchi
It's a must read for anybody with an iota of interest in entrepreneurship, and also any one who's working/thinking of working/worked for a startup. Yeah, it's kind of focused on building a large enterprise (read, like MindTree) and the chapters(18 of them) might feel little discontinuous. But Bagchi strikes a chord, with his simple narrative/story telling style of writing. Make no mistake it's not a romantic take on entrepreneurship. It's a brutally honest at the same time well meaning, candid & compelling read. Kind of must have manual. Each of 18 chapters are just plain awesome and I really can't highlight a line or two here, since the book's full of highlights. Let me just post the interesting stuff in the end!
The Last Word
You did not read a 'how to' book before you fell in love. Yet, in some ways, the books on romance may have helped.
You really don't need to read this book – for that matter any book- to start your own enterprise.
And lest I forget, no amount of reading about romance is equal to the act of falling in love. Like many books on romance, I hope this one will only help you in some small way every now and then. But remember, the actual experience is in the enactment.
So, go on and do it.
It's a must read for anybody with an iota of interest in entrepreneurship, and also any one who's working/thinking of working/worked for a startup. Yeah, it's kind of focused on building a large enterprise (read, like MindTree) and the chapters(18 of them) might feel little discontinuous. But Bagchi strikes a chord, with his simple narrative/story telling style of writing. Make no mistake it's not a romantic take on entrepreneurship. It's a brutally honest at the same time well meaning, candid & compelling read. Kind of must have manual. Each of 18 chapters are just plain awesome and I really can't highlight a line or two here, since the book's full of highlights. Let me just post the interesting stuff in the end!
The Last Word
You did not read a 'how to' book before you fell in love. Yet, in some ways, the books on romance may have helped.
You really don't need to read this book – for that matter any book- to start your own enterprise.
And lest I forget, no amount of reading about romance is equal to the act of falling in love. Like many books on romance, I hope this one will only help you in some small way every now and then. But remember, the actual experience is in the enactment.
So, go on and do it.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Unfinished Tales-4
Shree Kumar's @ it again!
This time, Cycling in the North-East.
Crazy, damn cool, or just plain awesome...
Wishing Shree n KP a wonderful time.
Unfinished Tales-4
This time, Cycling in the North-East.
Crazy, damn cool, or just plain awesome...
Wishing Shree n KP a wonderful time.
Unfinished Tales-4
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
On the top of the world, again!
Just when the KP's becoming a distant memory, we did trek last week.
Why do we, on the weekend, instead of enjoying the creature comforts in the city, decide to sweat, struggle n trek? To make new friends, rejuvenate, have fun, enjoy the beauty of nature? Or just try pushing yourself to the limits?
It's all of the above and more.
As you push your (lazy!) body/mind, you realize, how tiny you are in front of nature, the importance of food and preciousness of water, appreciate and agree that nature's most beautiful, things are never perfect but you realize the strength you have to adapt, and how everybody's equal in front of nature. The solitude, away from maddening crowd, traffic, pollution and the hurry/rush. Relaxed, @ ur own pace, hardly anything artificial in sight. And finally when you make it to the top, the feeling of conquering/on the top of the world...and with the good sleep, magically the exhaustion's ignored.Then there's the beautiful sunrise/sunset on the top of the mountains, as you walk through the clouds, near to the stars, with the cold breeze(the air that's so pure), under moonlight...the feeling of inexplicable joy...
Heaven meets earth, on the top of mountains...there are hardly few feelings which come close, and hardly any words do justice to the moment.
More than anything else I believe the journey's to the soul, than the body...And last week's one such journey @ Kotachadri.
More (travelogue/photos) to follow...
Update
Operation trek failed, not the fun - Part 1
ThammaNNa creates havoc - daaLige tattarisida yuvakaru
Operation trek failed, not the fun - Part 2
(Wait for the snaps!)
Why do we, on the weekend, instead of enjoying the creature comforts in the city, decide to sweat, struggle n trek? To make new friends, rejuvenate, have fun, enjoy the beauty of nature? Or just try pushing yourself to the limits?
It's all of the above and more.
As you push your (lazy!) body/mind, you realize, how tiny you are in front of nature, the importance of food and preciousness of water, appreciate and agree that nature's most beautiful, things are never perfect but you realize the strength you have to adapt, and how everybody's equal in front of nature. The solitude, away from maddening crowd, traffic, pollution and the hurry/rush. Relaxed, @ ur own pace, hardly anything artificial in sight. And finally when you make it to the top, the feeling of conquering/on the top of the world...and with the good sleep, magically the exhaustion's ignored.Then there's the beautiful sunrise/sunset on the top of the mountains, as you walk through the clouds, near to the stars, with the cold breeze(the air that's so pure), under moonlight...the feeling of inexplicable joy...
Heaven meets earth, on the top of mountains...there are hardly few feelings which come close, and hardly any words do justice to the moment.
More than anything else I believe the journey's to the soul, than the body...And last week's one such journey @ Kotachadri.
More (travelogue/photos) to follow...
Update
Operation trek failed, not the fun - Part 1
ThammaNNa creates havoc - daaLige tattarisida yuvakaru
Operation trek failed, not the fun - Part 2
(Wait for the snaps!)
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
KISS
Keep It Simple Stupid!
This one's an awesome post.
UPDATE - Two More Links
The Windows Shutdown crapfest
The Design of the Mac OS X Shutdown Feature
This one's an awesome post.
UPDATE - Two More Links
The Windows Shutdown crapfest
The Design of the Mac OS X Shutdown Feature
Friday, November 17, 2006
A Case Study of FWD mails - Preview!
Some love them n some hate them or rather you love some of them n hate some of them, but u can't ignore the FWD mails/mailers!
Now Lemme put it this way....
The types of FWD Mails/Mailers!
1)**** of the day:- No offence meant! Replace **** with thought, song, picture, shayari, joke, gyaan, tip...the list goes on.
While some of them are so good that you actually look forward to them in the morning just like your morning tea/coffee, some irritate you to no end, prompting you to hit, shift+delete as hard as u want to hit their head with hammer, as u soon as u see their name in your outlook client!
But in any case, just can't help admiring the perseverance though!
2)Fwd Fwd Fwd Spam brigade, everyone's equal:- These guys/gals just fwd anything to everything, to everyone, irrespective of gender, age, religion. The mail that you sent to them bounces back to you like a boomerang as a Fwd as fast as the network allows to be! They are so addicted to hit Fwd on any mail that they receive that, sometimes you might even get their B'day wish as a fwd to you. Anyway salute them for sense of equality!
3)Free goodies, Stupid:- Fwd this mail to so many people and win free goodies/money!:-) These chaps should already have free ipods, cell phones from Nokia/Sony Ericson, enough to open a shop and money from Microsoft and AOL, enough to buy Microsoft itself. Wonder wots in their heads in the space allocated for thing called brain!
4)Religious/Faith healer fools and the do-gooder idiots:- If you don't fwd this mail with Ganesh picture across to 10 people, misfortune will hit you. If you send this senti poem to 15 people, your dream gal/guy will fall head over heels in love with you....
It's the same fools/idiots, who do social service by asking for A+ve blood, urgently needed, for a child(never existed!). And they save you from the (hoax)virus in ppt which will crash your hard disc!
Note: - The categories 2, 3 and 4 are dangerous. They are the ones prone to virus attacks/spread virus out of their negligence/ignorance.They are the ones most likely to leak your id to spammers, unknowingly displaying your id in To/cc list instead of bcc.(Or 1)is it to proudly display the no. of contacts 2)With honest intention of avoiding resending among the people in the list?)
6)The Specialists:- These category consists of only Patriotic mails, or only Kannada mails, or Only inspirational ones. Not bad if you are interested.
7)Poor Man's Group Chat:- When the Chat clients are blocked, start a (group) chat thread through mails. Mainly gossip/nonsense just to kill time, making an interesting read in the end, sometimes! Specialized and used to devastating effect by Infy benchers, creating havoc!
8)Selective Fwd:- By far the best category.They take time to select who all should be sent which all fwd mails and format it/add their own comments.Though it's just a Fwd mail, you gotta appreciate the a personal touch. Nice way to keep in touch as well.
9)Subscription Model:- As a nice practice, some of the mailers end up creating a yahoo/google group to broadcast the mails and some of them actually create their own groups in contacts based on your subscription request.Pretty neat.
A detailed case study will follow sometime when I find time. Till then Happy Forwarding!:-)
Now Lemme put it this way....
The types of FWD Mails/Mailers!
1)**** of the day:- No offence meant! Replace **** with thought, song, picture, shayari, joke, gyaan, tip...the list goes on.
While some of them are so good that you actually look forward to them in the morning just like your morning tea/coffee, some irritate you to no end, prompting you to hit, shift+delete as hard as u want to hit their head with hammer, as u soon as u see their name in your outlook client!
But in any case, just can't help admiring the perseverance though!
2)Fwd Fwd Fwd Spam brigade, everyone's equal:- These guys/gals just fwd anything to everything, to everyone, irrespective of gender, age, religion. The mail that you sent to them bounces back to you like a boomerang as a Fwd as fast as the network allows to be! They are so addicted to hit Fwd on any mail that they receive that, sometimes you might even get their B'day wish as a fwd to you. Anyway salute them for sense of equality!
3)Free goodies, Stupid:- Fwd this mail to so many people and win free goodies/money!:-) These chaps should already have free ipods, cell phones from Nokia/Sony Ericson, enough to open a shop and money from Microsoft and AOL, enough to buy Microsoft itself. Wonder wots in their heads in the space allocated for thing called brain!
4)Religious/Faith healer fools and the do-gooder idiots:- If you don't fwd this mail with Ganesh picture across to 10 people, misfortune will hit you. If you send this senti poem to 15 people, your dream gal/guy will fall head over heels in love with you....
It's the same fools/idiots, who do social service by asking for A+ve blood, urgently needed, for a child(never existed!). And they save you from the (hoax)virus in ppt which will crash your hard disc!
Note: - The categories 2, 3 and 4 are dangerous. They are the ones prone to virus attacks/spread virus out of their negligence/ignorance.They are the ones most likely to leak your id to spammers, unknowingly displaying your id in To/cc list instead of bcc.(Or 1)is it to proudly display the no. of contacts 2)With honest intention of avoiding resending among the people in the list?)
6)The Specialists:- These category consists of only Patriotic mails, or only Kannada mails, or Only inspirational ones. Not bad if you are interested.
7)Poor Man's Group Chat:- When the Chat clients are blocked, start a (group) chat thread through mails. Mainly gossip/nonsense just to kill time, making an interesting read in the end, sometimes! Specialized and used to devastating effect by Infy benchers, creating havoc!
8)Selective Fwd:- By far the best category.They take time to select who all should be sent which all fwd mails and format it/add their own comments.Though it's just a Fwd mail, you gotta appreciate the a personal touch. Nice way to keep in touch as well.
9)Subscription Model:- As a nice practice, some of the mailers end up creating a yahoo/google group to broadcast the mails and some of them actually create their own groups in contacts based on your subscription request.Pretty neat.
A detailed case study will follow sometime when I find time. Till then Happy Forwarding!:-)
Friday, November 10, 2006
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Path to Knowledge
Yeah, I am huge fan of Subroto Bagchi's writings. Finally, today I could nail down one single place from where I can access all his writings in various media. Whenever you find time, go through each one of them n each word's worth cherishing...
KNOWLEDGE CENTER
Hmm...Well, I am busy reading...
KNOWLEDGE CENTER
Hmm...Well, I am busy reading...
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Odd Ball Out!
Yesterday, while doing some cleanup job @ my recently shifted house, I just tripped on this awesome puzzle.
Try stimulating your brain!
"You are given thirteen balls; All but one of these weigh alike. It is not known whether the odd ball is lighter or heavier. Can you, in just three weighs, separate the odd ball out and also determine whether the same is heavier or lighter than others."
Try stimulating your brain!
"You are given thirteen balls; All but one of these weigh alike. It is not known whether the odd ball is lighter or heavier. Can you, in just three weighs, separate the odd ball out and also determine whether the same is heavier or lighter than others."
Friday, October 13, 2006
Dishonesty of Love Songs!
Read somewhere today!:-)
It's not that I don't like love songs. It's just that I think they are..well, dishonest I suppose. See, the happy ones aren't about love. They're about being mad with love, and in love with that feeling... and they're fine giddy things, but they aren't true. And the sad ones... well they're not about love either. They're about pain and hurt and people only like them when that's how they're feeling. The songs say, "I've had it bad too...maybe worse than you. I know what it's like." And that's all they are, just friendly voices to comfort you in the dark. I still quite like them, mind.
It's not that I don't like love songs. It's just that I think they are..well, dishonest I suppose. See, the happy ones aren't about love. They're about being mad with love, and in love with that feeling... and they're fine giddy things, but they aren't true. And the sad ones... well they're not about love either. They're about pain and hurt and people only like them when that's how they're feeling. The songs say, "I've had it bad too...maybe worse than you. I know what it's like." And that's all they are, just friendly voices to comfort you in the dark. I still quite like them, mind.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Extreme Programming: A gentle introduction
That's the topic of my presentation in office. Was little concerned about holding the participants interest for around 45 mins(without a ppt to bank on!)
I did try few tips from presentation zen. Long way to go :-(
But going by the feedbacks, it's a good start though!:-)
Coming back to the subject, Extreme Programming(XP) is a deliberate and disciplined approach to software development, and the most interesting aspect of it is pair programming.
The Rules n Practices are surprisingly simple.
Do read through www.extremeprogramming.org ,the entire site's worth a read.
I did try few tips from presentation zen. Long way to go :-(
But going by the feedbacks, it's a good start though!:-)
Coming back to the subject, Extreme Programming(XP) is a deliberate and disciplined approach to software development, and the most interesting aspect of it is pair programming.
The Rules n Practices are surprisingly simple.
Do read through www.extremeprogramming.org ,the entire site's worth a read.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Go Soul-Searching!
While organizing my Internet favorites list, came across some awesome links. These four are the best, in the inspirational category.Worth taking time to read and you might end up doing a little bit of soul-searching!:-)
How does one build a successful technical career? Subroto Bagchi(co-founder and COO, MindTree Consulting) gives the nine key factors.
Upgrade yourself from the world of coding...
The amazing Commencement address by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, to the graduating class of Stanford, delivered on June 12, 2005. An absolute must-read-and-think-about.
'You've got to find what you love,' Jobs says...
Welcome Address by Subroto Bagchi, Chief Operating Officer, MindTree Consulting Delivered to the Class of 2006 at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, July 2nd 2004.
Go kiss the world...
Words Of Wisdom from Goals Guy
Ten Things Every Kid Should Know ...
How does one build a successful technical career? Subroto Bagchi(co-founder and COO, MindTree Consulting) gives the nine key factors.
Upgrade yourself from the world of coding...
The amazing Commencement address by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, to the graduating class of Stanford, delivered on June 12, 2005. An absolute must-read-and-think-about.
'You've got to find what you love,' Jobs says...
Welcome Address by Subroto Bagchi, Chief Operating Officer, MindTree Consulting Delivered to the Class of 2006 at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, July 2nd 2004.
Go kiss the world...
Words Of Wisdom from Goals Guy
Ten Things Every Kid Should Know ...
Friday, September 15, 2006
Happy Engineer's Day to All
I take the vision which comes from dreams
and apply the magic of science and mathematics,
adding the heritage of my profession
and my knowledge of nature's materials
to create a design.
I organize the efforts and skills of my fellow workers
employing the capital of the thrifty
and the products of many industries,
and together we work toward our goal
undaunted by hazards and obstacles.
And when we have completed our task
all can see
that the dreams and plans have materialized
for the comfort and welfare of all.
I am an Engineer
I serve mankind
by making dreams come true.
- Anon (supposedly found pinned to a site hut during the construction of the Konkan railway)
Monday, September 11, 2006
Organizations: How To Beat the Monday Morning Blues?
Declare leave on Monday !:-)
PJ?
Nope, think of it.You work on Saturday, and Sunday being...well, Sunday, freak out!
And then you have all of Monday to relax, or to get your work done in any(government) office.You can shop in that 'always full on weekends' mall at your snail's pace with salesperson enthusiastically attending you(else you have to run behind him on the weekend) or watch that blockbuster movie for which you don't get ticket on weekends. Add to it the bonus of less traffic and more parking space. And the list of pros goes on...
And coming to the cons, working on Saturday spoils the Friday evening! Some use Saturday for preparatons for the Sunday! And in the corporate world, you have clients, and lot of other details to take care of.But at least we can have it as optional, to work on Saturday and take leave on Monday/any other day.(not sure how many organizations already have this flexi leave policy!)
Asking for too much? I don't think so.
PJ?
Nope, think of it.You work on Saturday, and Sunday being...well, Sunday, freak out!
And then you have all of Monday to relax, or to get your work done in any(government) office.You can shop in that 'always full on weekends' mall at your snail's pace with salesperson enthusiastically attending you(else you have to run behind him on the weekend) or watch that blockbuster movie for which you don't get ticket on weekends. Add to it the bonus of less traffic and more parking space. And the list of pros goes on...
And coming to the cons, working on Saturday spoils the Friday evening! Some use Saturday for preparatons for the Sunday! And in the corporate world, you have clients, and lot of other details to take care of.But at least we can have it as optional, to work on Saturday and take leave on Monday/any other day.(not sure how many organizations already have this flexi leave policy!)
Asking for too much? I don't think so.
Friday, September 01, 2006
The Personal MBA
The Personal MBA concept is already a year old!
Check the PMBA Manifesto
Whether you like the concept or not, I am sure you will find quite a few must read books.
The bottomline is, to quote from PMBA Manifesto, Just set aside some dedicated reading time, pick up a good book, learn as much as you can, and go out and make great things happen.
Check the PMBA Manifesto
Whether you like the concept or not, I am sure you will find quite a few must read books.
The bottomline is, to quote from PMBA Manifesto, Just set aside some dedicated reading time, pick up a good book, learn as much as you can, and go out and make great things happen.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Thought of the day?!
Thought of the day, through one of the subscription mails!
A friend is someone who will help you move. A real friend is someone who will help you move a body
?!:-)
A friend is someone who will help you move. A real friend is someone who will help you move a body
?!:-)
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Nostalgia!
We had trekked Kumara Parvatha on 29 and 30th of April, 2006.
A Life Time Experience...
The Gang of Boys, 10 of us(from left) Nitin, Manjunath MS, Manjunath V, Shekar, Raghu, Narayan, Me, Shyam, Sachin,Raghav.
Thanks to Sachin's travelogue(which finally materialized!), relive the moments here.
Finally Kukke...
it started...
Target reached!!!
Check most of the the fotoes on Narayan's album / Nitin's Album.
A Life Time Experience...
The Gang of Boys, 10 of us(from left) Nitin, Manjunath MS, Manjunath V, Shekar, Raghu, Narayan, Me, Shyam, Sachin,Raghav.
Thanks to Sachin's travelogue(which finally materialized!), relive the moments here.
Finally Kukke...
it started...
Target reached!!!
Check most of the the fotoes on Narayan's album / Nitin's Album.
Monday, August 21, 2006
PAUSE effect!
Even during the hectic schedule, the PAUSE effect kept our project bay lively and cheerful!
PAUSE effect? : - Just when the first line, in an energetic tone, gives you a high, after the PAUSE, comes the second line, delivered in an innocent tone, brings you down to earth with a thud! And, of course, induces a smile :-)
--
1) You are good...PAUSE...for nothing !:-)
2) Good job man...PAUSE...but not enough !:-)
Next Version! - Good job man...PAUSE...but not enough...PAUSE (to further rub salt into the wounds!)...keep working !:-)
3) Good job man...PAUSE...but not code !:-)
4) I am impressed...PAUSE...but it's not a good impression !:-)
5) Keep it up...PAUSE (VPJ!)...but not so high that you can't fetch it later !:-)
6) You are the guy/gal...PAUSE...I am not looking for !:-)
7) Well, on the other hand...PAUSE...there are five fingers !:-)
8)You have come a long way...PAUSE...but down !:-)
9) I have no doubt...PAUSE...that I have a doubt !:-)
On Messenger!
10) You there?...PAUSE...be there !:-)
When some one comes to your bay!
11) I have observed one thing...PAUSE...that wherever u go...PAUSE...there you are !:-)
12) That’s the best/right way...PAUSE (pointing towards the direction he/she came from)... to come here !:-)
--
Thanks to partners in crime, Narasimha and Vasudha, and of course to all the victims !:-)
Caution: - Be careful while using the PAUSE effect. Somebody might even head butt you !:-)
In few minutes as Narasimha completes reading this, he'll rush to me with his trademark smile and say...Good job Vinay...PAUSE...
:-(
:-)
Update 1
13) I thought all the girls are same, till I met you...PAUSE...and then I realised that some are even worse!:-)
PAUSE effect? : - Just when the first line, in an energetic tone, gives you a high, after the PAUSE, comes the second line, delivered in an innocent tone, brings you down to earth with a thud! And, of course, induces a smile :-)
--
1) You are good...PAUSE...for nothing !:-)
2) Good job man...PAUSE...but not enough !:-)
Next Version! - Good job man...PAUSE...but not enough...PAUSE (to further rub salt into the wounds!)...keep working !:-)
3) Good job man...PAUSE...but not code !:-)
4) I am impressed...PAUSE...but it's not a good impression !:-)
5) Keep it up...PAUSE (VPJ!)...but not so high that you can't fetch it later !:-)
6) You are the guy/gal...PAUSE...I am not looking for !:-)
7) Well, on the other hand...PAUSE...there are five fingers !:-)
8)You have come a long way...PAUSE...but down !:-)
9) I have no doubt...PAUSE...that I have a doubt !:-)
On Messenger!
10) You there?...PAUSE...be there !:-)
When some one comes to your bay!
11) I have observed one thing...PAUSE...that wherever u go...PAUSE...there you are !:-)
12) That’s the best/right way...PAUSE (pointing towards the direction he/she came from)... to come here !:-)
--
Thanks to partners in crime, Narasimha and Vasudha, and of course to all the victims !:-)
Caution: - Be careful while using the PAUSE effect. Somebody might even head butt you !:-)
In few minutes as Narasimha completes reading this, he'll rush to me with his trademark smile and say...Good job Vinay...PAUSE...
:-(
:-)
Update 1
13) I thought all the girls are same, till I met you...PAUSE...and then I realised that some are even worse!:-)
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Sri Krishna Janmastami
Krishna, revered as a full and complete incarnation is regarded as the epitome of transcendental qualities.
Playing pranks, performing miraculous deeds and charming gopis (and all!) with his flute, he is loved by one and all.
And he gave the world Bhagavad-Gita, universally renowned as the jewel of India's spiritual wisdom.
Lemme quote my fav line...
"You have a right to perform your prescribed action, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your action.
Never consider yourself the cause of the results your activities, and never be associated to not doing your duty."
(Translated from Sanskrit: -"Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana,Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhurmatey Sangostva Akarmani")
Has anything better been ever heard/read?
Happy Janmashtami
Playing pranks, performing miraculous deeds and charming gopis (and all!) with his flute, he is loved by one and all.
And he gave the world Bhagavad-Gita, universally renowned as the jewel of India's spiritual wisdom.
Lemme quote my fav line...
"You have a right to perform your prescribed action, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your action.
Never consider yourself the cause of the results your activities, and never be associated to not doing your duty."
(Translated from Sanskrit: -"Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana,Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhurmatey Sangostva Akarmani")
Has anything better been ever heard/read?
Happy Janmashtami
Independence Day
On behalf of our Independence Day, lemme paste this beautiful piece (one of my favs) again.
India is an experience that none should miss. It is a unique blend of the old and new, of tradition and modernity, of a reassuring continuity with exciting change. It is a place, where centuries still exist side by side. Its culture and history...perhaps tempt you to explore…
Yeah our culture (based on the idea of tolerance and universal acceptance) has held us together amidst the testing times.
But the contradictions, yet hold!
The nuclear, IT giant, emerging super power, still can't feed some of its children.
While the "Indian analytical mind' is our biggest strength, corruption/government (lack of a visionary leader) hold us back from fast lane.
You don't have to look beyond the traffic signals, for contradiction, where u c beggars around swanky cars.
Blessed with a beautiful landscape but our lack of cleanliness leaves much to be desired.
While the Indian hospitality is appreciated, better not to comment about time sense.
While we are, no more, third world/land of snake charmers, we still are 'emerging' super power. If we haven't yet arrived on world stage, though having potential, blame it on our own complacency/procrastination, 'chalta hai' attitude.
As we salute our heroes of Independence and march ahead with new vigor to our rightful place under Sun, how about making a resolution to overcome the 'chalta hai' attitude, now?
India is an experience that none should miss. It is a unique blend of the old and new, of tradition and modernity, of a reassuring continuity with exciting change. It is a place, where centuries still exist side by side. Its culture and history...perhaps tempt you to explore…
Yeah our culture (based on the idea of tolerance and universal acceptance) has held us together amidst the testing times.
But the contradictions, yet hold!
The nuclear, IT giant, emerging super power, still can't feed some of its children.
While the "Indian analytical mind' is our biggest strength, corruption/government (lack of a visionary leader) hold us back from fast lane.
You don't have to look beyond the traffic signals, for contradiction, where u c beggars around swanky cars.
Blessed with a beautiful landscape but our lack of cleanliness leaves much to be desired.
While the Indian hospitality is appreciated, better not to comment about time sense.
While we are, no more, third world/land of snake charmers, we still are 'emerging' super power. If we haven't yet arrived on world stage, though having potential, blame it on our own complacency/procrastination, 'chalta hai' attitude.
As we salute our heroes of Independence and march ahead with new vigor to our rightful place under Sun, how about making a resolution to overcome the 'chalta hai' attitude, now?
Monday, August 14, 2006
Omkara wows
Salute Vishal Bharadwaj.Even Shakespeare would have been proud of this adoption of Othello.
Don't listen to all the trash talk like 'extensive use of foul language and hard to understand UP dialect'. If you are hell bent on nit picking it's easy to find flaws, but this one's a special movie, go watch it.
Rarely Raja Sen does a good job in rediff ! There's nothing much left for me to say.
Ajay, Konkan, Naseer all are extraordinary but we expect them to be! Kareena is quite ok too, Vivek's good first time after 'Company' and Bips is sensual! Well, direction, casting, music, screenplay, editing, costumes, settings/location...everything is just perfect.
A lot has been written about Saif's performance in Omkara, but all of them inevitably fall short.(Is it the same dude who did DCH?)
Yeah we knew he could act after DCH days (Thanks to Kal Ho Na Ho, Ek Haseena Thi, Salam Namaste, Hum Tum, Parineeta, Being Cyrus).But here he's exceptional, you love him and hate him @ the same time.
In the defining moment of the movie where Langda is passed over for promotion, see the range of expressions that pass across Saif’s face – from surprise to bewilderment to shock to disappointment to resentment to rage to cold acceptance...
Heart warming performance...
Evil has never been so lip smackingly good! Just give him all the awards, now.
Don't listen to all the trash talk like 'extensive use of foul language and hard to understand UP dialect'. If you are hell bent on nit picking it's easy to find flaws, but this one's a special movie, go watch it.
Rarely Raja Sen does a good job in rediff ! There's nothing much left for me to say.
Ajay, Konkan, Naseer all are extraordinary but we expect them to be! Kareena is quite ok too, Vivek's good first time after 'Company' and Bips is sensual! Well, direction, casting, music, screenplay, editing, costumes, settings/location...everything is just perfect.
A lot has been written about Saif's performance in Omkara, but all of them inevitably fall short.(Is it the same dude who did DCH?)
Yeah we knew he could act after DCH days (Thanks to Kal Ho Na Ho, Ek Haseena Thi, Salam Namaste, Hum Tum, Parineeta, Being Cyrus).But here he's exceptional, you love him and hate him @ the same time.
In the defining moment of the movie where Langda is passed over for promotion, see the range of expressions that pass across Saif’s face – from surprise to bewilderment to shock to disappointment to resentment to rage to cold acceptance...
Heart warming performance...
Evil has never been so lip smackingly good! Just give him all the awards, now.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Heh Heh...
The Secrets of Pure Managers - from the Indian Software Industry
I sincerely wish that you couldn't relate!:-)
I sincerely wish that you couldn't relate!:-)
Friday, June 23, 2006
Me Taged!
Sushma taged me! So here I scrible..
1.Grab the book nearest to you, turn on page 18 and find line 4
Hmm...find only my scribble pad, nothin on/like page 18, but this is wot I scribbled last(read on some blog page!)
"Death Meditation" a practice in Tibetan monasteries,to put it simply, you just wake up in the morning and stay there in bed, lying down, without opening your eyes. And you say to yourself:
"I'm going to die tonight. What would be the best thing to do with the rest of my time?"
2. Stretch your left arm as far as you can
Ahh...hit my comp's CPU!
3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?
MTV - ofcourse some Himesh Reshimayya song :-(
4.Without looking, guess what time it is?
1:00 PM
5. Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?
12:45! Me ahead of time by 15 mins!
Actually, Hmm...15 mins more for lunch!:-(
:-)
6.With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
Could I Have This Kiss Forever - Enrique Iglesias, on my headphone
7.When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
5 mins ago, had a mango juice!
8.Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
Blue sky!
9.What are you wearing?
Eternal blue jeans n my current fav, faded (overused!) brown slim fit shirt with with sleeves rolled up
10.Did you dream last night?
Naah
11. When did you last laugh?
Few mins back...shared some stupid joke with colleague!
12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?
Paint (dark pink wall of the office!)
13. Seen anything weird lately?
Lots(including this survey n me!)
14. What do you think of this quiz?
Really not gettin the right word :-(
15.What is the last film you saw?
Nagara Haavu on Udaya TV!
16. If you became a multimillionaire overnight, what would you buy?
Land Cruiser, a bungalow beside sea side...marry HER...n wokey me empty!
17.Tell me something about you that I dunno.
I am very shy and overly sentimental by nature.
18.If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
Make everybody tell the truth and make things simpler.
19.Do you like to dance?
Hmm...yeah
20.George Bush.?
'Laloo n Deve Gowda are better with Arjun Singh comin very close'.Commenting any further would be below my dignity!
21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
baby gal!
22.Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?
u got it :-) baby boy!
23.Would you ever consider living abroad?
Contemplatin sometime in US...
24. What do you want GOD to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?
Dude, so u r back from onsite!
25.Name a friend who should be tagged
Praveen Kulkarni
1.Grab the book nearest to you, turn on page 18 and find line 4
Hmm...find only my scribble pad, nothin on/like page 18, but this is wot I scribbled last(read on some blog page!)
"Death Meditation" a practice in Tibetan monasteries,to put it simply, you just wake up in the morning and stay there in bed, lying down, without opening your eyes. And you say to yourself:
"I'm going to die tonight. What would be the best thing to do with the rest of my time?"
2. Stretch your left arm as far as you can
Ahh...hit my comp's CPU!
3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?
MTV - ofcourse some Himesh Reshimayya song :-(
4.Without looking, guess what time it is?
1:00 PM
5. Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?
12:45! Me ahead of time by 15 mins!
Actually, Hmm...15 mins more for lunch!:-(
:-)
6.With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
Could I Have This Kiss Forever - Enrique Iglesias, on my headphone
7.When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
5 mins ago, had a mango juice!
8.Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
Blue sky!
9.What are you wearing?
Eternal blue jeans n my current fav, faded (overused!) brown slim fit shirt with with sleeves rolled up
10.Did you dream last night?
Naah
11. When did you last laugh?
Few mins back...shared some stupid joke with colleague!
12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?
Paint (dark pink wall of the office!)
13. Seen anything weird lately?
Lots(including this survey n me!)
14. What do you think of this quiz?
Really not gettin the right word :-(
15.What is the last film you saw?
Nagara Haavu on Udaya TV!
16. If you became a multimillionaire overnight, what would you buy?
Land Cruiser, a bungalow beside sea side...marry HER...n wokey me empty!
17.Tell me something about you that I dunno.
I am very shy and overly sentimental by nature.
18.If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
Make everybody tell the truth and make things simpler.
19.Do you like to dance?
Hmm...yeah
20.George Bush.?
'Laloo n Deve Gowda are better with Arjun Singh comin very close'.Commenting any further would be below my dignity!
21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
baby gal!
22.Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?
u got it :-) baby boy!
23.Would you ever consider living abroad?
Contemplatin sometime in US...
24. What do you want GOD to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?
Dude, so u r back from onsite!
25.Name a friend who should be tagged
Praveen Kulkarni
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Inspiring...
"Inspiring you for a better tomorrow" says the pravsworld website caption. Having subscribed for more than a year, I vouch for it. More often than not you get very meaningful thoughts. Here's a, recent, one of those many gems.
If you are not yet one among those millions of subscribers then a glance @ this page's all it will take to make you one!
n just tripped on this line while wandering through WWW
Who, being loved, is poor?-Oscar Wilde
Hmm...
If you are not yet one among those millions of subscribers then a glance @ this page's all it will take to make you one!
n just tripped on this line while wandering through WWW
Who, being loved, is poor?-Oscar Wilde
Hmm...
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Monday, May 22, 2006
What's happening to us?
Caste-based reservation in higher education and in private industry too? WTF?
We are aware of the proposed, utterly idiotic caste-based reservation in higher education and in private industry and what's happening around it. I am short of words to express my angst.
Yeah, I am taking it for granted that, we are all against such a disgusting thought. How can it make sense to anyone?
Most of us have signed petitions and forwarded email/sms against it, which is not quite enough, as we can see.
Well, we had enough and it's high time that we act. As some us already have, let's join the protests(black-out, march, hunger strike...). Let's fight the evil.
I, personally request you to read through this in case you have missed it on TV.HRD Minister Arjun Singh, in an exclusive interview to Karan Thapar on CNN-IBN's Devil's Advocate
This one throws more light.
Read, learn, think and decide how we want the tomorrow to be in our country.(If you haven't already).ACT NOW.
We are aware of the proposed, utterly idiotic caste-based reservation in higher education and in private industry and what's happening around it. I am short of words to express my angst.
Yeah, I am taking it for granted that, we are all against such a disgusting thought. How can it make sense to anyone?
Most of us have signed petitions and forwarded email/sms against it, which is not quite enough, as we can see.
Well, we had enough and it's high time that we act. As some us already have, let's join the protests(black-out, march, hunger strike...). Let's fight the evil.
I, personally request you to read through this in case you have missed it on TV.HRD Minister Arjun Singh, in an exclusive interview to Karan Thapar on CNN-IBN's Devil's Advocate
This one throws more light.
Read, learn, think and decide how we want the tomorrow to be in our country.(If you haven't already).ACT NOW.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Happenings Around...
*First there's sad demise of Dr. Raj Kumar and the violence that followed in Banglore's sadder.
*And now one of the promising leaders Promod Mahajan's battling for life.Pray for him
*Today, Scott McNealy, the cofounder of Sun Microsystems Inc. stepped down as CEO after 22 years.
I remember reading High Noon: The Inside Story of Scott McNealy and the Rise of Sun Microsystems during college days. Yeah it's a good read.
And here's why I like him :-)
*Just tripped on this one liner from another maverick , Ram Gopal Varma.
Which is the scariest movie you’ve seen?
RGV(In Indiatimes) : “Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham. I will never be able to make a film like that. I was very scared when I watched it. ” :-)
*And now one of the promising leaders Promod Mahajan's battling for life.Pray for him
*Today, Scott McNealy, the cofounder of Sun Microsystems Inc. stepped down as CEO after 22 years.
I remember reading High Noon: The Inside Story of Scott McNealy and the Rise of Sun Microsystems during college days. Yeah it's a good read.
And here's why I like him :-)
*Just tripped on this one liner from another maverick , Ram Gopal Varma.
Which is the scariest movie you’ve seen?
RGV(In Indiatimes) : “Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham. I will never be able to make a film like that. I was very scared when I watched it. ” :-)
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Anil Kumble, A true champion
The one word that you can associate perfectly with Anil Kumble is perseverance.
Every time he's hit for runs/a catch is dropped off his bowling, no animated gestures, back to his bowling mark, perhaps with his steely resolve only stronger. No wild celebrations with every wicket. And he's called Smiling Assassin for reasons.
And now with half a thousand test victims...Did you say nice guys always finish second?!
At a time where style takes over substance, he's one of our most under celebrated champions.
In a career spanning over 15 years he has weathered, injuries, insults like dropping from ODI and Test squad, poor overseas record(till recently), criticism that he's no classical leg spinner, all with dignity.
We took him for granted.When everything happens there's Kumble and when nothing happens there's always Kumble to fall back to!
I never saw him with a drooping shoulder.No gifted genius like Shane Warne/Muralitharan , he outlived his talent, constantly trying out new things, those subtle variations and importantly, more often than not, he thought the batsmen out(true to his eng traits!)
If look at India's test victories, Kumble is @ the center of the each frame.
No doubt, he would have made a great captain as well, sad that he never got an opportunity.
No wonder,when you look back/think of the man, more than the Hero Cup heroics, the perfect 10 against Pak, you recall, that inspirational act of bowling with a fractured jaw, against Windies...
True to the man, Braveheart Kumble...Keep going...
Every time he's hit for runs/a catch is dropped off his bowling, no animated gestures, back to his bowling mark, perhaps with his steely resolve only stronger. No wild celebrations with every wicket. And he's called Smiling Assassin for reasons.
And now with half a thousand test victims...Did you say nice guys always finish second?!
At a time where style takes over substance, he's one of our most under celebrated champions.
In a career spanning over 15 years he has weathered, injuries, insults like dropping from ODI and Test squad, poor overseas record(till recently), criticism that he's no classical leg spinner, all with dignity.
We took him for granted.When everything happens there's Kumble and when nothing happens there's always Kumble to fall back to!
I never saw him with a drooping shoulder.No gifted genius like Shane Warne/Muralitharan , he outlived his talent, constantly trying out new things, those subtle variations and importantly, more often than not, he thought the batsmen out(true to his eng traits!)
If look at India's test victories, Kumble is @ the center of the each frame.
No doubt, he would have made a great captain as well, sad that he never got an opportunity.
No wonder,when you look back/think of the man, more than the Hero Cup heroics, the perfect 10 against Pak, you recall, that inspirational act of bowling with a fractured jaw, against Windies...
True to the man, Braveheart Kumble...Keep going...
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
'Rang De Basanthi' Rocks?
Watched RDB, long time back with office gang. A very late review!
After watchin the movie, I felt a lump in my throat, I thought this nation has a future.After seeing the tears, standing ovation and applause of audience I thought, this movie is going to cause a revolution...n I wanted to do something for the nation, after hearing
"aye saala
abhi abhi huaa yaqeen ki aag hai mujh mein kahi..."
Relax...its' just a movie...:-)
You might have read above extreme kind of reviews in innumerable no. of reviews of RDB(and some, the addicts of same old dance-fight routine Hindi movies, callin it bakwas as well). Let me put it straight, I won't call it a classic, but it's a well made, must watch movie of recent times.
Well, if u havn't seen/heard the story, here's the synopsis...thanks to youthcurry
Inspired by a diary written by her grandfather, foreign kudi comes to India to make a documentary on India’s
revolutionary freedom fighters – Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad and others who laid down their life for the country.
She casts five young men for these roles – none of whom can identify with the idea of making any such sacrifices.
‘Is desh mein hai kya? Population?? Corruption???” says one. “Mujhe to jaise degree mili I’m outta here”.
Meanwhile they’re hanging loose at the masti ki ‘paathshala’.
But, somewhere along the way the reluctant actors find themselves moved by the passion of the long-dead revolutionaries.
And inspired to actually stand up and take on the System.
In the film both the 1930s British India and the India today run parallel and intersect with each other at crucial points.
As the film reaches its resolution the line between past and present blurs, as they become one in spirit...
It's a fun movie with a message, an attempt to merge preachy Swades with breezy DCH.
The first half, we all can connect to, where the college goers hangout in tea shops n dhabas, where as in second half it kinda gets filmy(the scenes of lathi charge, compared to Jallianwala Bhag massacre? killing of defence minister and the shootout in climax).
Is the system that bad? Is it the right way to change it? Isn't the movie too simplistic?
Over analyzing might result in a documentary, but that's where this movie scores, reaching out to masses, a right mix of past and present, meaningful cinema and entertainment value...
The method is quite debatable but not the intent/concept.It does succeed as a whistle blower, coming 2 the the catch line 'A Generation Awakens'. a la Bhagat Singh.
For proof search/check blogger/technocrati returning thousands of results!
The movie has raw feel/edginess to keep you engaged and the entire crew is simply first rate(that's an understatement), a true ensemble movie.
Watch out Aamir's method acting in the scene where he cries inconsolably with food stuck in his mouth, over his friend's death, quite effective though! And the vintage Rehman music's a high point.
To borrow it from Sue(The 'foreign kudi' character in the movie, "this story needs to be told")
This movie needs to be watched...
Monday, February 20, 2006
A piece of E=mc2...
E=mc2: A Biography of the World's Most Famous Equation is a good read.
Maintains a fine balance between science and history without dwelling too much into details of both!
It's not just about Einstein or E=mc2 .Rather it explains in simple words what led(read, inventions and lives of other scientists) to the equation E= mc2 and then what the equation led to.
This piece best describes the mood of the book.
What guided Einstein was that, in his mid-twenties he found the unknown intriguing. He felt compelled to comprehend what might have been intended for our Universe by The Old One(as he referred to his notion of God).
"We are in a position," Einstein explained alter, "of a little child entering a huge library, whose walls are covered to the ceiling with books in so many different languages.
The child knows someone must have written those books does not know who or how.It does not understand the languages in which they are written. The child notes a definite plan in the arrangement of books, a mysterious order, which it does not comprehend but only dimly suspects."
Maintains a fine balance between science and history without dwelling too much into details of both!
It's not just about Einstein or E=mc2 .Rather it explains in simple words what led(read, inventions and lives of other scientists) to the equation E= mc2 and then what the equation led to.
This piece best describes the mood of the book.
What guided Einstein was that, in his mid-twenties he found the unknown intriguing. He felt compelled to comprehend what might have been intended for our Universe by The Old One(as he referred to his notion of God).
"We are in a position," Einstein explained alter, "of a little child entering a huge library, whose walls are covered to the ceiling with books in so many different languages.
The child knows someone must have written those books does not know who or how.It does not understand the languages in which they are written. The child notes a definite plan in the arrangement of books, a mysterious order, which it does not comprehend but only dimly suspects."
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Friday, February 03, 2006
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Save trees. Trees save
Yeah, I love trees n jus cudn't help postin this one.Lookin @ it, there is no scope for any more words from me.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Wishing you a Happy n Happening New Year
One more year ends...and another one begins...time to look bak n ahead?!
2 lines to remember durin ur reflections/resolutions
"If everything seems under control you're just not going fast enough -.Mario Andretti"
n my fav Robert Frost line "Miles to go before I sleep..."
Happy, happening, fun-filled new year to all :-)
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